Wailea Ekahi vs. Wailea Ekolu

Wailea Ekahi vs. Wailea Ekolu

Ekahi, Elua, and Ekolu are the Hawaiian words for one, two, and three. So, it's no coincidence that Wailea Ekahi and Wailea Ekolu are sister communities, part of the same three-village master plan from Wailea's earliest days that also gave us Wailea Elua.

Ekahi came first in 1978, right on the sand at Keawakapu Beach. Ekolu followed a year later, up on the hillside overlooking the Wailea Blue Golf Course. Decades later, they're still two of the most beloved condo communities in the resort, and for good reason. Low-rise buildings, mature tropical landscaping, a genuine sense of privacy you don't always find in a resort setting, and owners who tend to stick around for years, sometimes decades.

Both communities let you have that classic Wailea lifestyle, the beaches, the golf, the Shops at Wailea, the sunsets, just from two different vantage points, and neither one requires true beachfront pricing to get there. We'll get into the short-term rental and zoning situation, since that matters a lot right now. But let's start with what actually sets these two apart day-to-day, because that's usually what decides it for my clients.

Short-Term Rental Status and Bill 9 Zoning

Both Wailea Ekahi and Wailea Ekolu are apartment-zoned, which means both sit on Maui County's Minatoya List, the list of complexes that have legally operated as short-term rentals for decades under a grandfathered zoning exception.

That's the same list at the center of Maui County's Bill 9, which sets a phase-out deadline of January 1, 2031, for short-term rentals in South Maui's apartment-zoned complexes, unless a property secures rezoning first.

Here's the good news for both of these communities: the county's Temporary Investigative Group included both Ekahi and Ekolu on its Exhibit 2 recommendation list for the new H-3 and H-4 hotel zoning districts created by Bill 88.

If that rezoning goes through as planned for these properties, both would be able to continue operating as legal short-term rentals well past the 2031 deadline. This is still moving through the county process, so I always tell clients considering either complex to check in with me for the latest status before assuming anything is finalized.

Bottom line: as of today, neither complex has a zoning advantage over the other. Both are Minatoya List properties recommended for the same rezoning path, and both remain fully rentable in the meantime.

Location and Neighborhood Feel

Wailea Ekahi is Wailea's original condominium community, built in 1978, and it sits directly on Keawakapu Beach, the longest stretch of sand in Wailea. It's also the lowest-density resort in the area: 294 units spread across 54 two-story buildings, but clustered on only about 10 of its 34 total acres, so it feels more like a tropical garden than a condo complex. It's also within easy walking distance of The Shops at Wailea for dining and boutique shopping.

Wailea Ekolu, built a year later in 1979, sits at a higher elevation bordering the Wailea Blue Golf Course, about three blocks from Wailea Beach. It trades direct beach access for panoramic ocean, golf, and outer-island views, plus a noticeably quieter, more residential atmosphere. It's directly across from the Wailea Tennis Club and just a short walk down to Wailea Village Center, home to local favorite Akamai Coffee.

If waking up steps from the sand matters most to you, Ekahi wins easily. If you'd rather have elevation, sweeping views, and a quieter setting while still being close to everything, Ekolu is hard to beat.

Wailea Ekahi Floor Plans vs. Wailea Ekolu Floor Plans

Wailea Ekahi offers the widest range of unit sizes of the two, with 12 different floor plans:

• Studios: roughly 484 to 496 square feet
• 1-bedroom / 1-bath: roughly 792 to 977 square feet
• 1-bedroom / 2-bath: roughly 885 to 1,090 square feet
• 2-bedroom / 2-bath: roughly 1,172 to 1,575 square feet

That range makes Ekahi a great entry point into Wailea ownership, especially the studios and smaller one-bedrooms, while still offering larger two-bedroom units for buyers who want more space.

Wailea Ekolu has a smaller, more streamlined lineup, but the units tend to run larger and more livable for their bedroom count:

• 1-bedroom / 2-bath: around 866 square feet
• 2-bedroom / 2-bath: roughly 1,071 to 1,489 square feet
• 2-bedroom / 2.5-bath townhome-style units: up to around 1,498 square feet, with two separate lanais

If you want the most affordable way into Wailea, Ekahi's studios and smaller one-bedrooms get you there. If you want a genuinely spacious two-bedroom with room to spread out, Ekolu's larger layouts are the better fit.

