- Once the site of a whaling port and then a sugar plantation, Poipu’s modern development was kickstarted by the entrance of jet airplanes on Inter-Island flights in the 1960s, bringing tourism here to new levels.
- The 1st condominiums, Sunset Kahili and Prince Kuhio, both went up in 1969.
- Condo buildings all top out at 4 stories, following the Island’s ‘no taller than a coconut tree’ height limit.
- Most of Poipu is a Visitor Destination Area, which permits residences there to be leased out as vacation rentals.
Poipu Condo Communities (29) Oceanfront Poipu Condos (9)- Honu Kai Villas – Built in 1990. Oceanfront. 4 2 & 3BR units in 3 buildings. 2 villas are standalone and 2 are connected. Very near Brennecke’s Beach and Poipu Beach is just beyond that. Amenities include pool, spa. Vacation rentals allowed.
- Kiahuna Plantation – Built in 1978. Oceanfront community. 308 1BR, single-level & 2BR, 2-story units in 41 3-story buildings. This is a Leasehold property (lease up in 2058). Community fronts onto Poipu Beach. Residences have ocean, mountain and/or garden views. Amenities include pool, fitness center, tennis court, BBQs. Vacation rentals allowed.
- Kuhio Shores at Poipu – Built in 1973. Oceanfront. 76 1 & 2BR units in a 4-story, L-shaped building. All units have ocean views and look out on ‘Prince Kuhio’s’ surf break. Lawai Beach is almost next-door to the complex. Vacation rentals allowed.
- Makahuena – Built in 1979. Oceanfront community. 79 2 & 3BR, 1 & 2-story units in 5 buildings or 2, 3 & 4-stories. Mix of single-level and 2-story floor plans, both of which have an additional loft area in some residences. Very near Shipwreck, Brennecke’s and Poipu Beaches. Amenities include pool, spa, tennis court, BBQ. Vacation rentals allowed.
- Poipu Makai – Built in 1977. Oceanfront. 15 2 & 3BR, 1 & 2-story units in a 3-story building. Sits on the edge of a bluff. All units have ocean views. Near Brennecke’s Beach and Poipu Beach. Amenities include plunge pool, BBQ. Vacation rentals allowed.
- Poipu Palms – Built in 1973. Oceanfront community. 12 2BR units in a 3-story building. 10 minutes stroll to Brennecke’s Beach & Poipu Beach. Amenities include oceanfront pool, sundeck, BBQ. Vacation rentals allowed.
- Poipu Sands - Built in 1979. Oceanfront community. 73 1 – 3BR, 1 & 2-story units in 5 3-story buildings. Complex is located next to Shipwreck Beach. Residences have mountain, garden and/or ocean views. Amenities include pool, spa, tennis court, BBQ.
- Poipu Shores – Built in 1976. Oceanfront community. 40 1 - 3BR, 1 & 2-story units in 3 buildings of 4, 3 & 2-stories. Reasonably near Brennecke’s Beach and Poipu Beach. Amenities include pool, BBQs. Vacation rentals allowed.
- Whalers Cove at Poipu – Built in 1987. Oceanfront. 39 1 & 2BR units in 2 4-story buildings. 2BR residences can be single level or 2-story. Complex is next to Koloa Landing & Baby Beach is very close by. Amenities include pool, spa, BBQ. Vacation rentals allowed.
Not Oceanfront Poipu Condos (20)- Alihi Lani – Built in 1993. 6 2BR units in a 2-story building. Sits across the street from the ocean, with all units having views of the Pacific from their lanai. 1/2 mile to Kiahuna Beach. Amenities include pool, BBQ. Vacation rentals allowed.
- Hale Kahanalu - Built in 1974. 8 1 & 2BR units in a 3-story building. Said to be the closest condominium to Brennecke’s Beach (0.1 miles) & Poipu Beach (0.2 miles). Amenities include BBQ. Vacation rentals allowed.
- Kainani Villas (also called Kainani Villas at Kukuiula) – Built in 2017. 20 2 – 3BR, single-level units in 5 2-story buildings. Villas look out at the Kukui’ula Golf Course’s 3rd & 4th fairways and to the ocean. Some units have their own plunge pool. Vacation rentals allowed.
- Kauanoe O Koloa - 279 2 – 4BR single-level units in 30 3-story buildings. Community sits beside the fairways of Kiahuna Golf Course. Condos have golf course and mountain views. Amenities include 2 pools, 2 spas, fitness center, fitness track, clubhouse, BBQs. Vacation rentals allowed.
- Koloa Garden Apartments – Built in 1972. 21 1 & 2BR units in 5 2-story buildings. Located between Poipu and Koloa town. Condos have garden & mountain views. Amenities include pool, BBQ. Long term rentals only.
- Koloa Landing at Poipu Beach – Built in phases from 2009 – 2013. 323 2 & 3BR units in 19 4-story buildings. Owners have use of resort services & amenities, including gourmet market, day spa, cafe and more. Main pool has 3-tiers, walk-through waterfalls & splash pads. Property site is across the street from the ocean. Amenities include 3 pools, 24-hour fitness center, business center, BBQs. Vacation rentals allowed.
- Lawai Beach Resort – Built in 1994. 176 1 & 2BR units in 4 4-story buildings. Only 4 full ownership condos, the rest are timeshare units. Lawai Beach is across the street. Amenities include 3 pools, 3 spas, fitness center, rooftop tennis court, BBQs. Vacation rentals allowed.
