The second-largest of the Hawaiian islands, Maui has stunning beaches, lush valleys, and spectacular wildlife, making it an extremely desirable place to live. You can even realize your dream of building your own home here, thanks to the abundance of plots of land for sale on Maui.
The region of Maui that best for you to buy land in will depend on how you wish to develop it. Whether you want to build a family home, be close to the beach, keep animals, or enjoy acres of your own space, there’s an area of the island that’s perfect for your needs.
West Maui boasts the island’s most famous beaches, as well as some of the best sunsets in the world. Communities here with plenty of land for sale include Kaanapali, Lahaina, and Kapalua, which are nestled between the coastline and the West Maui Forest Reserve.
This means that land available to buy in West Maui is best suited to building houses. In Kaanapali, you have the choice between beautiful beachfront or hillside plots. Lahaina is the main town on the west side of Maui and therefore is a little more developed, and Kapalua boasts some of the island’s most luxurious properties.
Central Maui is home to most of the island’s inhabitants and is where Kahului Airport is located. The northern coast of the area offers some of the best watersports and surfing in the world, and neighborhoods in this area such as Paia are ideal for those wanting small community living.
If you’re looking for land in an area that’s a little more developed, look no further than Wailuku, which has large plots available that are perfect for building single-family homes with some outdoor space to enjoy.
South Maui is the sunniest and driest area of the island and boasts miles of sandy beaches with views of other nearby islands and Molokini. Popular communities in South Maui are Kihei, Makena, Wailea. Kihei is a vibrant beach community that is perfectly placed to offer its residents easy access to all of what Maui has to offer.
Wailea is home to more luxury developments, and here you can also see some of the most stunning sunsets on the island. Makena is less developed, and so is ideal for anyone looking for land that is more secluded and offers a sense of exclusivity.
Upcountry Maui offers a different way of life to the communities on its shores, with stunning bi-coastal views and a cooler, temperate climate. There’s an abundance of space in Upcountry Maui, meaning that land purchased here can be used for agriculture, and is cheaper than other parts of the island. Pukalani receives relatively more sun than other nearby communities and has the only golf course in Upcountry Maui.
Nearby Kula is an agricultural community and offers upcountry living at its finest, thanks to its expansive views and potential for estate living. Haiku is an area on the northern coast of Upcountry Maui and receives more rain than anywhere else, and so the lush, green plots in this area are larger than on other parts of the island and are mostly used for agriculture.
Land in Sprecklesville, Paia, Coastal Haiku, and Kuau
Paia, Sprecklesville, and Kuau make up the main areas with land for sale on the Northshore, but also part of Haiku is considered Northshore along the iconic Road to Hana. Land on this part of the island opens the door for those magazine cover-worthy custom oceanfront properties.
East Maui land for sale is the least developed area of the island and is mostly covered with lush, green rainforest dotted with cascading waterfalls. The small community of Hana can be found on the most easterly point of the island, accessed by the hairpin bends and stunning views of the Hana Highway.
Plots of land available to buy here are best suited to building second homes, due to the relative remoteness of the area.
Building Regulations on Maui
If you’re buying land on Maui to develop, you’ll need to familiarize yourself with local building regulations before starting a project. A building permit is required for any construction, alteration, moving, demolition, or repair of properties on the island. You’ll need to complete a Building Permit Application and submit it to the Development Services Administration.
Several approving agencies may need to review the application before it’s given final approval, and this will depend on the scope of the permit and the location of the subject property. A building permit will expire if work does not begin within one year of approval, or if work is suspended or abandoned for more than one year. Read more information on Maui building permits here.
Know Your Zone And What Is Permissable
You will also need to understand property zoning on Maui before starting construction. Zoning is designed to keep the integrity of the island by managing the development, by ensuring that land is used appropriately, that property value is stabilized, and to promote the health and safety of the communities.
The zoning of the land you purchase will dictate how large your property can be, and how many levels it can have. Read more about Maui property zoning here.
Get In Touch
Get started on your journey to owning property on Maui by getting in touch with us at Maui Elite Property.
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