Ekahi and Ekolu Active Listings

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Short Term Rental

$1,250,000

↓ $145,000

Wailea Ekolu 1603

10 Wailea Ekolu Pl 1603, Wailea/Makena

2 Beds 2 Baths 1,071 SqFt Residential MLS® # 408354

Days on Market: 248

Hawaii Life (W) Cell: 808-208-1385

Short Term Rental

$1,470,000

↓ $5,000

Wailea Ekolu 105

10 Wailea Ekolu Pl 105, Wailea/Makena

2 Beds 2 Baths 1,071 SqFt Residential MLS® # 407940

Days on Market: 286

Coldwell Banker Island Prop(S) Cell: 808-298-8448

Short Term Rental

$1,525,000

↓ $124,000

Wailea Ekolu 1008

10 Wailea Ekolu Pl 1008, Wailea/Makena

2 Beds 2 Baths 1,071 SqFt Residential MLS® # 405937

Days on Market: 489

Coldwell Banker Island Prop(S) Cell: 808-989-2215

Amenities: Pools, Golf, and Recreation

Wailea Ekahi:

• Four swimming pools, including one heated pool and one oceanfront pool
• Pickleball and paddle tennis courts, plus shuffleboard
• Beachfront pavilion with a full kitchen and multiple BBQ stations
• Concierge services
• Direct beach access to Keawakapu Beach

Wailea Ekolu:

• Two solar-heated swimming pools
• Recreation pavilion with a kitchen and BBQ areas
• Discounted golf and tennis rates at Wailea and Makena Resort
• Concierge services
• Immediate proximity to the Wailea Blue Golf Course and Wailea Tennis Club

Both complexes are close to the impeccable Wailea Golf Courses of the Emerald, Gold, and Blue. 

Ekahi's amenity package leans into beach and family-resort living, with more pools and more recreational variety. Ekolu's amenities lean toward golf and quiet relaxation, with a smaller footprint that matches its more residential feel.

Prices and HOA Fees Compared

Wailea Ekahi prices have come down meaningfully over the past couple of years. The median sale price in 2025 was $1,280,000, down about 20% from $1,600,000 in 2024, making this one of the better entry points into Wailea ownership I've seen in a while.

Studios and smaller one-bedrooms can still be found under $1 million, while two-bedroom units with strong ocean views are typically pushing $1.5 million and up, depending on renovation level.

HOA dues vary by unit size, and I always recommend getting the current figure directly from the association before writing an offer, since these numbers move.

Wailea Ekolu tends to run a bit higher per square foot given its larger average unit sizes, with recent one- and two-bedroom listings ranging from around $1.6 million to just under $2 million, and HOA dues generally falling somewhere between $1,000 and $1,800 per month depending on the unit.

Both complexes' HOA fees include water, sewer, trash, exterior maintenance, landscaping, and building insurance, which is fairly standard for Wailea's resort-style condo communities. Of the condos for sale in Wailea, Ekahi and Ekolu offer two of the best options. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Wailea Ekahi and Wailea Ekolu

Can I short-term rent at Wailea Ekahi or Wailea Ekolu? Yes, both currently allow vacation rentals. Both are Minatoya List properties, and both are on the county's recommended list for H-3/H-4 hotel rezoning, which would let them continue operating as short-term rentals beyond Bill 9's 2031 phase-out deadline for South Maui.

Which one is closer to the beach? Wailea Ekahi sits directly on Keawakapu Beach. Wailea Ekolu is roughly three blocks away, up near the Wailea Blue Golf Course.

Which is the better value? Ekahi generally offers a lower entry price point, especially in its studios and smaller one-bedrooms. Ekolu's units run larger on average, which can make its per-square-foot pricing more competitive even though the total price tends to be higher.

Are pets allowed? Yes, pets are allowed at both complexes.

Which has the better HOA? Ekahi has a long-standing reputation for being one of the better-managed associations in Wailea. Ekolu is also well-run, though its fees can be on the higher end depending on the unit type.

Can I live at either one full-time? Yes. Both complexes have long-term owners who use their units as primary or secondary residences, as well as owners who vacation-rent, so you'll find a genuine mix of neighbors either way.

Wailea Ekahi or Wailea Ekolu: Which Is Right for You?

If beachfront access matters the most to you, Wailea Ekahi is the clear choice. If you'd rather have a quieter, elevated setting with golf and ocean views, larger floor plans, lower prices per square foot, and a short walk to the Wailea Village Center, Wailea Ekolu is going to feel like the better fit.

I've helped clients buy and sell in both communities, and the honest truth is you can't go wrong with either one. If you want to talk through which fits your budget, your rental goals, and how you plan to use the property, give me a call at 808-214-4799 or email me. In the meantime, feel free to browse current Wailea Ekahi condos for sale or Wailea Ekolu condos for sale, and I'm happy to walk you through the inventory in both and help you land on the right one.

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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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