Located on O`ahu's southwest corner, Wai`anae is home to many Hawaiian homesteads and farmlands that line Farrington Highway. From this highway, there are stunning views of the Waianae Range. The Wai`anae Boat Harbor offers fishing and diving charters for locals and tourists.
Beaches
Ma`ili Beach Park
Before you reach Ma`ili Beach Park, you'll see a distinctive round hill at the northwest end of the park called Pu`u Mailiili, which was formally known in Hawaiian as Kalaeokakao (Goat Point). In 1778 Captain Cook brought goats to the island. In the 1800s, large numbers of wild goats grazed in this area and were protected under the kapu (forbidden) law.
The Ma`ili Beach Park, 87-021 Farrington Highway, is named for the numerous pebbles (ili`ili) found nearby. This is a nice swimming beach in the summer months but it disappears in the winter due to the large swells. Swimmers beware of a sudden drop-off from the coral reef into deep water. The beach park has restrooms, showers, barbecue grills, picnic tables and lifeguards.
Poka`i Bay Beach Park
Poka`i Bay Beach Park, 85-037 Waianae Valley Road, translates in Hawaiian to "Night of the Supreme One" and is named after the legendary Hawaiian chief, Poka`i, who is believed to brought the first coconut palm tree to Hawaii. Poka`i Bay is well protected, even in the wild winter months, and is great for swimming year-round. Lifeguards patrol the beach and the park also has picnic tables, barbecue grills, restrooms and showers.
Poka`i Bay Beach Park
Surf's Up: The Leeward side of O`ahu has dozens of surf spots, many with interesting names like "Bathtubs," "Green Lantern" and "Free Hawaii."
Adventures on Water
Scuba
Electric Beach by Kahe Point and Tech Reef by the Ko Olina Resort are nice beginner/intermediate scuba spots that can be entered from the shore. Watch out for the 15-foot tiger shark that is known to frequent the area!
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 5.1 square miles (13.2 km²), of which, 3.4 square miles (8.8 km²) of it is land and 1.7 square miles (4.4 km²) of it (33.14%) is water.
As of the census[2] of 2000, there were 10,506 people, 2,595 households, and 2,221 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 3,086.0 people per square mile (1,193.1/km²). There were 2,925 housing units at an average density of 859.2/sq mi (332.2/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 9.35% White, 0.81% African American, 0.26% Native American, 19.44% Asian, 27.26% Pacific Islander, 0.97% from other races, and 41.92% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 14.00% of the population.
There were 2,595 households out of which 43.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.0% were married couples living together, 19.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 14.4% were non-families. 10.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 4.04 and the average family size was 4.30.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 34.8% under the age of 18, 10.4% from 18 to 24, 26.8% from 25 to 44, 19.8% from 45 to 64, and 8.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 29 years. For every 100 females there were 98.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.5 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $46,717, and the median income for a family was $48,145. Males had a median income of $32,328 versus $22,451 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $13,348. About 17.2% of families and 19.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.6% of those under age 18 and 7.9% of those age 65 or over.
Education
Hawaii Department of Education operates public schools. District schools inside the CDP include Leihoku Elementary School, Waianae Elementary School, Waianae Intermediate School, and Waianae High School. The district's Kamaile Elementary School is outside of the CDP. A K-7 charter school, Ka Waihona O Ka Naauao - New Century Pcs, is in the CDP.[3]
