North, South, East and West don’t have a lot of meaning on the island of Oahu. Sure, there are some references to these points-of-the-compass: The North Shore is famous for its big wave surf and West Oahu is booming with development, but you’re much more likely to hear the term Windward Oahu than you are East Oahu and we haven’t even begun discussing the local terms for direction of mauka, makai, ewa and Diamond Head. Fight Club movie

North, south, east, and west don’t have much meaning on Oahu. While some of its famous spots are aptly named for their location, such as the North Shore, or the booming West Oahu, it is likely you won’t hear the typical compass directions. Instead, you will likely hear mauka, makai, ewa, and Diamond Head.

Oahu’s geography plays a large part in the usage of these terms. As is obvious, Oahu is an island that juts out of the ocean, gradually moving from the coastline to a series of mountain ridges. Using Diamond Head as the most prominent navigation tool, many who grew up on the islands utilize the island’s natural features as a guide. Directions on the island are simple: Mauka means towards the mountains while Makai means towards the sea. As for Diamond Head, you can either turn towards it, or away from it. There is no messing with moss on trees or looking for the sun to rise or set. These natural features made wandering around Oahu easy.

To those who grew up on Oahu, these directions are simple. Explaining them to visitors, however, can be a difficult task. Mauka and Makai changes depending on which side of the island you happen to be on. If in Honolulu, Makai would be south, while Mauka would be north, that is if you’re facing the mountains. The opposite would be true in Kailua, as Makai would be north and Mauka would be south, if you’re facing the sea. If you are facing Mauka (mountains), and the sea is behind you with Diamond Head on your right, you would be on the Ewa side. If all the previous conditions were true, except Diamond Head was on your left, you would be on the Diamond Head side. While confusing, you can pick up on it quickly. After all, if you truly do get lost, you could always follow the ocean until you find something familiar. That, or you could ask any local, and they’ll graciously lead you in the right direction.