Mākaha, Hawaii

{{Short description|Census-designated place in Hawaii, United States}} {{Use American English|date=July 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}} {{Infobox settlement  |official_name = Mākaha |other_name = |native_name = |nickname = |settlement_type = Census-designated place |motto =  |image_skyline = Mākaha Valley, Hawaii.jpg |imagesize = |image_caption = View of Mākaha Valley |image_flag = |flag_size = |image_seal = |seal_size = |image_shield = |shield_size = |image_blank_emblem = |blank_emblem_type = |blank_emblem_size = |image_map = Honolulu_County_Hawaii_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Makaha_Highlighted.svg |mapsize = |map_caption = Location in Honolulu County and the state of Hawaii |image_map1 = |mapsize1 = |map_caption1 = |image_dot_map = |dot_mapsize = |dot_map_caption = |dot_x = |dot_y = |pushpin_map =  |pushpin_label_position =  |pushpin_map_caption = |pushpin_mapsize =  |subdivision_type = Country |subdivision_name = United States |subdivision_type1 = State |subdivision_name1 = Hawaii |subdivision_type2 = |subdivision_name2 = |subdivision_type3 = |subdivision_name3 = |subdivision_type4 = |subdivision_name4 =  |government_footnotes = |government_type = |leader_title = |leader_name = |leader_title1 = |leader_name1 = |leader_title2 = |leader_name2 = |leader_title3 = |leader_name3 = |leader_title4 = |leader_name4 = |established_title = |established_date = |established_title2 =  |established_date2 = |established_title3 =  |established_date3 =  |area_magnitude = |unit_pref = Imperial |area_footnotes = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_15.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=December 18, 2021}}</ref> |area_total_km2 = 14.39 |area_land_km2 = 6.97 |area_water_km2 = 7.42 |area_total_sq_mi = 5.55 |area_land_sq_mi = 2.69 |area_water_sq_mi = 2.87 |area_water_percent = |area_urban_km2 = |area_urban_sq_mi = |area_metro_km2 = |area_metro_sq_mi = |area_blank1_title = |area_blank1_km2 = |area_blank1_sq_mi =  |population_as_of = 2020 |population_footnotes = |population_note = |population_total = 9916 |population_density_km2 = 1423.25 |population_density_sq_mi = 3686.25 |population_metro = |population_density_metro_km2 = |population_density_metro_sq_mi = |population_urban = |population_density_urban_km2 = |population_density_urban_sq_mi = |population_blank1_title = |population_blank1 = |population_density_blank1_km2 = |population_density_blank1_sq_mi =  |timezone = Hawaii-Aleutian |utc_offset = -10 |timezone_DST = |utc_offset_DST = |coordinates = {{coord|21|28|14|N|158|12|51|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}} |elevation_footnotes = |elevation_m = 6 |elevation_ft = 20  |postal_code_type = ZIP code |postal_code = 96792<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.zipdatamaps.com/96792|title=Makaha HI ZIP Code|publisher=zipdatamaps.com|year=2023|access-date=January 26, 2023}}</ref> |area_code = 808 |blank_name = FIPS code |blank_info = 15-47450 |blank1_name = GNIS feature ID |blank1_info = 0362017 |website = |footnotes = |pop_est_as_of = |pop_est_footnotes = |population_est = }} [[File:Ahupuaa of Oahu (4-color).svg|thumb|260px|Historically, Mākaha was an ahupuaʻa, or area of land ruled by chief or king and managed by the members of the {{okina}}ali{{okina}}i.]] '''Mākaha''' (Hawaiian for "fierce",<ref name="Gabbard, Andrea 2000 Page 23">Gabbard, Andrea (2000). ''Girl in the Curl: A Century of Women in Surfing''. Seal Press. p. 23. {{ISBN|9781580050487}}.</ref><ref name="Chase, Linda 2008 Page 39">Chase, Linda (2008). ''Surfing: Women of the Waves''. Gibbs Smith. Page 39. {{ISBN|9781423601791}}.</ref><ref>Coleman, Stuart Holmes (2009). ''Fierce Heart: The Story of Makaha and the Soul of Hawaiian Surfing''. Macmillan. Page 1. {{ISBN|9781429937702}}.</ref> or "savage",<ref name="Ward, Greg 2011 Page 123">Ward, Greg (2011). ''The Rough Guide to Hawaii''. Penguin. p. 123. {{ISBN|9781405385817}}.</ref><ref name="Pager 2006 Page 130">Pager, Sheryl Groden and Sean Pager (2006). ''Off the Beaten Path: Hawaii''. Globe Pequot. p. 130. {{ISBN|9780762742004}}.</ref><ref>Sumpter, Rod (2004). ''100 Best Surf Spots in the World: The World's Best Breaks for Surfers in Search of the Perfect Wave''. Globe Pequot. Page 34. {{ISBN|9780762725984}}.</ref> {{IPA|haw|maːˈkɐhə|pron}}) is a census-designated place (CDP) in Honolulu County, Hawai{{okina}}i, United States. It is a town located along the Pacific coast, west of the Mākaha Valley, and at the foot of Mount Ka'ala in the Wai’anae Mountain Range.<ref>Kirch, Patrick Vinton (1997). ''Feathered Gods and Fishhooks: An Introduction to Hawaiian Archaeology and Prehistory''. University of Hawaii Press. Page 274. {{ISBN|9780824819385}}.</ref><ref>Tryon, George Washington and Charles Montague Cooke (1916). ''Manual of Conchology, Structural and Systematic: With Illustrations of the Species''. Pulmonata, Volumes 21–23. Harvard University. p. 345.</ref> It is the last of the leeward towns on Oahu.<ref name="Ward, Greg 2011 Page 123"/> North of Mākaha there is no development, i.e. no towns, no gas stations, or restaurants.<ref>Dunford, Lisa and Sara Benson (2012). ''Lonely Planet Discover Honolulu, Waikiki & Oahu''. Lonely Planet. {{ISBN|9781743213377}}.</ref> The population of Mākaha was 8,278 at the 2010 census.<ref name="Census 2010">{{Cite web| url=https://www.census.gov| title=Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (DP-1): Makaha CDP, Hawaii| publisher=United States Census Bureau| access-date=May 22, 2012}}</ref> It is located 35 miles northwest of Honolulu, but is a part of Honolulu County.

