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The history of Maui real estate since the 1970's

By
Real Estate Agent with Maui Earth Realty LLC

Before the 1970's most visitors that came to the Hawaiian Islands came to Waikiki on Oahu.

The Maui Lu was the only resort on Maui's south shore, this resort was built by a Canadian logger Gordon Gibson and named after a yacht he sailed across the Pacific, it housed the snowbirds that would hide out in Maui for the winter. 

In the 70's "Maui was found"

  • Amfac developed Kaanapali and Maui started gaining in popularity.
  • condos were developed on the shores of Kihei.  Hale Kamaole, Haleakala Shores, Kamaole Beach Royale, Kamaole Nalu, Kihei Akahi, Kihei Alii Kai, Kihei Surfside, Kihei Parkshore, Mana Kai, Punahoa Beach, Royal Mauian, Shores of Maui, Island Surf, Maui Sunset, Waiohuli Beach Hale, Waipuilani and Kihei Beach Resort and many others. 
  • Wailea Ekahi and Wailea Elua were built on the ocean in Wailea.
  • The Intercontinental Hotel and the Maui Beach Hotel were built in Wailea.

Previously, Kihei had been considered "out of the way and off the beaten path" With pavement only to Keawakapu beach there was mostly cactus and Kiawe throughout Wailea and Makena area.  Upcountry and the north shore including Kula, Pukalani, Makawao, and Haiku were all very rural farming communities.

In the late 1980's the Japanese buyers came to Maui with their strong Yen.  They bought up Maui real estate like it was going out of style until the mid 90's when their economy began to falter. 

In the mid 1990"s Wailea's master planned community sprouted three new luxury resorts.  The Grand Hyatt Resort (Now the Grand Wailea), the Four Seasons Resort, and the Kealani Hotel (now the Fairmont Kealani)  With all the luxury accommodations and golf courses and fantastic beaches, Wailea had become "the  crown jewel" of Maui.

In west Maui Kapalua's planned community development was reaching maturity with beautiful Villas, Homes and two luxury hotels, the Ritz Carlton and the Kapalua Bay Hotel.

From the late 1990's till 2006 the Maui real estate was booming, many of the buyers came from the mainland and much of the money came from the stock market and Internet companies.

Recently, Maui's real estate market has cooled down, with far more opportunities for buyers than the last few years.  With all that our lovely island has to offer, it will always be sought after by mainland and foreign buyers alike.

For more Maui real estate information contact Karen Williamson R(s)

      A beautiful Maui sunset

Bob Sommers
Sommers Communication - Kihei, HI
The Likeability Guy

Great article on Maui. I love it here and I'm probably one of the few people who enjoy the growth. I don't know what I would do without a Borders Books Store. South Maui is slowly changing and my home has lost a few hundred thousand dollars in value, but that's OK because I don't plan on leaving anytime soon.

With the American dollar so low, who will be the next group to purchase Maui property?

Sep 26, 2007 10:21 PM
» Bill Burress Nationwide Mortgage Originator
» Bill Burress Nationwide Mortgage Originator - Fort Myers, FL

Karen:

Thanks for the history of Maui.  I never knew it was founded in the 1970s.  Very good post.

Aloha

Sep 26, 2007 11:08 PM
Karen Willliamson
Maui Earth Realty LLC - Kihei, HI
Wailea Hawaii real estate

Hey Bob, how are you??? I hope well.  Ya, I feel the same, I know our property values have gone down some, but I'm not going anywhere.  And if you're gonna live in Kihei is there any better place then where we are (Maui Meadows)?  

I think we will see Canadians and also I have noticed South korea's $ is very strong.  Check out these articles: 

http://www.realestatejournal.com/buysell/markettrends/20060711-park.html

http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/03/06/bloomberg/sxhomes.php

 

 

 

Sep 27, 2007 08:29 AM
Anonymous
Anonymous

Gordon Gibson's yacht maui lu was re-named for or after the passage between vancouver. It has previously been know as the "norsal'.

Nov 02, 2012 12:51 PM
#4
Anonymous
Jane Bowles
Back in 1967-68 my husband and I, with another couple, stayed at a place named The Maui Lu Resort. It had circular hut type rooms but was lovely and spacious. Is this the same place?
Dec 21, 2013 09:35 AM
#5
Anonymous
Dee

I'm trying to get the history of the Wailea Marriott Resort from 1996 to present. I use to be able to search for info but now nothing cones up. I stayed there in 1996 & can't remember what it was called back then. I stayed there again in 2002 & I think it was called Aston Wailea Resort but I don't remember. Anybody have any history they can help me with it direct me to a website like I've seen before with this info? Thank you!

Oct 22, 2017 08:22 PM
#6