Makaha is a small town located on Oahu’s west coast, about
34 miles (55 km) northwest of Honolulu. It’s a residential
community and besides a supermarket and some small restaurants
and convenience stores, there isn’t much else there.
The town’s main attraction is its beach, mainly among surfers.
In fact,
Makaha Beach is among the most popular beaches in the
world. Every year surf events take place here, such as the
Town and Country Pro, the Buffalo's Big Board Classic and
the Rell Sunn's Menehune Surfing Championships. It’s an
ideal spot for surfers of all skill levels. Wave heights
reach anywhere from 2 feet just behind the reef to 30+ feet
at the so-called Makaha Bowl. Some of the biggest waves
ever have been ridden here, including Greg Noll’s famous
ride during the huge swell of 1969 when waves were between
40 to 50 feet high.
The beach wide and is also a nice spot for sunbathing and
swimming. The best area for going into the water to just
play and swim is the center of the beach, where there is
no reef. The waves are calmest during the summer when there
may be no surf at all. The high waves usually occur in the
winter months. When the surf is up, besides the waves the
beach is known for its strong rip currents. Then it is recommended
to stay out of the water.
Another popular activity at Makaha Beach is diving. The
Makaha Caverns is a great dive spot featuring a series of
arches, caverns and overhanging ledges, located just outside
of the surfing area. But usually diving is only possible
during calm waters.
Makaha encompasses 5.2 square miles (13.6 km²). The town’s
total population in the 2000 census was 7,753. The population
density was 3,324.7 people per square mile (1,284.7/km²).
The racial makeup was the following: 19.00% White, 1.39%
African American, 0.71% Native American, 15.23% Asian, 21.90%
Pacific Islander, 1.63% from other races, and 40.14% from
two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race was 17.86%
of the population.
The median income for a household was $35,674, and the median
income for a family was $36,563. Males had a median income
of $34,081 versus $24,606 for females. The per capita income
was $14,267. About 23.9% of the population was below the
poverty line.
Makaha in Bullet Points
Residential community and besides a supermarket
and some small restaurants and convenience stores, there
isn’t much else there
Town’s main attraction is its beach, mainly among
surfers
Every year surf events take place here
Some of the biggest waves ever have been ridden
here
Makaha Location
Makaha is a small town located on Oahu’s west coast, about
34 miles (55 km) northwest of Honolulu.
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