In the Hawaiian language its name means “fierce” or “savage”, which refers to the group of bandits who were based in the Mākaha Valley. They would hide and wait for unsuspecting passersby to show up, and then plunder and pillage them.<ref name="Gabbard, Andrea 2000 Page 23"/> Mākaha has a higher percentage of Native Hawaiians and other Pacific islanders than most settlements on O’ahu; 26.2% of the population were Pacific Islanders in 2010.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.city-data.com/city/Makaha-Hawaii.html|title=Makaha, Hawaii (HI 96792) profile: Population, maps, real estate, averages, homes, statistics, relocation, travel, jobs, hospitals, schools, crime, moving, houses, news, sex offenders}}</ref> Mākaha Resort stages weekend traditional Hawaiian arts and crafts fairs and other Hawaiian cultural programs in order to preserve the Native Hawaiian traditions in Mākaha.<ref>Frasure, Carrie and Sean Pager (2010). ''Hawaii Off the Beaten Path: A Guide to Unique Places''. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 126. {{ISBN|9780762762446}}.</ref>

The town is particularly known for its surfing waves and surfing history, the Hawaiian temple Kāne’āki Heiau, and Mākaha Beach Park, which is a nesting place for several species of sea turtles.<ref name="Pager 2006 Page 130"/><ref>Campbell, Jeff (2010). ''Lonely Planet Hawaii''. Lonely Planet. p. 30. {{ISBN|9781742203447}}.</ref> Aside from surfing, other water activities include diving, canoe-surfing, fishing, tandem surfing, bodysurfing, and other recreational water sports.<ref>Lueras, Lorca and Leonard (2014). ''Surfing Hawaii: The Ultimate Guide to the World's Most Challenging Waves''. Tuttle Publishing. p. 137. {{ISBN|9781462909360}}.</ref> Kāne’āki Heiau is Hawaii's most thoroughly restored ancient heiau, it was excavated by Bishop Museum archeologists in 1970 and can now be visited Tuesdays-Sundays. It originated as an agricultural temple to the god Lono in the 15th century. 200 years later, it was converted into a luakini, where human sacrifices were dedicated to the god Kū – a typical progression indicating Mākaha now supported a large enough population to have its own chief.<ref>Ward, Greg (2011). ''The Rough Guide to Hawaii''. Penguin. pp. 123–124. {{ISBN|9781405385817}}.</ref>

