Makai – Toward the Sea
Looking makai, or toward the sea, the Wai‘anae coast is a rugged shoreline interspersed with white sand beaches. The shoreline is a dynamic environment, where wave energy carves the rocky intertidal zone and changes the distribution of sand along the coast. Wai‘anae's leeward-facing coastline is subject to sometimes severe weather from Kona storms and the occasional hurricane. The North Pacific current that flows through the Hawaiian Islands from east to west creates ocean eddies that concentrate marine larvae and fish along the leeward shores.
Fishing along Waianae's rocky coast, at Ulehawa beach park.
Source: CZM Hawai‘iOn the Wai‘anae coast, coral reefs grow in an abundance of sunshine and clear water, providing food and shelter for fish and other marine life. Sea turtles and marine mammals congregate to forage and rest, surprising and delighting those who are privileged with a chance encounter. Fishing is a way of life, providing an important source of food and livelihood for Wai‘anae residents and others from around the state. Surfing, diving, paddling, and beachside camping are among the many forms of recreation that shape the quality of life for the Wai‘anae community.
The following sections provide information on the ocean processes influencing the Wai‘anae coast, its marine ecosystems, and the coastal resource uses that play an important role in the Wai‘anae community.
