Life in Mililani (Mauka)
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9/20/2009
Mauka, in Hawaiian, means "toward the mountains". When referring to Mililani, Hawaii, it means that portion of Mililani Town which lies close to the Ko'olau mountains, the major mountain range running mostly north-south which divides the island of Oahu into what are commonly referred to as the windward (eastern) and leeward (western) sides. It is separated from what local folks call the Mililani Town area by the H-2 freeway, with the newer 'Mililani Mauka' residential area on the mountain side and the older Mililani Town portion on the "Makai" (toward the ocean) side. Most island folks don't use the usual mainlanders' north, south, east & west direction references.
The Mililani Town area includes all three of the main shopping centers (Mililani Town Center, Mililani Shopping Center & Mililani Market Place). Conversely, Mililani Mauka is primarily residential with the occasional one small gas station and very small strip mall near my home. I guess the main thing one would notice first about 'Mauka' is the amount of open and green space. That was a prime consideration when the area was concieved and built. It's the main reason, together with the quiet of the area, that most people give for moving here. The climate is a bit cooler on average in Mililani Mauka also, as we're a a bit higher altitude than other areas such as Honolulu proper and the more populated southern and eastern parts of the island.
There's an eclectic mix ages, backgrounds, income levels and ethnic groups in Mililani Mauka. It was designed from the beginning that way. We have both long-time Hawaii residents (kamaainas) and 'malihini', or newcomers. My local neighborhood, for example, contains lots of military members from neighboring Schofield Barracks and Wheeler Army Airfield, as well has a few Air Force and Navy personnel who commute to nearby Hickam Air Force Base & Pearl Harbor Naval Base. We even have a Marine or two from Kaneohe Marine base on the windward side of the island.
For recreation, Mililani Town, including the Mauka area boasts six recreation centers (I believe there's a seventh one due to open this year). You can find enthusiats for all kinds of sports from football to tennis to windsurfing. There are classes offered in several types of yoga, martial arts and exercise programs, not to mention many different arts and crafts classes and several after-school programs for the 'Keiki' (kids).
If you are interested in more academic pursuits, day and evening classes abound at both Leeward Community College in nearby Pearl City and the West Oahu campus of the University of Hawaii.
Oahu has an excellent bus transportation system including a 'Handy Van' program for handicapped and senior citizens. An elevated fixed guideway rail transit system is planned for the main commuter corrider from leeward Oahu into the airport and on through to downtown Honolulu and eventually to the main campus of the University of Hawaii. And, of course car commuters can always use the H1-H2 freeway system, though that can get rather congested at peak times.
Crime in Mililani Mauka, like most of the City & County of Honolulu, and, indeed, most of Hawaii is very low compared to most cities of equal size on the mainland. I'm sure glad I was able to raise my child here without many of the major problems I've continually read and heard about in many of the big crime areas on the West Coast and back east. People in Mililani Mauka by and large reflect the same spirit of Aloha found throughout Hawaii. Maybe some day that attitude will catch on with the rest of the country. Wouldn't that be great?
majic5zero | Mililani Town, HI