Aki's Beach — Attraction in Hawaii

All the beaches along Waianae and Makaha are inundated with homeless encampments. Google images are a lie or hopelessly out of date. I don't see any google maps images showing the vast volumes (hundreds to thousands) of homeless encampment tent "villages" all along the waianae and makaha coast. Almost EVERY beach is overwhelmed with the highly unfortunate houseless encampments which the county visibly is doing ZERO to address. Visible poverty is staggering. The odor palpable in several places (think what do you do when there are no facilities for biological needs). It may be the ocean water is contaminated as result. You will easily be witness to the many meth-induced violent people (verbally at least) and hullicigenic people - yelling and talking to themselves, loitering around all local businesses, tapping into the facilities/infrastructure - such as showers, overtaken by DIY plumbing to bring water to dozens of homeless tents. There may be genuine disadvantaged local people, but clearly mental illness and drug addiction abound. If severe poverty and homeless tents bother you, you will want to drive through or avoid these string of beaches and towns.

That said, the area is stunningly beautiful from a nature perspective and local businesses are decent, nice with great food options, although many local people are also noticeably not very "welcoming" to tourists/outsiders. I hate to think it, but it could be a skin color driven thing or a "anti-mainlander" thing.

I actually want to live here, but although I empathize with the plight of houseless-ness, the situation seems at the tipping point and anyone seeking to relocate here, risks seeing property values plummet due to the increasing crisis of the homeless situation here, not to mention that it requires you to numb your emotions at the inhumane conditions people endure. It makes me very sad, as I so love Hawaii and the culture. I don't feel the "Aloha...

I live in the area and go to that beach quite often, I love to see people looking around and smiling with there family, I'm glad people actually pick up there opala (Rubbish) from the beach. The tourist usually refure to the beach as "Turtle Beach" when in fact the rightful name is Akis, it's kinda rude and disrespectful to not call it by the name, and it makes most locals pretty mad when they use the wrong name. I go surfing out there quite often aswell so if I see somone needs help, as a jr. Lifegaurd it's my duty to help. Overall lve been living here all my life and people should and come and see the gorges ocean, sunsets and turtles. Just remember to pick up trash...

I would of loved to get in but unfortunately I was not prepared, but that did not stop us from checking out all of the beautiful views and all of the turtles there. I believe me and my wife finally count was 12 of them that is the most that I have seen at one beach before and we did mange to see some fish while being up on top of the rocks i can't wait to go back with my GoPro, to this hidden gem is a must see if you are in the area. The early the better as there is limited parking in this neighborhood. Look though my pictures as i left you tips to get here. I hope this helps you out and have...