Two Centuries on the Water: The Native Hawaiian Family Behind Makana Charters

Waimea, United States – June 26, 2026 / Makana Charters /

Makana Charters Anchors Native Hawaiian-Led Tourism on Kauai’s Na Pali Coast

Long before the Na Pali Coast became one of Hawaii’s most photographed coastlines, a Native Hawaiian family was already guiding visitors along its cliffs. Makana Charters and Tours, based in Waimea on Kauai’s west side, traces that work to the early 1800s, and by the family’s account was the first to guide a foreign visitor along the Na Pali Coast, aboard double-hull sailing vessels launched from the same west-side base it operates from today.

That continuity shapes how Makana Charters approaches tourism on Kauai. The company operates as a Native Hawaiian, family-owned business and continues the legacy of Liko Kauai Cruises, with captains who share the island’s history and cultural context as part of every tour.

A Family Tour Legacy Dating to the Early 1800s

According to the company, its family history on Kauai includes early roles in island governance, the founding of schools and churches, the naming of Lihue, and the development of the island’s early economy. The family began guiding visitors along the Na Pali Coast generations ago, and that heritage is documented across the company’s story and background.

Cultural Captains as a Point of Difference

Makana Charters describes its captains as cultural captains, local guides who connect the geography of the coast to Hawaiian history and the family’s own lineage. Rather than treating the coastline as a backdrop, the captains narrate place names, history, and cultural meaning, which is a central reason guests cite when explaining why they tour with Makana Charters.

West-Side Operations, Closer to the Coast

Makana Charters runs most of its tours from Kikiaola Small Boat Harbor in Kekaha, with the Amelia K departing from Port Allen. The west-side launch points sit closer to the Na Pali Coast than many other operators, which the company says means less transit time and more time along the coastline. Its office, open to visitors, is at 4516 Alawai Road in Waimea, the historic west-side town that serves as the gateway to Waimea Canyon and west Kauai.

A Standard of Trust on the Na Pali Coast

The company’s approach is reflected in its reputation: more than 15,000 combined five-star reviews on Google and Tripadvisor, a 4.9-star rating on both platforms, and recognition on Tripadvisor every year from 2017 through 2026. Its fleet of five custom-built power catamarans runs 4.5- to 5-hour Na Pali Coast tours that include snorkeling, sea cave exploration, and wildlife viewing, with snorkel gear, a deli lunch, and refreshments included. Sea cave entry and snorkeling are weather- and ocean-condition dependent.

About Makana Charters

Makana Charters and Tours is a Native Hawaiian, family-owned and operated boat tour company on the west side of Kauai, Hawaii. Continuing the legacy of Liko Kauai Cruises and a family history on the island that dates to the early 1800s, Makana Charters runs 4.5- to 5-hour Na Pali Coast tours aboard a fleet of custom-built power catamarans. A local captain leads every tour and includes snorkel gear, flotation devices, a deli lunch, snacks, soft drinks, and an onboard restroom.