== Geography == [[Image:Mākaha-Beach-Park.jpg|thumb|left|Mākaha Beach Park with the slopes of the Waiʻanae Range on the right]] [[Image:Green-Sea-Turtle-Mākaha-Beach-Park.jpg|thumb|right|Green sea turtle at Mākaha Beach Park, January 2014]] Mākaha is located at {{coord|21|28|14|N|158|12|51|W|type:city}} (21.470569, -158.214159).<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=2011-04-23|date=2011-02-12|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}</ref> According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of {{convert|5.2|sqmi|km2}}, of which {{convert|2.3|sqmi|km2}} is land and {{convert|2.9|sqmi|km2}}, or 55.53%, is water. Mākaha is the last town going northbound on the leeward side of Oahu, and is a part of Honolulu County. It is located at the bottom of the Waiʻanae Range, adjacent to the Pacific Ocean in the west and the Mākaha Valley to the east. It is located at the foot of Mount Ka'ala, which is just east of Mākaha and is the highest point on the island of O'ahu at 4,020 feet.

To get here by public transportation, the express city bus C (Route C – Country Express) is the most direct option, as it stays along the coast. The Bus 40 goes up Mākaha Valley Road to the golf courses and then goes down Kili Drive to Mākaha Beach Park.<ref name="Kennedy 2009 Page 235">Kennedy, Scott and Sara Benson (2009). ''Honolulu, Waikiki & O’ahu''. Lonely Planet. p. 235. {{ISBN|9781741048650}}.</ref> It leaves daily from the Ala Moana Center in Downtown Honolulu. By car, you would want to follow Kamehameha Highway just north off Pearl Harbor, and then onto Farrington Highway (93) in the west. You would want to follow Farrington Highway northbound on Oahu's west shore until you pass the neighboring town of Waianae. The town of Mākaha is next, and the last one of the leeward towns on Oahu. Mākaha Beach Park in the town center is located on 84-369 Farrington Hwy, Mākaha HI 96792.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.to-hawaii.com/oahu/beaches/makaha-beach-park.php|title = Makaha Beach Park, Oahu}}</ref>

== Surfing == [[Image:Makaha 66 arch.JPG|thumb|right|Mākaha was the site of the Mākaha International Surfing Championships 1954–1971. During the '60s, Fred Hemmings won the championship four times.]] Surfing is sometimes recognized as starting in Mākaha in the early 1950s, even though it has most likely been utilized as a surfing spot for Native Hawaiians for hundreds of years.<ref name="Ward, Greg 2011 Page 123"/><ref name="Kennedy 2009 Page 235"/> During summer, the waves tend to be at maximum four feet; however, during the winter surf season, the waves often exceed fifteen feet.<ref name="Chase, Linda 2008 Page 39"/> Attracted by these waves, sometimes as high as 25 feet high, the Waikīkī Surf Club established the Mākaha International Surfing Championships in 1952, the first of the many international surfing contests that are now held in Hawaii. One of the most popular events still held at Mākaha is Buffalo's Big Board Contest, an annual surf contest named in honor of Mākaha lifeguard and surfing legend Richard “Buffalo” Keaulana. In these waters, Buffalo not only invented some of the most outrageous methods of surfing, but also raised his world champion son Rusty. He also made Mākaha the home of the world's first international surf meet in 1954 and still hosts his Big Board Surfing Classic.<ref>Bohman, Mary Beth (2006). ''Fodor's O'ahu: With Honolulu, Waikiki, and the North Shore''. Fodor's Travel Publications. p. 83. {{ISBN|9781400016419}}.</ref><ref>Houston, James D. and Ben R. Finney (1996). ''Surfing: A History of the Ancient Hawaiian Sport''. Pomegranate. p. 75. {{ISBN|9780876545942}}.</ref> Rell Sunn's Menehune Triple Lei of Surfing is another annual surfing event that finds place in Mākaha.<ref name="Gabbard, Andrea 2000 Page 23"/> Besides Mākaha Beach Park, other surfing areas in Mākaha includes for instance Aki's Beach,<ref>Clark, John R. K. (2002). ''Hawai'i Place Names: Shores, Beaches, and Surf Sites''. University of Hawaii Press. p. 8. {{ISBN|9780824824518}}.</ref> the Blowhole,<ref>Clark, John R. K. (2002). ''Hawai'i Place Names: Shores, Beaches, and Surf Sites''. University of Hawaii Press. Page 32. {{ISBN|9780824824518}}.</ref> Bowl,<ref>Clark, John R. K. (2002). ''Hawai'i Place Names: Shores, Beaches, and Surf Sites''. University of Hawaii Press. p. 33. {{ISBN|9780824824518}}.</ref> Charlie's Reef,<ref>Clark, John R. K. (2002). ''Hawai'i Place Names: Shores, Beaches, and Surf Sites''. University of Hawaii Press. p. 45. {{ISBN|9780824824518}}.</ref> and Cornets.<ref>Clark, John R. K. (2002). ''Hawai'i Place Names: Shores, Beaches, and Surf Sites''. University of Hawaii Press. p. 53. {{ISBN|9780824824518}}.</ref> water

