installing jetpack on mamp localhost

Hi. I’m learning wordpress and I’ve done a local install using mamp.

I wanted to install the jetpack plug-in but can’t finish installing the plug in because I can’t connect to wordpress.com. I was able to search for and download the plug in through the admin on the localhost install so it’s connecting to some things. But not wordpress.com.

Will I have to omit this plug in and others that require a connection to wordpress on my localhost?

When I get to the part:

Your Jetpack is almost ready – A connection to WordPress.com is needed to enable features like Comments, Stats, Contact Forms, and Subscriptions. Connect now to get fueled up!

I get this:

site_inaccessible

Error Details: The Jetpack server was unable to communicate with your site [IXR -32300: transport error: http_request_failed couldn't connect to host]

thanks
kvn