Photo of Makaha, HI
( 2 Ratings )

Living in Makaha, HI

Makaha Area Facts

Area Score
Is This the Right Place for You? Local Insights Report
  • Uncover the key details before you move
  • Use local data to guide a smarter investment
  • Compare neighborhoods side by side
Local Insights Report

Makaha Reviews

Write a review about Makaha Tell people what you like or don't like about Makaha…
Paradise on a Budget User Rating 4 rating By studephan ( Jul 01, 2014) Hawaii on budget? Yes it can be done! Whether just visiting, or moving here for a lifetime, Makaha on Oahu's overlooked Waianae Coast, on the island's dry side, is where sunshine, uncrowded beaches and low-cost living make for an affordable paradise.

Located about an hour (depe
...Read More nding on traffic!) from downtown Honolulu, the Waianae Coast and Makaha are the last remaining rural communities on Oahu's leeward side. While not providing the glitz and glamor of Waikiki, they do offer a small-town, slow-down feel, and contain the spirit of old Hawaii.

Two-and-a-half years ago we left the gray and gloomy Pacific Northwest on an adventurous relocation to tropical sunshine. It took us about a year to sell our house on the mainland (in the midst of a historic down market) and make the move, but since resettling across the ocean we haven't looked back.

Hawaii on a budget requires compromise: a reduction in your dwelling's square footage perhaps, or leaving your car on the mainland and getting around by bus, and probably a change in diet, and for sure some culture shock, but if tropical sunshine and warm Pacific beaches are your life-long dreams, then the Waianae Coast is where it can all come true.

One of the communities on that Coast, Makaha Valley Towers, is a mid-rise condominium complex with landscaped tropical grounds, floor-to-ceiling panoramic views of verdant valley and mountain ridges, and, always, the blue Pacific filling out the horizon. It's resort-style living on a daily basis. The 24-hour, seven-days-a-week security personnel give the property a safe, secure, gated-community feel, the office staff is helpful and the maintenance crew keep the property immaculate and in top-rate shape. The property also hosts an all-tiled, large swimming pool, kept at a constant 82 degrees. The Towers are located just one mile from world-famous Makaha surfing beach and close to several of the other best beaches on Oahu.

Being on the island's dry side, Waianae and Makaha are the "Palm Springs" of Honolulu, with plenty of sunshine and not much rain. The area affords a "desert island" sort of feel with constant daytime temperatures in the mid-80s and plenty of blue skies to match the Pacific waters lapping upon Waianae's shores. So if you hear that Hawaii is too expensive, check out the Waianae Coast for affordable paradise living. Read Less
Show All Reviews

How Do You Rate The Livability In Makaha?

1. Select a livability score between 1-100
0
Awful
25
Poor
50
Average
75
Good
100
Great
2. Select any tags that apply to this area
View results

Compare Makaha, HI Livability

City Image
    City Default Image
      vs
      Compare Neighborhoods & Addresses Local Insights Report

      Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.

      Local Insights Report

      F Amenities

      Are there many local amenities in Makaha? Well, there are not many amenities close to this location.

      Parks

      Makaha Community Park
      Waianae District Park
      Herbert K. Pililaau Community Park

      Entertainment

      Mākaha beach

      Food & Drink

      Taco Bell
      KFC
      McDonald's
      Jack in the Box
      Burger King
      Jamba Juice

      A+ Commute

      Is public transit available in Makaha? Of all people who commute, 13.7% take public transportation in Makaha.
      Drive to Work
      55%

      22% lower than the US average

      Take Public Transit
      14%

      9% higher than the US average

      Walk to Work
      1%

      2% lower than the US average

      B- Health & Safety

      Is Makaha a healthy and safe place to live? Yes, there are some hospitals, police and fire stations.

      Hospitals

      Pharmacies

      Longs Drugs

      Doctors