WAIMEA, Hawaii — A Native Hawaiian family-owned tour company on Kauai is emphasizing its west-side launch point as a way to offer passengers more time along the Na Pali Coast and less time in transit. Makana Charters and Tours, based in Waimea, operates most of its tours from Kikiaola Small Boat Harbor in Kekaha, with one vessel departing from Port Allen, positioning the fleet closer to the coastline than many competitors.
The company traces its guiding legacy to the early 1800s, when family members first took foreign visitors along the Na Pali Coast aboard double-hull sailing vessels from the same west-side base. According to the company, its family history includes roles in island governance, founding schools and churches, and naming Lihue. That heritage is documented on the company’s story and background page.
Makana Charters’ captains are described as “cultural captains” who connect the geography of the coast to Hawaiian history and the family’s lineage. Rather than treating the coastline as a backdrop, they narrate place names, history, and cultural meaning — a central reason guests cite when explaining why they tour with Makana Charters.
The company’s 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 provided. Sea cave entry and snorkeling are weather- and ocean-condition dependent.
The company’s reputation is reflected in 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 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.
By launching from the west side, the company reduces transit time to the Na Pali Coast, allowing more time along the cliffs. For travelers booking Na Pali Coast tours, this operational choice means a longer experience on the water without adding to the overall tour duration. The company continues the legacy of Liko Kauai Cruises and operates as a Native Hawaiian, family-owned business, with captains who share the island’s history and cultural context as part of every tour.
