Makai Research Pier
4.4 (101)attraction
4.4 (101)A working marine engineering outpost that doubles as one of Waimanalo’s most intriguing coastal landmarks.
Description
Established in 1973, the pier serves as the operational home of Makai Ocean Engineering, a think tank focused on complex marine challenges. Work on site centers on ocean-based renewable energy technologies like ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) and seawater air conditioning, developed alongside subsea R&D, marine pipelines, and submarine cable planning software. While appreciated as a scenic stop along the coast, it remains fundamentally an active, working technical facility.
