Hawaii Real Estate Blog

The August 8, 2023 devastated Lahaina town at its very core. The high-density area was victim to the deadliest wildfire in the history of our nation, resulting in over 2K lost homes and over 115 lives lost. Catastrophic. Maui will need support for a long time, please consider donating to a worthwhile cause (click here for some examples).

In an effort to provide relevant information for those who need it, please click here for a high-resolution map of the affected area. Additionally, view the map below as put together by the New York Times. We do no warrant information to be accurate. 

Based on the available mapping, the following condominium properties have sustained significant fire damage (due to the large number of single-family residences, we are not…

It is with a heavy heart that we write this post. The recent fires on Maui have affected our friends and families in tragic ways. As we await for assessments of what has been lost and on plans for a road to recovery and healing, we are ask on how we can we rally as a community to show support.

We humbly ask that if you want to contribute, please donate to any of the organizations below, where your support can help those in immediate need. Visit the Maui Nui Strong website (click here) for updated information on how volunteer and donate. We thank you for your generosity and for spreading the spirit of Aloha.

Maui Food Bank Donate





Keep the affected victims in your thoughts and prayers, as we rally behind them to provide support.

Maui Real Estate Market Update 2022
Navigating through the Maui Real Estate Market in 2022?

Much is being said about the state of the real estate market, with some pundits sticking their head in the sand saying nothing has changed and on the opposite end, some saying the sky is falling.  As a service to our clients and site visitors, we would like to briefly discuss the Maui real estate market through the lens of statistics. 

To start, let's recognize that real estate trends / conditions are incredibly locally-based and even within an area, there could be significantly different conditions across micro-markets. So although back in San Francisco the market may be doing one thing, we may be seeing something very different on Maui - and even within Maui, conditions in Wailea may be widely…

Maui Property Taxes 2022-23


Maui Property Taxes 2022

Below are the new tax rates, effective for the fiscal year from July 31, 2022 through June 30, 2023. For owner-occupants, Maui remains as one of the lowest tax rates in the entire country. Additionally, this year includes the introduction of new tax rates and tiers.

CATEGORY TAX RATE
Agricultural $5.74
Apartment $3.50
Commercial $6.05
Commercial- Residential $4.40
Conservation $6.43
Hotel and Resort $11.75
Industrial $7.05
Long Term Rental - Tier 1 (up to $1M) $3.00
Long Term Rental - Tier 2 ($1M-3M) $5.00
Long Term Rental - Tier 3 ($3M+) $8.00
Owner-Occupied - Tier 1 (up to $1M) $2.00

Maui Permits for Construction

Question: I have a house in Maui Meadows and I'm thinking of putting new cabinets and counter top in my kitchen, do I need to get permits for this?


Great question. There is large-spread misunderstanding as to what must be permitted work when doing improvements to properties on the the County of Maui. As always, our strong advice is to consult with licensed professionals (general contractors, electricians), building planners, the County's Planning Department, architects, and others, as needed. The Planning Department shares Aloha with citizenry and is incredibly helpful - contact them directly at (808) 270-7735 with questions. Additionally, please refer to Chapter 16.26B, as referencing to the Building Code - click here to view. Pasting the pertinent part…

Hawaii Surfer

Disclaimer: The post below is as per input from a local surfer, not from the author (who is not a surfer).

Whether new to surfing or a seasoned pro, Maui is a one-stop destination for those who are looking for both large barrels and sloping longboarding waves. There are two different seasons for each type of wave. In the summer months, swells push mainly from the west and south that bring in rolling relatively small waves. Alternatively, in the winter months, swells shift and come in from the north that brings in much larger waves. This shift makes the surf in towns like Waiehu, Kahului, and Paia ideal for many short boarders, with many of world-class surfers doing their annual migration to Maui's North Shore to master their skills.

Some of the most…

Hawaii COVID Face Mask Rules

Update November 17, 2020:

As announced on November 16 by Governor Ige through the 15th Proclamation, now Hawaii has a Statewide set of rules, the purpose of which is to make rules uniform, easier to understand and comply. View the full 72-page Proclamation for all details, but in the meantime below are pertinent details regarding the new rules:

All individuals shall wear face coverings over their noses and mouths when in public settings. The only exceptions to this requirement are:

A - Individuals with medical conditions or disabilities where the wearing of a face covering may pose a health or safety risk to the individual;

B- Children under the age of 5;

C - While working at a desk or work station and not actively engaged with other employees, customers, or…

The booming food truck trend has been revolutionizing the food scene across the US for a decade and it is continuing to evolve on Maui, with current trucks slinging everything from acai bowls to Thai food and everything in between. In the small but bustling town of Kihei, on the south side of Maui, there has been an ever-expanding array of food trucks. Spending some time exploring our sleepy beach town and then find a food truck to satisfy every craving.

Photo as posted on Yelp by Timothy H.

Kihei Food Truck - Kitoko

Starting off the south side food truck tour is one of the most popular locations for both locals and visitors to experience true food truck cuisine: Kihei Station, located at 1 Piikea Avenue (diagonal from Long's). There is a small community of food trucks where there…

Hike Maui

Some of the biggest attractions on Maui are the multitude of pristine beaches that can be found at almost any point on the island - from Makena to Kapalua and everywhere in between. In exploring the Valley Isle, there is so much more to be seen than just stunning beaches. The Hawaiian Islands are also known for a plethora of varying climate zones, making it one of the most diverse places. There is a hike to suit any preference and skill level, from the West Maui Mountains to lush highland forests in Haiku.

Beginner – Many options are available when looking for a leisurely stroll to see Maui’s spectacular terrain. Before the winding road to Hana, Twin Falls in Haiku offers opportunities to take a dip in cooling freshwater streams and experience the Hawaiian…

Hawaii Real Estate COVID 19

Updated November 15, 2020. Note: As an on-going service to our clients and site visitors, we will be updating this page weekly (on Sundays) in order to provide the most up-to-date, real-time market data on which informed decisions can be made. Last update: November 15, covering October and September. It was a long summer, it's finally cooling down.

First, our thoughts and prayers to all of those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic crisis and the significant social, economic, and geo-political effects that will arise from it. And to the first-responders and healthcare professionals on the front-line, our gratitude.

As the economic effects of the COVID-19 start being reflected in the real estate sector, it is vital to have real-time information. We are updating…