Wailea/Makena
Wailea/Makena
Why People Want to Live in Wailea & Makena
While technically a Kihei address, Wailea and its neighbor, Makena, are often grouped when discussing real estate. Both are located on the southwest coast of Maui, just south of Kihei, about 27 miles south of Lahaina. Wailea and Makena are known for their incredible beaches and five-star resorts. Here, you can golf, swim, shop for luxury brands, and treat yourself to the ultimate spa day.
Wailea – Makena
Maui’s main gateway is Kahului International Airport. Kahului is well-served by major US domestic carriers, which offer nonstop service to Maui from cities across the US. The US West Coast has ample flight service to Maui, with multiple departures from LA, San Francisco, and Seattle and nonstop service from several secondary airports.
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Is an In-Demand Luxury Market
Wailea – Makena has some of the most exclusive real estate on Maui. Home to some of Hawaii’s most prestigious hotels, including the Four Seasons Resort Maui and the Grand Wailea, the area draws affluent buyers for its incredible 5-star resort lifestyle.
Single-family homes and luxury condo residences generally define the real estate market in Wailea – Makena.
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is among the rich and famous who own homes here.
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Single Family Homes -
Condos
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Lots
Single Family Homes Single-Family Homes
As of Q1 of 2024, the median sale price for a single-family home in Wailea – Makena was $4,057,500.
One popular resort neighborhood is the Wailea Golf Estates. This gated community is built around the Wailea Blue Golf Course and features single-family homes. The Golf Estates are located just above award-winning Wailea Beach, consistently ranked among the top 10 beaches in the world.
Homes here sit on one-quarter to one-third acre lots and reflect various styles, from contemporary to California-villa chic. It’s an older development, with many homes built in the late 1980s. However, most of the homes have been completely renovated and upgraded. Our team sold this newly renovated home in 2021 for 3,500,000.
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Gated Communities
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Community Clubhouses
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Iconic Views
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Impeccable Community Landscaping
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Built-in Pools & Spas
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Typically One-Quarter to One-Half Acre
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Top-of-the-Line Finishes/Renovated
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Easy Access to Beach, Golf & Services
Wailea Kai
Another charming community is Wailea Kai. Located just five minutes from beautiful Keawakapu Beach, this neighborhood features ocean and mountain views. The Wailea Kai community is highly desirable for its gated entryways, community park, and 24-hour community patrol.
Our team represented the owners of this beautifully renovated three-bedroom, 2,109 sq. ft. home in Wailea Kai, which sold in December 2022 for $2,500,000.
Makena Homes
Makena is perhaps one of the most sought-after communities on Maui. The area is dotted with incredible estates that offer exceptional privacy and feel like micro-resorts. This is trophy-property central, where the homes tend to be larger, more opulent, and have more land than homes in neighboring Wailea.
Homes sold in Makena in 2023 ranged in price from $6- $32 mil. Our team facilitated the purchase of this gorgeous property.
Wailea
Condo residences in Wailea. There are luxury complexes located along the ocean, some offering direct access to the Wailea Beach Walk and others centered around golf courses.
The Wailea Beach Villas are in high demand, with recent sales at over $6 million. In September 2022, an oceanfront, three-bedroom Wailea Beach Villa closed for $11,575,000. This oceanfront luxury complex is prime real estate on Maui, as it features elegant residences, direct beach access, and the ability to offer the residence as a short-term rental. The Wailea Beach Villas are popular with family travelers and will rent from $900 – $2,000+ per night, allowing owners to help cover carrying costs.
For a sense of that market, here are sample sales from complexes in Wailea from the second half of 2022:
2022 Median Sales
As of Q1 of 2023, the median sale price for condo residences in Wailea was $2,456,250..
Schools
Wailea/Makena residents with keiki or children can choose from the following public and private schools.
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South Maui Montessori School
(Pre-school – Kindergarten)
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Horizons Academy
(Behavior Analytic Programs)
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Kamali’i Elementary School, Kihei
ELEMENTARY
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Lokelani Intermediate School, Kihei
INTERMEDIATE
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Kihei Charter School (K-12)
HIGH SCHOOL
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Hawaii Technology Academy
HIGH SCHOOL
Things to Do
Shopping
Wailea is home to the Shops at Wailea, an upscale shopping center next to the Grand Wailea Resort. This is Rodeo Drive brought to the beach, with Gucci, Prada, Bottega Veneta rubbing shoulders with local brands like Na Hoku fine jewelry and Crazy Shirts.
Dining
Wailea has incredible dining options. You’ll find big names like Ruth’s Chris Steak House and Wolfgang’s Steakhouse, and local spots offering fine dining and with innovated menus. Ferraro’s at the Four Seasons is an open-air space boasting sunset views, plenty of seating, live music, and a hula dancer from 5:30-6:30 nightly. The menu is Italian with an island accent. Monkeypod is another local favorite, with everything from ahi to Maui Cattle Company Cheeseburgers and Bulgogi Pork Tacos.
Spas
With 5-star hotels come 5-star spas. Both the Mōhalu by Spa Grande at the Grand Wailea and the Four Seasons offer incredible spa experiences. Several beachfront resorts offer spa services, including the Spa at Black Rock, often ranked among the best spas in Hawaii!
Golf
Wailea Golf Courses operates the Wailea Gold, Blue, and Emerald courses. These are award-winning courses peppered around Wailea and Makena. The Wailea Blue Golf Course is just across from the Grand Wailea and Four Seasons. The Emerald Course, located a bit closer to Makena, is billed as “family-friendly” because of its many junior programs.
Beach & Snorkel
Dr. Beach and others consistently rank Wailea Beach among the top ten beaches in the US, if not the world. We agree that it’s one of the best beaches on Maui.
Wailea Beach has a resort-style atmosphere, with a long sandy coastline perfect for lounging and recreating. You have excellent views of Kahoolawe and Molokini Crater, and during the winter months, you may even spot a whale!
The water is generally suitable for swimming, and there are many activities to enjoy, including snorkeling, boogie boarding, and body surfing. Wailea Beach is well-serviced, with bathrooms, showers, and easy access to public parking.
The beach can be a little crowded due to its beauty and ease of access. However, there are some other South Maui beaches that we can recommend.
Check out Keawakapu Beach and Polo Beach. These are long stretches of sand that generally offer calm waters and shade. The north end of Keawakapu has tide pools where you can check out the sea life – great for kids! Snorkeling is also good around the rocky outcropping.
For more information on South Maui and other beaches, check out the Exotic Estates beach guide
Note that some popular beaches on Maui are now charging visitors an access and parking fee. However, residents are allowed free entry. This new law is a bit controversial but is intended to make it easier for Maui residents to enjoy one of the island’s most valued and beloved resources.
