makai

American  

[muh-kahy] / məˈkaɪ /

adverb

Hawaii.

1. toward or by the sea; seaward.

   He agreed to purchase the land makai of Diamond Head Road.

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Usage

What does makai mean? Makai means toward the sea.Makai is a common term in Hawaiian that has been adopted into English. It describes the location of something in terms of being near or at the ocean, or seaward.Related to makai is mauka, meaning "toward the mountains or inland.” People in Hawaii often give directions in terms of whether something is toward the ocean (makai) or the mountains (mauka), especially in boating and sea travel.Example: The hiking trail makai of the reservation has lovely ocean views.

Etymology

Origin of makai

< Hawaiian, equivalent to ma directional particle + kai ocean

Example Sentences

In Makai Lemon and Ja’Kobi Lane, USC had arguably the nation’s best 1-2 punch at wideout in college football this season.

From Los Angeles Times

Kamari Ramsey, Makai Lemon, Ja’Kobi Lane, Lake McRee and Eric Gentry are among the players who will not be playing for USC against TCU in the Alamo Bowl.

From Los Angeles Times

USC announced Tuesday that redshirt junior quarterback Jayden Maiava had re-signed for the upcoming season and is not joining Makai Lemon and Ja’Kobi Lane — USC’s two best receivers — in declaring for the 2026 NFL draft.

From Los Angeles Times

Instead, Maiava will run it back at USC, where the Trojans are set to return most of their dynamic 2025 offense in 2026 — the exception being their top two wideouts Makai Lemon and Ja’Kobi Lane, who both declared for the draft.

From Los Angeles Times

Riley announced that safety Kamari Ramsey, receivers Makai Lemon and Ja’Kobi Lane, tight end Lake McRee and linebacker Eric Gentry will not play in the Alamo Bowl.

From Los Angeles Times