- Nihi Kai Villas – Built in 1978. 79 units in 8 1 & 2-story buildings. Across the street from the ocean, it’s a stone's throw from Brennecke & Poipu Beaches. Amenities include pool, kids pool, 2 tennis/pickleball courts, concierge service, BBQs. Vacation rentals allowed.
- Pili Mai at Poipu – Built between 2015 – 2020. 191 2 - 4BR, 1 & 2-story units 15 2 & 3-story buildings. All residences have their own enclosed garage. Buildings on the west side line Kiahuna Golf Course fairway. Residences have golf course, mountain and garden views. Amenities include pool, kids pool, spa, fitness center, BBQs. Vacation rentals allowed.
- Poipu Crater – Built in 1979. 30 2-story townhome units in 15 duplex buildings. Unique community surrounded by high, thick green growth, which walls off the outside. Very close to Poipu or Shipwreck Beach from home. Amenities include pool, tennis court, putting green, clubhouse. Vacation rentals allowed.
- Poipu Kai Resort - 7 condominiums inside a 70 acre resort, which extends to Shipwreck Beach on the east and Poipu Beach on the west. Landscaped walking paths take you all over the resort. There is a community pool & hot tub, as well as the Poipu Kai Tennis Club, which has 8 courts. The condo properties also have their own amenities. All of Poipu Kai Resort is inside the Visitor Destination Area, so every condo residence is eligible to be let as a vacation rental.
The 7 Poipu Kai Resort Condos:
- Kahala at Poipu Kai I – Built in 1980. 82 1 & 2BR units in 10 3-story buildings. 2BRs are all on the 1st floor. Some top floor 1BRs have added a loft space. Some higher-up residences have ocean views. Located next to Poipu Kai Tennis Club.
- Makanui – Built in 1980. 22 1 – 3BR, 1 & 2-story units in 7 1 & 3-story buildings. Some top floor condos have a loft. Units have mountain and/or ocean views. Amenities include a pool.
- Manualoha – Built in 1979. 64 1 – 3BR, 1 & 2-story units in 11 3-story buildings. The complex is on the western end, very near to Poipu Beach Park. Residences have views of the mountains and/or ocean. Amenities include BBQ.
- Poipu Sands - Built in 1979. Oceanfront community. 73 1 – 3BR units in 6 3-story buildings. Complex is located next to Shipwreck Beach. Residences have mountain, garden and/or ocean views. Amenities include pool, spa, tennis court, BBQ.
- Regency at Poipu Kai (Regency I & Regency II) – Built in 1991. 73 2 & 3BR units in 9 2-story buildings. Some 2BR and all 3BR condos have an additional loft space. Units have garden, mountain and/or ocean views. Amenities include 2 pools, 2 spas.
- Regency Villas at Poipu Kai – Built in 2004. 14 2 & 3BR, single-level and 2-story townhome units in 2 2-story buildings. Condos have mountain and garden views. Amenities include pool, spa, fitness center, meeting room, BBQ.
- Villas at Poipu Kai – Built in 2008. 27 3 & 4BR units in 6 3-story buildings. Some 3BR condos have an additional den. Amenities include pool, spa, fitness center.
- Poipu Kapili – Built in 1980. 60 1 & 2BR, 1 & 2-story units in 7 2 & 3-story buildings. Some 2BRs have 2-floors. Across the street from the ocean. Kiahuna Beach is less than ½ mile away. Amenities include pool, tennis court, pickleball court, concierge service, BBQs. Vacation rentals allowed.
- Prince Kuhio – Built in 1969. 72 Studio - 2BR units in a 4-story building. Across the street from the ocean, giving all units a view of the Pacific. Location is next to Kuhio & Lawai Beaches. Amenities include pool, BBQ. Vacation rentals allowed.
- Sunset Kahili - Built in 1969. 36 1 & 2BR units in a 5-story building. This is a Leasehold property (lease ends 2042). Sits directly behind Poipu Shores, so some condos have ocean views. Amenities include pool, BBQ. Vacation rentals allowed.
- Waikomo Stream Villas – Built in 1980. 60 1 & 2BR units in 5 3-story buildings. The 2nd bedroom in 2BR condos is in a loft area, which also has its own bathroom. Complex is next to The Shops at Kukuiula. Close to Koloa Landing and not far from to Baby Beach. Amenities include pool, children’s pool, BBQs. Vacation rentals allowed.
Life in Poipu Poipu is a beach town, both literally and in its less hurried approach to life.
Poipu Beach Park is the center of shoreline activity, but others have their special attractions, like
Lawai Beach’s snorkeling and the surfing at
Kiahuna Beach.
Live music and food, 2 mainstays of Hawaii life, are part of daily life, too. The weekly
Kauai Culinary Market and larger events like the
Poipu Food & Wine Festival in October are just a start.
There’s also many restaurants, from food trucks to fine dining, to try, like
Red Salt, a Best Restaurant on Kauai vote winner, or
Tidepools, where you dine at tables in a koi fish filled lagoon.
Golfers have
Poipu Bay Golf Course and
Kiahuna Golf Club that offer both challenging holes and layouts that go from oceanfront to lava rock formations, bringing your game a Hawaii-only experience.
Hiking is a special pleasure, with trails like the
Mahaulepu Heritage Trail and the
Poipu Beach to Kiahuna Beach Loop taking you through tropical greenery, Native Hawaiian archaeological sites, oceanfront scenery and more, with beaches on both ends to enjoy.
There’s much more to this area, which you can read about in the Things to Do in Poipu section of our
Poipu Homes for Sale page.
Other Pages
