Makaha is the last stop before total farmland and wilderness. It’s the most northern town on O’ahu’s Leeward Coast, about 35 miles from Honolulu and a long drive up the Farrington Highway. Many consider it the most remote town on the island. These aspects may seem negative, but they’re often what pull people to the area. “If you really wanna get away and want the true island vibe, then Makaha is the perfect place to be,” says Colette Nishimura, a Realtor with Coldwell Banker licensed since 2013. “More and more mainlanders are coming out here because of its remoteness and beauty. You don’t have many high-rises. You have some businesses and homes being built here, but it’s not like Waikiki where you’re in a concrete jungle. You see the same people and get to know each other.” Narrow streets pack the coast with homes, and the beach is walkable. Continuing east through the Makaha Valley, farmland increases with elevation.
Enjoy stunning bay views from atop Mauna Lahilahi.
Makaha is a quiet town on the far western edge of Oahu.
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Makaha Beach and the origin of a Hawaiian tradition
Big wave surfing started on Makaha Beach. Before the North Shore became popular in the 1950s, this beach catered to the island’s most experienced surfers, who wanted more than the typical tides of Waikiki. They quickly discovered waves here were among the tallest on O’ahu, reaching up to 25 feet during the winter. Today, Makaha Beach continues to be a destination for intermediate, experienced and professional surfers, and its Buffalo Keaulana Big Board Surfing Competition has been a February tradition since 1977. For those who don’t want the adrenaline spike, a reef is just offshore for snorkeling in the summer. Sea turtles are commonly spotted here, as well as nearby Papaoneone Beach. Mauna Lahilahi, a mountainous outcrop next to the sand, has shoreline views and is one of the area’s most popular hikes. More mountains are just north of town in the Waianae Range. “The mountains have a lot of crevices, and when it rains, they form waterfalls. Sometimes you even see rainbows,” Nishimura says. Still, the climate here is drier and sunnier than the Windward Coast, and temperatures are typically in the 70s or 80s.
Makaha Beach offers stunning views of the Pacific Ocean.
Locals flock to Makaha Beach on weekends and school breaks.
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Oceanfront and mountainside homes in the Makaha Valley
Single-family homes are the most common option in Makaha, but no one property is like the last. They were built anytime between the 1940s and 2020s, and facades range from traditional to modern. Some ranch-style homes likely need updates and start at $350,000; others are more renovated and can reach $650,000. Properties on this end of the market are usually a few blocks inland, whereas pricier homes are closer to the ocean or even oceanfront. They also tend to have two stories, larger square footage and newer build dates. They’re between $750,000 and $2.5 million. A few high-rise condos are in this area as well as toward the mountains, slightly elevated in the Makaha Valley. Due to this wilderness proximity, wild peacocks are known to roam complexes and can cause some noise. Units are between $150,000 and $500,000. Units on the lower end are likely leasehold, meaning the tenant owns the house but leases the land. Higher-end units are typically traditional sales or “fee simple.”
Makaha Valley is largely undeveloped, but small subdivisions there offer peace and quiet.
Beachfront residences in Makaha offer a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of Honolulu.
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Makaha Marketplace and Waianae Mall
Makaha Market Place, the only shopping center in town, has the Makaha Ohana Market for small grocery trips and other shopping, and a few restaurants are clustered toward the southern end of town, including takeout and shave ice. Most people drive to neighboring Waianae to eat and shop, though, since it has more options. About 3 miles south, the Waianae Mall has department stores and hosts a Saturday farmers market in its parking lot. Nishimura recommends The Beach House, an oceanfront restaurant near this mall. It has live music and sunset views.
Waianae Mall is a small retail center in the heart of Waianae.
Makaha Marketplace has local favorites like Mountain Magic Shave Ice.
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Walkability to elementary, middle and high schools
Hawaii Department of Education, the statewide school district, operates roughly 10 schools on the Leeward Coast, and most receive C ratings from Niche. Of the closest campuses, Makaha Elementary is in town while Wai’anae Intermediate and Wai’anae High are just down the coast. They’re walkable from many homes.
Waianae Intermediate School serves children grades 6-8 in the Waianae area.
Makaha Elementary School is located in the heart of the valley.
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Crime levels on O’ahu
The Honolulu Police Department reports crime for the whole island, not Makaha specifically. Oahu’s violent crimes decreased roughly 15% from 2022 to 2023, while property crimes decreased about 30%. Neighboring Waianae has a police station that serves Makaha and other towns on the coast.
Most neighborhoods in Makaha are quiet and peaceful.
The Waianae coast has some of the most stunning beaches on Oahu.
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Farrington Highway commutes, traffic backups
Makaha is a beachside town with slow-paced streets. Many people walk or bike around the area, but they likely have a car to access Honolulu’s employment base. The Farrington Highway is the main thoroughfare along the Leeward Coast and leads 15 miles south to US Coast Guard Station Barber’s Point and about 35 miles southeast to downtown Honolulu. Traffic can clog the whole way, especially in Makaha itself. TheBus, an islandwide transit service, operates an express route from Makaha Beach to popular destinations like Ala Moana Center and Kalihi Transit Center.
The 93 Freeway connects Makaha, Maili, and Waimanalo to cities to the east, like Kapolei.
The 93 is the main artery that runs through the greater Waianae region.
44-year resident of Hawai'i, previously from CT and Jamaica. 24 years in real estate, currently broker / owner of 20 Degrees North Real Estate (www.20DegreesN.com).
Memberships and associations include Building Industry Association, Chamber of Commerce Hawai'i, Hanalani Schools Board of Trustees, Christians in Real Estate board of directors (CIRE), Hawai'i Society of Business Professionals, Real Estate Business Institute (REBI), Hawai'i Ballroom Dance Association (HBDA), Veterans Association of Real Estate Professionals (VAREP), Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE), National & Hawai'i Associations of Realtors (NAR & HAR), Honolulu Board of Realtors (HBR), Hawai'i Island Realtors (HIR), Regional Chair Honolulu Board of Directors (2014-2023), New Anointing Christian Fellowship president (present) Red Referral Network. 24 years real estate industry experience with certifications, designations and services which include MRP (MIlitary Relocation Professional), 1031 Exchanges, CRB (Certified Residential Broker) , CRS (Certified Residential Specialist), RENE (Real Estate Neogtiation Expert), REBI (Real Estate Business Institute), CDPE (Certified Distressed Property Expert, SFR (Short Sale and Foreclosure Resource), SRES (Seniors Real Estate Specialist), RSPS (Resort & Second Property Specialist). Providing opportunities to real estate clientele to search for properties and values with their own mobile app through this link: https://twentydegreesnorthhawaii.hsidx.com/@cprendergast
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