Weekly updates on the most important things happening on Maui that affect us all as residents and visitors. Developments in the real estate market, tourism updates, business news, and more. 

What Are The Costs of Selling My Home or Condo on Maui? 

Cost of Selling a Home Real Estate

Maui is a wonderful place to live or own a second home, but there may come a time when you are ready to sell your home. Perhaps you are moving away from the island or excited to upgrade or downsize to a new home or condo on Maui soon.  Finances play a major role in many people’s decisions to sell. 

While your attention may initially focus on determining a realistic home sale price, there are costs of selling a home that will require your attention. The seller usually pays closing costs like real estate agent commissions, title insurance, and any pre-sale repairs. There will also likely be withholdings for HARPTA and FIRPTA to pay any applicable capital gains taxes. Understanding the costs…

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Maui is A Great Place to Be a Beer Connoisseur(Snob)

Maui Brewery and Breweries

While beer isn't my personal drink of choice, I do have to admit, I have enjoyed a few varieties of beer at the following Maui establishments. Especially Mahalo Aleworks, my personal favorite.  I live Upcountry in Pukalani and before Mahalo Aleworks came into town, we were without a community watering hole. So, thank you Mahalo Aleworks for bringing some fun, entertainment, and craftsmanship to Upcountry Maui! 

While you can grab a beer at most of the restaurants or bars anywhere in the Hawaiian Islands when you're in the mood to kick back and relax, several of these specialty Maui breweries and bars are rightfully known for their selection of craft beers, excellent ambiance, and lively…

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Discover the Best Things to Do in Lahaina, Maui

Lahaina Things to Do

Lahaina, Maui, is a charming place filled with attractions and activities to suit all interests, whether you’re a family, couple, nature lover, foodie, or solo traveler. In addition to being a great vacation destination, it’s also the perfect location for buying a second home in West Maui.

With an eclectic mix of things to do, you won’t have to worry about growing bored of Lahaina. To give you an idea, here are some of the best things to do while in the area.

Things to Do in Lahaina for Nature Lovers

1. Hike the Lahaina Pali Trail

The five-mile Lahaina Pali Trail takes you by cliffs, lava rocks, and grasslands. This is the same trail settlers used in the 1900s, and it provides amazing…

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What Are The Things to Do in Ka'anapali? Here Are 16 of The Very Best Activities

Ka'anapali Things to Do Maui

While Maui offers beautiful scenery and fun activities from coast to coast, Ka’anapali is one of my favorite and one of the most popular areas to visit for many reasons.   Ka’anapali is filled with recreational activities, cultural experiences, and opportunities for relaxation, and well, you get the point, there’s a lot to do and see! This makes it easy to plan the perfect day regardless of what you are in the mood for. If you’re looking for a few specific things to do and see in Ka’anapali, here are the best things to do from my experience having lived there and having spent a great deal of time in the area since moving to Maui back in 2010.

1. Enjoy a Beach Day at…

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The Important Work of the Haleakala Conservancy

Haleakala Conservancy

Maui has experienced rapid growth and development over recent decades, in many ways it has greatly benefited the island and local community, in other ways, this growth has come at a cost, especially to Maui's delicate ecosystem. Fortunately, there are several organizations that work tirelessly to protect our fragile ecosystems, preserve the native Hawaiian culture along with our archaeological sites, and maintain the vibrancy that the island offers. One of these groups is the Haleakala Conservancy. Through its work to preserve one of the most iconic and recognizable features on the island, Haleakala National Park, it also protects an important backbone of the community overall.

The mission of the…

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Maui Real Estate Market Report March 2023: Will Prices Go Down This Year?

Maui Real Estate Market Report March 2023

Looking back at the last 12 months of the real estate market here on Maui, it has certainly been an interesting period full of speculation and diverging opinions about the near-term impacts that rising interest rates would have on home prices and buyer activity. Last year, many were thinking the market would drop precipitously while others believed that the bull market would continue to run.  

The results, at least so far, have been a return to normal market behavior and resemble something closer to the soft landing the Fed has been trying to achieve with its incremental rate hike strategies. While most mainland markets have seen considerable softening since rates went up…

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Tackle The Lahaina Pali Trail

Lahaina Pali Trail

While there are numerous must-see destinations and amazing experiences in West Maui that are easily accessible by road, the Lahaina Pali Trail gives you a different way to enjoy a remote, natural experience on the island. Trail conditions are arduous, so this is not suitable if you are in the mood for a leisurely stroll. The trail is five miles from point to point or 10 miles total if you go over and back.

Without a flat section to speak of, you'll be going uphill for half of the hike and downhill for the other half. You can also shorten your trek by turning around at the top and making the hike around 5 miles. As one of the most exposed and challenging trails on Maui, what should you know about the trail before you…

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The 21 Very Best Things To Do in Wailea Maui For 2023

Things to Do in Wailea Maui

When I moved to Maui in 2010, I made it my mission to explore all of the many great activities and things to do around the island. In fact, one of my first jobs on Maui before I became a Realtor, was working in the activity business selling all of the fun helicopter trips, luaus, snorkeling tours, etc. The main benefit of working in the activity business on Maui is, of course, the free adventures and getting to play tourist occasionally! 

Over several years in the activities industry, I had probably gone to about 20 luaus, been to Molokini about 10 times, been awe-inspired by every helicopter tour to Molokai and Haleakala several times, and personally experienced almost every single excursion…

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Get To Know the Kapalua Resort Association and Its Many Benefits

Kapalua Resort Association

Kapalua Resort is among the most distinguished communities on Maui. Much of its appeal to owners, as well as prospective buyers, is its excellent community management. This master-planned resort community spans 1,650 acres in northwestern Maui and offers some of the most luxurious and breathtaking properties in all of Maui. Kapalua resort is comprised of 10 residential communities, which collectively feature a range of high-end villas, condominiums, and luxury residential homes.

There are also commercial properties on the resort’s grounds. Some of the many communities in the resort are Montage Residences, Ritz Carlton Kapalua, and Pineapple Hill Estates. Residents throughout the…

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ROAM Maui Offers Exclusive Luxury Air Travel 

Roam Maui

For those who travel frequently to Maui, the struggle of going through the whole traditional airport routine is real. Many of my clients and people I know travel to or from Maui regularly to enjoy wind sports, enjoy a second home, or for business.  Even if you have TSA Precheck and are flying First-Class, the airport can still be an unwelcome experience with the crowds and lines.

Until recently, the primary options for luxury travel between Maui or Hawaii and the continental United States were to fly on a private jet or with first-class accommodations on a commercial flight. While both of these options have benefits, they are also riddled with inconveniences and disadvantages that make them less than…

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