==Demographics== {{US Census population |2020= 9916 |footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=http://www.census.gov/prod/www/decennial.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|accessdate=June 4, 2016}}</ref> }} As of the census<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=2008-01-31|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref> of 2000, there were 7,753 people, 2,388 households, and 1,721 families residing in the CDP. The population density was {{convert|3,324.7|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 3,208 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1,375.7|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the CDP was 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 were 17.86% of the population.

There were 2,388 households, out of which 37.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.9% were married couples living together, 19.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.9% were non-families. 20.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.20 and the average family size was 3.70.

In the CDP the population was spread out, with 31.7% under the age of 18, 11.3% from 18 to 24, 26.1% from 25 to 44, 20.5% from 45 to 64, and 10.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females there were 98.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.1 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP 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 for the CDP was $14,267. About 22.3% of families and 23.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 32.8% of those under age 18 and 9.3% of those age 65 or over.

==Climate==

Mākaha has a tropical savanna climate (Köppen: ''Aw'').

{{Weather box | width = auto | location = Makaha | metric first = yes | single line = yes | Jan mean C = 22.4 | Feb mean C = 22.0 | Mar mean C = 22.1 | Apr mean C = 22.8 | May mean C = 23.6 | Jun mean C = 24.5 | Jul mean C = 25.0 | Aug mean C = 25.3 | Sep mean C = 25.4 | Oct mean C = 25.0 | Nov mean C = 24.1 | Dec mean C = 23.1 | year mean C = | Jan high C = 23.3 | Feb high C = 23.1 | Mar high C = 23.2 | Apr high C = 23.9 | May high C = 24.9 | Jun high C = 25.9 | Jul high C = 26.4 | Aug high C = 26.7 | Sep high C = 26.8 | Oct high C = 26.1 | Nov high C = 25.1 | Dec high C = 24.0 | year high C = | Jan low C = 21.6 | Feb low C = 21.2 | Mar low C = 21.2 | Apr low C = 21.9 | May low C = 22.7 | Jun low C = 23.5 | Jul low C = 24.0 | Aug low C = 24.3 | Sep low C = 24.4 | Oct low C = 24.1 | Nov low C = 23.3 | Dec low C = 22.4 | year low C = | Jan precipitation mm = 33.6 | Feb precipitation mm = 33.5 | Mar precipitation mm = 43.9 | Apr precipitation mm = 17.4 | May precipitation mm = 15.0 | Jun precipitation mm = 10.9 | Jul precipitation mm = 7.8 | Aug precipitation mm = 11.1 | Sep precipitation mm = 9.3 | Oct precipitation mm = 22.1 | Nov precipitation mm = 30.3 | Dec precipitation mm = 49.0 | year precipitation mm = | source 1 = Weather.Directory<ref name="Weather.Directory"> {{cite web|url=https://weather.directory/us/makaha |title= Makaha Weather & Climate Guide |access-date= 15 Apr 2025 |website= Weather.Directory}}</ref> }}

==Education== The Hawaii State Department of Education operates the public schools.<ref name=MakahaMap>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/dc10map/GUBlock/st15_hi/place/p1547450_makaha/DC10BLK_P1547450_001.pdf|title=2010 CENSUS - CENSUS BLOCK MAP: Makaha CDP, HI|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=2020-10-10}}<br>2000 Map: {{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/blk2000/st15_Hawaii/Place/1547450_Makaha/CBP1547450_001.pdf|title=CENSUS 2000 BLOCK MAP: MAKAHA CDP|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=2020-10-10}} - Compare this map to locations of schools.</ref> Mākaha Elementary School is in the CDP, while Kamaile Elementary School is outside of the CDP.

