You can just feel the mana, or power, when driving by Makua Valley. Even though it’s inaccessible to the public today, the valley is still very much a visible part of Oahu’s northwestern shore. It’s also still very much alive with Hawaiian culture and history.
What is Makua Valley
Makua Valley is an area in West Oahu (the leeward side), below the Waianae Mountains. It’s referenced in many Hawaiian songs and stories as a sacred place rich with history. It’s also been a place of great conflict between Native Hawaiians and the U.S. military, since it was used as a place of live-fire training for decades.
The History of the Valley
Hawaiians believed that Makua Valley was the site where man was first created. That’s how it received the name makua, meaning “parent” in Hawaiian. They also considered the valley as a place where spirits entered the afterworld. If you look up along the rocky cliffs, you’ll see a handful of memorials made in honor of those who have passed.
But perhaps one of Makua’s most significant roles in Hawaiian history was as a rest stop for travelers. Visitors on their way to Kaena Point would land their canoes on the sandy beach directly in front of the valley, where they’d spend the night. Spanning more than 4,000 acres across the coast, Makua had plenty of room to spare.
Hawaiians lived in Makua Valley until the 1940s. During World War II, the U.S. Military evicted its residents, prohibited access, and began live-fire training there. Activists said that the military promised residents they could return to Makua Valley after the war, but that never happened. Instead, the military continued explosive training exercises throughout the remainder of the century.
Makua Valley Today
Today, Makua Valley is home to more than 40 endangered species of plants and animals and sites sacred to Native Hawaiians. These include a fishing shrine and sacred heiau.
There used to be many more archaeological sites, but they have been damaged or destroyed completely. From the 1940s to 2004, part of the valley was used by the U.S. military for live-fire training exercises. Needless to say, this drew much controversy by the community, who fought to save Makua Valley.
In 2004, environmentalists, Hawaiians, and community members did, in fact, save the valley. A lawsuit against the U.S. government spared the valley from artillery. However, there was no promise or mandate that training wouldn’t resume there, and access was still restricted to military personnel.
Finally, in 2023, the U.S. military confirmed it would permanently end any live fire. There would now be access to the many cultural and historical sites that make Makua such a sacred place.
In the meantime, take time to experience the valley for yourself – even if it’s from the roadside or
Makua Beach
If you want to experience some of the beauty and power of Makua Valley, you do have a way to come close. You can visit Makua Beach. If you travel west along the Waianae Coast, Makua Beach is the second-to-last beach you’ll pass before reaching the end of the road at Kaena Point.
Conditions aren’t typically good for swimming, but it’s a scenic beach with views of the valley. It’s a great place to stop for a bit during a road trip along Oahu’s leeward coast.
