Makana Charters and Tours, a Native Hawaiian family-owned business based in Waimea on Kauai's west side, is drawing on a legacy that dates to the early 1800s to offer guests more time on the Na Pali Coast and less time in transit. By launching its fleet of custom-built power catamarans from Kikiaola Small Boat Harbor in Kekaha and Port Allen, the company positions itself closer to the coastline than many other operators, reducing travel time and maximizing the 4.5- to 5-hour tours.
According to the company, its family history on Kauai includes early roles in island governance, the founding of schools and churches, and contributions to the island's early economy. The family began guiding visitors along the Na Pali Coast generations ago, a heritage documented on the company's story and background page. Makana Charters continues the legacy of Liko Kauai Cruises, with captains who share the island's history and cultural context as part of every tour.
The company 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.
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, which the company notes means less transit time and more time spent along the coastline itself. 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.
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 provided. Sea cave entry and snorkeling are weather- and ocean-condition dependent.
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.
