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Makalii vs. La'i Loa: Comparing Wailea's Newest Luxury Condo Communities
Wailea has added two standout luxury condo developments in the past few years, and they're close enough in age, price point, and hillside setting that buyers in either community regularly compare them directly.
Makalii (pronounced mah-kah-LEE-ee) and La'i Loa (pronounced lah-ee-loh-ah) have a lot in common, which is why we often compare the details of both for buyers. Both are luxury gated, low-density condo communities that are newly built. Both offer the kind of modern design and resort-style amenities that older Wailea complexes simply don't have.
But the two luxury communities take genuinely different approaches, and the right fit depends on what you're actually prioritizing.
Architecture and Design
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Makalii leans into mid-century modern Hawaiian design, with sloping rooflines, floor-to-ceiling glass, and a townhome-style layout across 17 low-density, four-plex buildings.
Completed in 2020, it was one of the first developments in Wailea to bring that specific architectural language to the resort, and it still feels distinct from anything else on this side of the island. Makalii has steps inside the units, and primary bedrooms and bathrooms are all downstairs.
So, if steps are a consideration, Lai Loa's single-level floor plan can solve that problem.
La'i Loa takes a different design approach, built along six landscaped, stepped terraces that descend toward the ocean across a 13-acre hillside site. Its 75 units are spread across 15 buildings in clusters of five, with sliding window walls on the ocean-facing side of each building and a warmer, more earth-toned material palette. Completed in late 2024, it's a couple of years newer than Makalii and also features an elevator in each building.
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Unit Sizes and Floor Plans
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Makalii offers 2- and 3-bedroom townhomes ranging from roughly 1,560 to 1,800 square feet, each with an attached private garage. Each garage accommodates one or two cars, depending on the unit's floor plan. A and D models are end units with 2-car garages; B and C units are interior units with a casita and a 1-car garage.
La'i Loa spans a wider range, from about 1,372 square feet in its 2-bedroom villas up to 2,587 square feet in its 3- and 4-bedroom penthouses, giving buyers more flexibility if you're looking at the larger end of the luxury condo market rather than a mid-sized townhome.
Active Listings in Makalii
The Modern Luxury Amenities
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Lai Loa has the advantage in amenities, even if only slightly. Both communities take amenities seriously, though the details differ.
Makalii's centerpiece is the Resident's Makali'i Club: an infinity-edge pool with panoramic ocean views, plus a spa and fitness center.
Over at La'i Loa, there is also an infinity pool, spa, fitness center, and the addition of steam and sauna facilities, plus underground parking for every building, a genuine rarity in Wailea that keeps the grounds and views uninterrupted by surface parking.
La'i Loa’s pool has a unique Olympic lane feature that allows owners to swim laps without crossing the entire pool. Lai Loa’s gym is larger than the gym at Makalii, but both have great locker rooms and sauna facilities.
Active Listings in La'i Loa
How Do Location and Beach Access Compare?
Makalii edges out Lai Loa in the beach access category as it sits above Polo Beach and Paluea Beach. It is also within walking distance to all of the great restaurants at the Fairmont Kea Lani and Four Seasons.
La'i Loa is across the street from Wailea Ekahi and, while still pretty close, it is a little further walk down to its nearest ocean access at Keawakapu Beach. Both put you within easy reach of Wailea's beach path.
Wailea Condos For Sale
Pricing at Lai Loa vs. Makalii
Resale pricing at Makalii has generally run from the mid-$2 million up past $3.7 million depending on view and floor plan, since the development sold out from the developer and now trades exclusively on the resale market.
La'i Loa's pricing spans a wider range given its larger unit sizes, from around $2.5 million for a 2-bedroom villa up to $6 million for a 4-bedroom penthouse with sweeping ocean views.
Lai Loa tends to go for a little bit more for a similar floorplan unit, as it has larger lanais and a large locked storage room on the bottom floor where the garage is.
Wailea Homes For Sale
Short-Term Rental and Investment Considerations
Neither complex is zoned to allow short-term rentals, which is worth knowing upfront if rental income is part of your plan. Learn more about current STR rules on Maui.
If personal use as a primary residence or second home is the goal rather than STR income, this distinction matters less, but it's a key question to settle early in either community.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is newer, Makalii or La'i Loa?
La'i Loa is newer, completed in late 2024, compared to Makalii's completion in 2021. Both are still considered among Wailea's newest condo communities relative to the resort's older developments.
Can I use my condo at Makalii or La'i Loa as a short-term rental?
La'i Loa and Makalii are not zoned to allow short-term rentals.
Which community has larger units, Makalii or La'i Loa?
La'i Loa offers a wider range, from about 1,372 square feet up to 2,587 square feet in its largest penthouses. Makalii's townhomes range from roughly 1,560 to 1,800 square feet, a narrower but still spacious range.
Is Makalii or La'i Loa closer to the beach?
Both are close, but Makalii is closer. La'i Loa has a pedestrian gate providing direct walking access to Keawakapu, Elua, and Wailea Beach, but you're a little further there. Makalii sits above Polo Beach and Paluea Beach and offers strong ocean views from its hillside position.
The Villa We'd Point You Toward
Both Makalii and La'i Loa offer luxurious, convenient, and elevated living in Wailea, and neither is a wrong choice. If mid-century architecture, a townhome layout with a guest residence on select floor plans, and the best walkability to the beach and around Wailea, Makalii is likely the better fit for you.
If you want more size flexibility, a single-level floor plan with more indoor/outdoor living, and the very newest construction in Wailea, La'i Loa is worth prioritizing. If you're weighing it against Wailea's broader inventory, check out our current inventory at our Wailea condos page, which covers the full range of what's currently available.
Give me a call anytime at 808-214-4799 if you would like to walk through both in person and see what feels right.
Get In Touch With Evan!
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Evan Harlow ranks among the best real estate agents on Maui annually and is in the top 1% of Coldwell Banker agents worldwide in production. Evan has the expertise, experience, and work ethic to help you achieve your real estate buying and selling goals. We promise exceptional service and support from the beginning of the process through closing and beyond. See what Evan's clients are saying on Google.
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