Waianae High School, which has a Waianae postal address,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kaleoowaianae.com/uploads/2/3/1/6/23163752/transcript.pdf|title=Transcript Request Form|publisher=Waianae High School|access-date=2020-10-10|quote=85-251 Farrington Hwy. Waianae, HI 96792}}</ref> is physically located in two CDPs:<ref>[https://www.kaleoowaianae.com/uploads/2/3/1/6/23163752/whs_aerial_loop2_149.jpg See the physical plant] and [https://www.kaleoowaianae.com/uploads/2/3/1/6/23163752/whs-map_orig.png school map] (official website) which is apparent in a mapping program ([https://geoportal.hawaii.gov/datasets/5a41febd53a74b0c8ab41947e47d4de7_3 see Hawaii GIS maps]).</ref> mostly in Mākaha,<ref name=MakahaMap/> and partially in Waianae.<ref name=WaianaeMap>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/dc10map/GUBlock/st15_hi/place/p1574450_waianae/DC10BLK_P1574450_001.pdf|title=2010 CENSUS - CENSUS BLOCK MAP: Waianae CDP, HI|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=2020-10-10}}<br>2000 Map: {{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/blk2000/st15_Hawaii/Place/1574450_Waianae/CBP1574450_000.pdf|title=CENSUS 2000 BLOCK MAP: WAIANAE CDP|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=2020-10-10}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/blk2000/st15_Hawaii/Place/1574450_Waianae/CBP1574450_001.pdf 1] and [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/blk2000/st15_Hawaii/Place/1574450_Waianae/CBP1574450_002.pdf 2]</ref>

== Notable people == {{div col}} * Israel Kamakawiwoʻole (1959–1997) – musician, singer, and activist<ref>{{cite web |last1=Jackson |first1=Blair |title=Remembering Bruddah Iz: 25 Years After his Death, Israel Kamakawiwo‘ole Still Melts Hearts and Inspires |url=https://ukulelemagazine.com/stories/iz-20-years-after-his-death-israel-kamakawiwoole-still-melts-hearts-and-inspire-ukulele |website=Ukulele Magazine |access-date=May 29, 2025 |date=September 2, 2022}}</ref> * Brian Keaulana – surfer, lifeguard, waterman, and actor<ref>{{cite web |last1=Stanger |first1=Shelby |title=Brian Keaulana Is One of the World’s Greatest Watermen and a Provider of Life-Changing Advice |url=https://www.theinertia.com/surf/brian-keaulana-is-one-of-the-worlds-greatest-watermen-and-a-provider-of-life-changing-advice/ |website=The Inertia |access-date=May 29, 2025 |date=March 26, 2019}}</ref> * Rusty Keaulana – longboard surfrider<ref>{{cite web |title=Keaulana, Rusty |url=https://www.eos.surf/encyclopedia/keaulana-rusty |website=Encyclopedia of Surfing |access-date=May 29, 2025}}</ref> * Yancy Medeiros (b. 1987) – mixed martial artist<ref>{{cite web |title=Yancy Medeiros |url=https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/fighters/yancy-medeiros-frisson |website=Tapology |access-date=May 29, 2025}}</ref> * Greg Noll (1937–2021) – big wave surfer<ref>{{cite web |title=Greg Noll – Shaping the Future |url=http://www.worldchampionsofsurfing.com/greg-noll-biography/ |website=World Champions of Surfing |access-date=May 29, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718113904/http://www.worldchampionsofsurfing.com/greg-noll-biography/ |archive-date=July 18, 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref> * Rell Sunn (1950–1998) – world surfing champion<ref>{{cite web |title=Rell Sunn: the memorable life of the surfing Queen of Makaha |url=https://www.surfertoday.com/surfing/rell-sunn-the-memorable-life-of-the-surfing-queen-of-makaha |website=SurferToday |access-date=May 29, 2025}}</ref> * Dalani Tanahy (b. 1961) – textile artist<ref>{{cite web |title=Dalani Tanahy |url=https://www.unitedstatesartists.org/artists/dalani-tanahy |website=United States Artists |access-date=May 29, 2025}}</ref> {{div col end}}

== References == {{Reflist|30em}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Makaha}} Category:Census-designated places in Honolulu County, Hawaii Category:Populated places on Oahu Category:Populated coastal places in Hawaii

Mākaha, Hawaii

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