I appreciate the history surrounding Oahu and if one is relocating to Hawaii or just coming to visit, I strongly encourage to seek out the historic sites. There is more to an area besides the stores and malls and the history of an area will provide insight into the past to present.
The Waianae Range spreads the length of the West Coast of Oahu (Nanakuli, Maili, Lualualei, Waiane and Makaha are a few of the communities along the way) and separates it from the rest of the island. To get to the West Coast of Oahu you can just go down Farrington Hwy around the mountain range. The Waianae Coast was named after the mullet that was once farmed in the area. To break down the word, Wai (pronounced why) means water and enae (eh na ee) means large mullet. This community was known for it's agriculture, sugar mill, fishing and religion.
As any other state in the nation transportation evolved from saddle to wheeled carriage and eventually to steamer that left each Friday from Honolulu to Waianae (West Coast of Oahu) and Waialua (North Shore). By 1888 the service increased to twice a week.
By 1889 the construction of Oahu Railroad started and by November 16, 1889 was open to Aiea and on January 1, 1890 it reached Pearl City and serviced the vicinity of Ewa and Honouliuli. During the 1890's the railroad service extended to the West Coast through Kaena Point to Waialua and Kahuku.
To this day fishing is a huge part of every day life for many residents on the West Coast of Oahu and most recently I had the opportunity to meet a commercial fisherman who turned out to be a wonderful client. Life on the West Coast is not for all but for him it's just a simple but hard working way of life. If he's not out fishing he's taking care of his one acre lot home he bought last November.
Needless to say, the Waianae Coastline is breathtaking with clear blue oceans to lush valleys. Truly, the West Coast of Oahu is a local area with living the simple life with many beach parks filled with family and friends having beach parties for the baby's first birthday luau or just to get together. Definitely a place minus the hustle and bustle of city life. (a few of the stops to consider along the coastline are Kahe Beach Park, Tracks Beach Park, Nanakuli Community Park, Maili Beach Park, Waianae State Park, Lualualei Beach Park, Pokai Bay Beach Park, US Army Recreational Center Waianae, Maunalahilahi Botanical Garden)
A couple of other posts to see what's happening on the West Coast of Oahu.
Preservation & Conservation: Military Land Use on Oahu Hawaii's West Coast (Waianae) which is about the history and current land use on the West Coast with regards to the military.
The Legend of Makua Cave: Northwest Coast of Oahu, Hawaii is only a smidgen of the history surrounding the islands. This cave is known as "the cave of man". Read about the legend.....
Bottom lines, every part of Oahu (Honolulu County) has history and many points of interest ....
.....and the Waianae Coast is just one of them.
