- Less than 20% of Wailea' residential properties are single-family homes. The remaining 80% are condos.
- We cover both Wailea & Makena homes here due to their close proximity to each other and the fact they are upscale communities. The 2 sit side-by-side on the western end of Maui’s south coastline, just below Kihei.
- Both are resort communities, with Wailea having more of a seamless connection/consistent development, being a master-planned community, originally under 1 developer, Alexander & Baldwin. Makena is a bit more secluded, further away from the commercial aspects that Wailea has to offer.
Wailea Single-Family Homes All Wailea home subdivisions are gated, except for The Ridge at Wailea. The lots were sold vacant and owners were allowed, within certain restrictions, to build homes of their choice. Vacant lots might still be available in certain subdivisions.
Wailea Subdivisions- Maluhia at Wailea - Built 2002. 14 lots with 2-story homes (5 oceanfront, 9 Inland), 3 to 5BR. Land slopes downward to water, preserving views for all owners. Clubhouse, pool and BBQ area.
- The Ridge at Wailea - Built 2013. 9 half-acre lots with 1 & 2-story houses of 3+ BR. Views extend from mountains to ocean.
- Wailea Fairway Estates - Built 1977. 31 lots of 12k – 18k sq ft, homes of 3 to 6BR over 1 or 2 Stories. Subdivision sits on the hillside of Mokapu Beach Park, along blue course’s 13th & 14th fairways.
- Wailea Golf Estates - Built in 1984 (Phase I) and 2016 (Phase II). 61 lots released in P1, with 16 more added in P2. 1 or 2 story homes with 3 to 5BR. Blue course fairways on 3 sides of subdivision. Every home has its own pool & spa.
- Wailea Golf Vistas - Built 2004. 48 lots, with 3+ BR, 1 & 2 story homes on lots of 11k – 18k sq ft. Blue course surrounds the subdivision.
- Wailea Highlands - Built in 1998. 24 lots, averaging ½ acre, with 3+ BR, 1 & 2 story homes. Clearer views here due to elevated location & sloped lands.
- Wailea Kai - Built 1985. 100 lots with 3+ BR, 1 & 2 story homes. Neighborhood is across street from Keawakapu Beach. Private Community Park.
- Wailea Kialoa - Built 2001. 102 Lots (9K – 13.5K Sq Ft) with 3 - 4 BR, 1 & 2 story homes. Neighborhood has 3 entrances. Considered ‘more affordable’ of Wailea subdivisions.
- Wailea Pualani Estates - Built in 1995. 92 Lots (10K – 12K Sq Ft) with custom 3+ BR, 1 & 2 story homes. Private 2.5 acre park.
Makena Single-family Homes Makena’s single-family home communities are also very impressive. Like Wailea, these are lots that were sold empty, allowing owners to build as they chose, within set guidelines. Some vacant lots can still be found in Makena.
Makena Single-family Home Communities- Black Sands at Makena - Built in 2004 on One’uli Beach, 1 of only 2 black sand beaches on Maui. 7 oceanfront 2-story homes primarily of 5BR. 2 lots of 1 acre, 5 of ½ acre. Gated community.
- Keauhou at Makena - Built in 2002. 7 elevated lots of 2.5 to 5 acres with views out over Palauea Beach Park. Homes have 4+ BR and 2-story. $41M sale here in 2015 was a Maui record for a time. Gated community.
- One Palauea Bay - Built 2003. 17 homes, lots slightly over 1 acre. Restrictions limit to 1 story, except on top 2 lots. Protected archaeological site to the south guarantees a natural buffer forever. Subdivision has its own private beach access & outdoor showers. Gated community.
- Papaanui - Built 2008. 7 Lots of 15k - 23k sq ft. 2-story, 2+ BR homes. Sloped terrain preserves ocean sightlines for back row lots. Across the street from popular Makena Landing.
Things To Do in Wailea & Makena Wailea and Makena offer a resort lifestyle built around beaches, golf, dining and outdoor recreation. The area has several white-sand beaches ideal for swimming, snorkeling and sunsets, including some of the most photographed shorelines on Maui. Residents also enjoy the Wailea Beach Path, which runs along the coastline and is popular for morning walks, whale watching and easy access between the resorts.
Wailea is home to three championship golf courses, the Wailea Tennis Club with extensive tennis and pickleball facilities, and a range of restaurants located throughout the resorts and at The Shops at Wailea. Annual events in the area include the Maui Film Festival, the Maui Whale Festival, and seasonal cultural programs hosted by the local hotels.
Outdoor enthusiasts can explore coastline trails, nearby lava fields, or calm-water bays for paddling and SUP. With beaches, golf, dining and resort amenities all within a small geographic area, Wailea and Makena provide one of Maui’s most convenient and activity-rich residential settings.
History of Wailea & Makena Both Wailea and Makena were sites of ancient Hawaiian settlements that have left remnants you can see today. In more recent times, the lands of Wailea-Makena were almost all completely owned by the Ulupalakua Ranch, which started operations in the 1890s. During WWII, it was taken over by the military, most famously to teach amphibious landing to the soldiers.
Today’s Wailea property, which was only part of the ranch, was sold in 1957 to the Matson Company, who planned a hotel development. Nothing came of that until Matson was acquired by Alexander & Baldwin in the 1960s. They saw the same potential of the place and started the creation of what you see today.
Makena’s lands were sold in different phases, the largest parcel in the 1970s to Japanese investors. The Maui Prince Hotel & its golf course opened in 1986, establishing this area finally as another upscale resort, just like Wailea. Since then, hotel properties have come and gone on each side of the Wailea-Makena border, but the homes remain and continue to drive demand.
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