Makiki is a Hawaiʻian word that identifies a stone used to weigh down octopus lures. In Honolulu it refers also to a neighborhood uphill from the Lunalilo Freeway between downtown and the neighborhood of Manoa. It contains many older homes, numerous apartment buildings and high rise condominium structures. The area also includes public schools, a hospital, several churches of various denominations, a library, a community center, a market place, parks and Punahou School, a private school that began in 1842 with the mission of educating missionary children. It has become a very popular location due to its ease of access to downtown, the beach, Waikiki, shopping and restaurants. As one ascends Tantalus hill the area is called Makiki Heights where there are larger single family homes, many of which were designed by world-class architects and boast stunning views of the cityscape, sunrise, sunset, and ocean.
