Makai Research Pier was built by the State of Hawaii for marine research. The Hawaii Underwater Research Laboratory, Makai Ocean Engineering, and several other commercial marine engineering companies are located there. The pier was the location of TC’s Island Hoppers in the Magnum PI series. Manana (Rabbit) Island is just off the pier, and smaller Kaohikaipu Island is southwest of the pier. On a clear day you can see Molokai