Getting Around On Oahu Keeping Your Mauka Separate From Your Makai
Below is a MRR and PLR article in category Travel Leisure -> subcategory Destinations.
Navigating Oahu: Mastering Mauka and Makai
Overview
On the island of Oahu, traditional compass directions like North, South, East, and West don't hold much weight. While you might hear about the North Shore known for its surfing or the development in West Oahu, local terms like mauka, makai, ewa, and Diamond Head are far more common for directions.
Island Geography
Oahu is an island surrounded by water that rises from the coast to mountain ridges. Diamond Head, a prominent landmark, sits on the island's southernmost point. These are used for navigation instead of conventional compass directions. On Oahu, you head mauka (toward the mountains), makai (toward the sea), Diamond Head (toward Diamond Head crater), or ewa (away from it). Thanks to the island's natural landmarks, these directions make navigation straightforward.
Understanding Local Directions
For locals, these directions are intuitive. However, explaining them to newcomers can be tricky. Here’s a guide to help:
- Kailua on the Windward Side (East): Facing north, makai is right (east), mauka is left (west). Ewa is left (west), Diamond Head is to your southwest.
- Pearl Harbor in West Oahu: Facing north, makai is left (west), mauka is right (east). You're in Ewa, with Diamond Head to the southeast.
- Haleiwa on the North Shore: Facing north, makai is north. Mauka, Diamond Head, and ewa are all south.
- Diamond Head Crater in Southern Oahu: Facing north, makai is south, mauka is north. You're in Diamond Head and ewa is northwest.
Practice Makes Perfect
With practice, navigating Oahu using these terms becomes second nature. If you drive around the island clockwise, makai is always on your left, though its compass direction varies. Similarly, mauka remains on your right, shifting directions with the island's curves. Soon, you'll move around like a local!
You can find the original non-AI version of this article here: Getting Around On Oahu Keeping Your Mauka Separate From Your Makai.
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