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Kihei Wharf was the start of Kihei town on Maui

By
Real Estate Agent with Hawai'i Life Real Estate Brokers HRE# 58089 - RS

A little bit of history from Maui....

Kihei Wharf was first built in 1899 by Henry Baldwin, to service his new Kihei Sugar Plantation in the area now known as Kihei.  The raw sugar product was shipped out to California for processing, and supplies were brought in here.  People started using the wharf for fishing, and small boats would come and go.  Plantation housing was built across from the wharf to house the workers from Japan, Portugal, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines.  Pretty soon the activity attracted a Chinese merchant who opened a small general store.   Families started settling in and buying land, building homes, and the community of Kihei was born. 

Kihei Wharf - a historical spot in Kihei Maui

Kihei Wharf - a historical spot in Kihei Maui

The little wharf has long since faded away, but a rocky pier-like structure still exists today, and you can often see local fishermen trying their luck at catching dinner.  You can relax on the park bench and watch the paddlers from Kihei Canoe Club getting exercise.  It's a nice sandy beach to spend some time while remembering the humble roots of this lively town.  Across the street are some businesses and sometimes a farmers market.  A lot has changed, yet in some ways, not much has changed since those days.

Kihei Wharf today is a simple jetty

Kihei Wharf today is a simple jetty

Kihei is now one of the fastest growing towns on Maui, and it stretches along the shore for about ten miles.  South Kihei Road runs north to south along the shoreline for the most part, and will offer some great ocean views.  The newer Piilani Highway parallels South Kihei Road to the east and travel is generally a lot faster on this multi-laned highway.

Sandy beach next to the Kihei Wharf

Sandy beach next to the Kihei Wharf

Kihei offers a lot of housing options, including townhomes, hi-rise condos, tract houses, luxury homes, and oceanfront estates.  There really is something for every budget.  Find a Kihei home for sale here. Many vacation resorts line the coast, offering comfortable accomodations to visitors who love to travel here every year.  If you have a favorite resort you can search for Maui condos for sale by name.

oceanfront resort condos in North Kihei Maui

oceanfront resort condos in North Kihei Maui

Thanks for reading my Maui blog...

Buying or selling real estate on Maui?  That's what I do.  Let me help YOU.

Georgie Hunter R(S) e-Pro, Hawai'i Life Real Estate Brokers
127 Hana Hwy. #G, Paia HI 96779
E-mail or call/text: 808 283-0635

Comments(8)

Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

Georgie, your photos are bringing back memories!  I remember that place!

Nov 28, 2016 08:14 PM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Hi Georgie

What a neat history lesson! I thought Kihei was very charming, although we did not spend much time there. Next trip perhaps!!

Those are wonderful photos!

Jeff

Nov 28, 2016 08:59 PM
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

The wharf was long gone by the time I made it to Hawaii in 1975 Georgie Hunter R(S) 58089 

Nov 28, 2016 09:56 PM
MichelleCherie Carr Crowe .Just Call. 408-252-8900
Get Results Team...Just Call (408) 252-8900! . DRE #00901962 . Licensed to Sell since 1985 . Altas Realty - San Jose, CA
Family Helping Families Buy & Sell Homes 40+ Years

It may have started out small but now it is six miles long!

Nov 28, 2016 11:16 PM
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

Georgie Hunter R(S) 58089 Thank you for the historical perspective on this stunning location in the Islands. Just beautiful!

Nov 29, 2016 05:14 AM
Georgie Hunter R(S) 58089
Hawai'i Life Real Estate Brokers - Haiku, HI
Maui Real Estate sales and lifestyle info

Thanks for dropping by and learning a little about the history of Kihei Maui.

Nov 29, 2016 12:13 PM
Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP
DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX
Selling Homes Changing Lives

Kihei Wharf  is simply beautiful. There have been many changes along the way and yet, it's always beautiful! I love how you tell the history of your Island. You have a great knack for it too! 

Nov 30, 2016 01:20 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Thank you very much for sharing this history lesson on Kihei.

Have an outstanding December.

Dec 03, 2016 09:25 AM