Makena and Wailea Community

Spanning 1,500 acres of land with stunning ocean views and year-round sunny weather, Wailea is a luxurious resort community, with 5 world-class hotels, condominiums and stately private homes, where you can experience championship golf, luxurious spas and unique local shopping and dining. Located just South of Wailea is the more private and secluded area of Makena, where you will find picture-perfect beaches nestled between two black-lava outcroppings. Come and experience the opulent elegance that is Wailea/Makena…

Cultural History

The name ‘Wailea’ translates to mean “water of Lea” in Hawai’ian, who was the goddess of canoe-builders. Legend has it she transformed the area into a beautiful forest for birds and would frequently fly above it to appreciate its beauty.

In ancient Hawai’ian times, Wailea was originally a fishing settlement, where natives would live more toward the mountains where they grew sweet potatoes (uala) and would venture down to the shore to fish.

Wailea Resort

Developed over the last 30 years, Wailea Resort is a master-planned luxury community resort, spanning over 1,500-acres (6.1 km2). Stroll the scenic, sun-drenched shoreline past 5 world-class hotels including the AC Hotel Marriott, Andaz Maui, Fairmont Kea Lani, Four Seasons Resort and the Grand Wailea.

Named one of the Country's “99 Best Recreational and Residential Private Communities in America”, this resort community also includes distinctive condominiums and stately private homes.

Watch a video of the Wailea Resort area here.

Wailea Beaches

Named “America’s Best Beach” in 1999, Wailea Beach is a long and wide stunning white-sand public beach with activities such as sunbathing, swimming and snorkeling, plus public restrooms.

Other signature beaches in the Wailea area includes ‘Polo Beach’, a pair of beautiful sandy crescents fronting the Polo Beach Club and the Fairmont Kea Lani and ‘Ulua Beach Park’, where the sandy, palm-fringed beach is popular for early morning walkers and joggers, swimming and bodyboarding, with showers, restrooms and parking.

Makena Beach State Park

Nestled between two black-lava outcroppings with white sands extending nearly 2/3 of a mile long, Makena Beach State Park is located just South of Wailea and is one of the largest, most undeveloped beaches in Maui.

The area is divided into two stunning, picture-perfect beaches known as ‘Big Beach’ and ‘Little Beach’.

‘Big Beach’ offers a long, wide and sandy beach away from all of the crowds and is ideal for swimming and snorkeling, with picnic tables and a food truck, whereas ‘Little Beach’ is a small cove without amenities, frequently used as a nude beach.

Ahihi-Kinau Natural Area Reserve

Ahihi-Kinau Natural Area Reserve includes 1,238 acres of marine ecosystems (807 submerged acres), rare and fragile anchialine ponds, and lava fields from the last eruption of Haleakala 200-500 years ago – where you can walk the Hoapili Trail, which winds its way along the Coast and then trails over the lava fields to Kanaio Beach.

Wailea/Makena Local Restaurants and Shops

Local community restaurants and shops in the Wailea/Makena area include the Shops at Wailea, Wailea Gateway Center, Wailea Town Center and the Wailea Village. Smaller stores include ABC Store, Island Gourmet and Whalers General Store.

There are also many local grocery and larger supermarket stores located just a short 10 minute drive away in Kihei, including Foodland and Safeway.

The Shops at Wailea

Located in the heart of Wailea Resort, the Shops at Wailea features over 70 shops and restaurants including luxury brands - such as Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co. and Swarovski - local favorites and art galleries, along with regular entertainment programs.

Wailea Golf Club

Wailea Golf Resort features three award-winning courses - the Wailea Blue, Wailea Gold and Wailea Emerald courses - and is rated among the best golf courses in the Country by both Golf Magazine and Golf Digest for the quality of its courses, accommodations and amenities.

Wailea Tennis Club

The award-winning Wailea Tennis Club offers 11 Plexipave courts, a full-service pro-shop, professional lessons and activities.

Wailea/Makena Climate

The climate in Wailea is warm, muggy, windy, and partly cloudy. Over the course of the year, the temperature typically varies from 65°F to 87°F and is rarely below 60°F or above 90°F.

The most pleasant months of the year for Wailea are January, February and March. August is the hottest month for Wailea with an average high temperature of 88.1°.

Schools

Schools located near the Wailea/Makena area include:

Kamalii Elementary School
Grade Span: Pre-K - 5^th
180 Kealii Alanui, Kihei
Phone: 808 875-6840

Kihei Elementary School
Grade Span: Pre-K - 5^th
250 E Lipoa St, Kihei
Phone: 808 875-6818

Kihei Public Charter School
Grade Span: Kindergarten - 12^th
300 Ohukai Rd. Kihei
Phone: 808 875-0700

Lokelani Intermediate School
Grade Span: 6th - 8^th
1401 Liloa Dr, Kihei
Phone: 808 875-6800

Montessori Hale O Keiki
Grade Span: Pre-K - 7^th
100 Kulanihakoi St, Kihei

For more Information about Wailea/Makena, Get in Contact with Living Maui

For more information on buying or selling real estate in the Wailea/Makena area, speak with Kimberly Drechsel at Living Maui Real Estate LLC on (808) 359-1161 and she will help you find the right property.

Come and explore our communities. If you have any questions or want to learn more, don't hesitate to contact us!