Pretty much everything about this place is perfect, from the apartment to the area to the helpful hosts.
AREA: If you’re looking for any kind of city life, this is not your spot. This is the least developed side of O’ahu; Makaha itself is remote, and the condo building is at the end of a windy back road. There was once a golf resort back there as well, but it has been demolished. To me, this makes the area all the more beautiful— you will not find more pristine beaches or hikes anywhere else on the island. My boyfriend and I spent everyday exploring the mountains, valleys, beaches, coastlines, and tide pools. It was definitely a haven for a couple of nature nerds. If the mountains are brown, they will transform after a good rain. There is also an incredible concentration of archaeological resources on this side, due to the lack of development. Native Hawaiians have been fighting to preserve the area for decades. Walk lightly and be respectful wherever you go. The closest store is about 10 minutes away by car.
CONDO: The space is absolutely beautiful. One whole side is made up of sliding door windows with an overwhelming view of the mountains and ocean. There is AC, which was Great, but the sliding doors have screens that let the trade winds in and keep the bugs out :). The bed was wonderful, the water pressure was perfect, and the place was stocked with every basic necessity I could think of, down to coffee filters and sunscreen. There are plenty of chairs and surfaces for working remotely. The elevator, laundry room, and trash chute are right down the hall. Sadly, there was no recycling to be found.
Our hosts, Ray and Lise were wonderful as well, quickly responding to every question we had. They were also very understanding and accommodating of our uncertain plans, due to the pandemic. Thank you both so much!
PARKING: The only issue we had was with parking our vehicle. I borrowed my dad’s car, and upon arrival at the building, security told me i would need a signed letter from my dad saying i have permission to drive his car. I brought said letter to the office the next day and the GM informed me that i would need documentation from the car insurance company stating that i, personally, am covered under my father’s insurance. LUCKILY I was able to produce this documentation, because they told me if I did not have it, I would have to remove my car from the property immediately, and there is absolutely no street parking available. So my advice is to make sure the vehicle you are driving is completely your own and insured under your own name, or a rental vehicle registered under your name.
That said, I was very impressed at how often the city buses stop right outside the building, so a car isn’t completely necessary.
In conclusion, our stay in Makaha was an unforgettable dream and we would 100% do it again.