- 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- Each August-September, you can take in a movie oceanside at The Maui Film Festival, which includes the Taste of Wailea event where Maui chefs give you their very best to sample.
- Another calendar highlight is the Maui Whale Festival. Watch its parade with Whale-themed floats, then enjoy fun, food and activities all day in Kalama Park. It happens every February at the peak of the whale watching season.
- Maui’s biggest mall, The Shops at Wailea, is located in the heart of the resort, offering more than 70 stores & restaurants inside.
Hikes- Wailea Oceanfront Boardwalk Trail - 3.5 Miles roundtrip on paved path right along coastline. High use by joggers, walkers and pet owners. Take to Wailea Point for great whale watching (Nov – May).
- Hoapili Trail - 5.5 Mile hike that goes from La Pérouse Bay to Kanaio Beach. Takes in Ancient Hawaiian sites, lava fields, beaches & possibly feral goats. Can be hot. Covered shoes for lava rock crossing & bathing suit if you want to stop for a dip.
Golf- Wailea Gold Course - Designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. The hardest of Wailea’s 3 courses. Formerly home of the Wendy’s Champions Skins Game, Ancient Hawaiian lava rock walls were preserved as part of the landscape.
- Wailea Emerald Course - Designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr, it’s been rated #1 Golf Advisor’s Top Hawaii Courses in past years. Prized for its scenery & surroundings. Women-Friendly features.
- Wailea Blue Course - Designed by Arthur Jack Snyder, this is Wailea’s oldest course. Less challenging than Gold, with wider fairways, there is a more relaxed feel here. Ocean views at every hole.
Beaches- Wailea Beach - Past winner of Best Beach in America. Sits in front of Grand Wailea & Four Seasons, drawing local & tourist crowds. Great snorkeling & plenty of equipment rentals if you want to try something new.
- Poolenalena Beach - Parking isn’t great, but the beach is big and a favorite for sunsets. Volleyballers can find pick-up games here.
- Maluaka Beach (AKA Prince Beach) - Go here for snorkeling, boogie boarding & SUP. Has grassy area for lounging, too. Plenty of parking.
- Polo Beach - Long & wide beach with huge parking lot & launching place for SUPs and kayaks. Great boogie boarding breaks.
- Big Beach (AKA Oneola or Makena Beach) - Some say the Best Maui Beach. 2/3 mile long and 100+ feet wide. Great snorkeling & swimming, but be aware: breaks are strong here and injuries are common.
Tennis The
Wailea Tennis Club has 9 tennis & 10 pickleball courts, including 1 stadium court (capacity - 1,000) for tournaments. Membership gives you playing privileges plus clinics and private lessons with certified pros are also available. For tennis fanatics, the annual Tennis Fantasy Camp always features big name participants.
Dining- Gather On Maui - Very popular. American & Hawaiian cuisine served with live music in the evenings. Elegant interior and patio with views onto golf courses & ocean.
- Monkeypod Kitchen - Local & Contemporary dishes - fresh fish, hand tossed pizzas plus vegan options. Known especially for fish & poke tacos and their cocktails with local flavors.
- Ko Restaurant - Local & Hawaiian Cuisine, especially Seafood dishes. Vegan choices also. Upscale, looks out at Fairmont pool and palm trees. Known for signature Seafood Lau Lau.
- Matteo’s Osteria - Italian family-dining style restaurant. Locally sourced ingredients used. Claims to have the biggest wine selection (by the glass) in Hawaii.
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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