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

Explanation

The word makai is used in directions in Hawaii to mean "toward the sea" or "oceanward." When someone tells you to head makai, that means to head in the direction of the water. Makai combines the Hawaiian words ma, meaning "at, toward, beside, or on," and kai, meaning "sea." On the Hawaiian islands, the opposite direction of makai is mauka, "toward the mountains." Because the Hawaiian islands are surrounded by water and often have volcanic mountains near their centers, the sea and the mountains are useful landmarks for giving directions. So if you're told that the shaved ice stand is on the makai side of the shopping center, you should head to the side facing the water.