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Makua Cave (Kaneana Cave): Oahu's Ancient Sea Cave
Located within the Waianae Leeward Region on Oahu
Oahu Cave
Waianae Sight
Caves are always interesting to explore and Kaneana Cave is no different. Kaneana Cave, otherwise known as Makua Cave, is believed to be 150,000 years old and is found on the Leeward Coast.
While being an interesting natural formation, Kaneana Cave also serves as a place of cultural and historical significance and was home to rituals and religious ceremonies. Kaneana Cave is named after the Hawaiian god Kane, who represents the god of creation. This cave is believed to be the beginning of human creation, which is why the cave was named after Kane.
Kaneana Cave is a particularly interesting site for everyone, including family with kids. This is because the site provides an educational opportunity for its visitors to learn about how ancient Hawaiians used to use caves. There’s a place within the cave where offerings were made. Since the cave is somewhat small, it provides the perfect break along your road trip to stretch your legs and explore for a bit.
Kaneana Cave isn’t an official tourist attraction, so the site itself is not marked. To find the cave, try to look for a concrete barrier in front of the cave across the street from where the parking lot is.
Driving directions to get to the cave begin by heading south on Farrington Highway from Kaena Point - this direction will be the easiest to approach the cave from. However, most visitors approach their entire coastal road trip from the south of the island, in which case you would want to take I-H-1 West to Highway 93 West. Once you’ve passed Mākaha Beach Park, you will soon arrive at the cave.
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Trades are breezy right now with scattered showers on the windward side and mountains; the leeward coast stays mostly dry. Tomorrow stays breezy with the same pattern.
A tropical disturbance southeast of the islands is likely to become a tropical storm by mid-week and approach the state Thursday through Saturday. The exact track is still uncertain. If it comes closer, expect heavier rain over a longer stretch; if it stays farther out, impacts will be shorter and lighter. Winds will increase late this week, with potential gusts over 70 miles per hour on the highest summits.
Plan your leeward beach time and snorkeling for today through Tuesday. Save summit drives and offshore water sports for after Saturday, and check updates daily as this develops.
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Trade winds are pushing across Maui right now and staying breezy through tomorrow. Windward slopes and peaks will see scattered showers; the leeward side stays mostly dry. Rough seas mean a Small Craft Advisory is in effect through Tuesday evening.
A tropical disturbance southeast of the islands is likely to become a tropical storm by mid-week and approach the state Thursday through Saturday. The track remains uncertain. Late this week, winds will increase across Maui, with summit gusts potentially exceeding 70 mph on Haleakala. The Big Island—especially Hilo and Puna—faces the highest risk of heavy rain and flooding if the storm tracks close.
Leeward beaches and snorkeling work best today through Tuesday. Avoid summit hikes and offshore water sports Thursday through Saturday.
0:000:55
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Trades are kicking today with moderate wind and rough seas. Windward slopes will see scattered showers; the leeward side stays mostly dry. A Small Craft Advisory is in effect through Tuesday evening.
A tropical disturbance southeast of the islands is likely to become a tropical storm by mid-week and approach the state Thursday through Saturday. The track remains uncertain, but the Big Island faces the highest risk of heavy rain and flooding, especially in the Hilo and Puna areas. Summit winds could exceed 70 mph late in the week. Check forecasts daily as the situation develops.
Leeward snorkeling and beach time work well through Tuesday. Save summit drives and windward hikes for today or tomorrow, and avoid offshore water sports and high elevations Thursday through Saturday.
0:000:58
Voice
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Trades are steady now with scattered showers on the windward side and ridges; the leeward coast stays mostly dry. Through Tuesday it stays breezy with rough seas around Maui and the Big Island, where a Small Craft Advisory is in effect through Tuesday evening.
A tropical disturbance southeast of the islands is likely to become a tropical storm by mid-week and approach the state Thursday through Saturday. The exact track is uncertain. Winds will increase across the eastern islands late this week, with potential for summit gusts over 70 mph on Maui and the Big Island if the storm intensifies.
Get your beach and snorkel time in today and tomorrow on the leeward coast. Avoid summit hikes and offshore water sports Thursday through Saturday as conditions deteriorate. The track could shift significantly—check updates daily.
Created with AI from the official NWS forecast discussion · verify with NWS before heading out
