THE DEVASATING FIRE THAT DESTROYED LAHAINA WAS IN "WEST" MAUI ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ISLAND. WE ARE BLESSED THAT THE FIRE DID NOT AFFECT OUR SIDE OF THE ISLAND.
MAUI DESPERATELY NEEDS TOURIST'S DOLLARS TO SUPPORT THE ISLAND'S ECONOMY. THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY'S WORKERS, VACATION RENTAL EMPLOYEES, RESTAURANTS AND SHOPS ARE TRYING TO SURVIVE. SADLY, HOSPITALITY BUSINESSES ARE HAVE LAID OFF MANY EMPLOYEES.
PLEASE SUPPORT MAUI'S ECONOMY BY VISITING PLACES AND ACTIVITIES ON THIS SIDE OF THE ISLAND (CENTRAL, SOUTH, AND EAST MAUI) UNTIL WEST MAUI OPENS.
ON OUR SIDE, YOU CAN VISIT THE IAO VALLEY (THINK JURASSIC PARK), PAIA (1800'S HIPPY TOWN), GET A FAST RESERVATION AT MA MA'S FISH HOUSE, ENJOY KIHEI, THE ROAD TO HANA, BLACK SAND BEACHES, THE UPSCALE SHOPS AT WAILEA, LU'AUS (WAILEA & KIHEI). AT MAALAEA HARBOR, GO ON A SNORKELING OR WHALE WATCHING CRUISE. OR, VISIT SHOPS, RESTAURANTS, THE PACIFIC WHALE FOUNDATION AND THE MAUI OCEAN CENTER. VISIT UP COUNTRY: MAKAWAO (1900's TOWN) ART GALLERIES, WINE TASTING, ZIP LINING OR HALEAKLA.
PLEASE DON'T VISIT LAHAINA. RESPECT THEIR WISHES AND PRAY FOR THEIR RESIDENTS WHO LOST EVERYTHING. YOU CAN HELP THEM BY DONATING TO "MAUI STRONG".
Our description is long, to help with your decision. A Maui vacation is a big expense. I describe the benefits of our 2-bed, 2-bath condo that sleeps up to 6 guests + a baby in our crib. I've added lots of photos so you can see all areas. DOUBLE CLICK TO MAKE THEM LARGER.
Our condo is only 15 minutes from the airport, 10 minutes to Kihei, 15 minutes to Paia and 20 minutes to Wailea. It's only 1/4 mile to the Maalaea Harbor for snorkeling, whale watching or dinner cruises. There are restaurants, shops, deli's, ice cream parlor, the Pacific Whale Foundation and Maui's #1 attraction, the Maui Ocean Center.
The photo of our complex with the beach, was taken in the summer, a few years ago when we had more sand. When the beach directly in front is rocky, we are very fortunate it’s only a couple minutes-walk from our condo to the amazing "Sugar Beach" with miles of soft white sand. To get to this Beach, many enter through the complex next door, past their pool or between our seawalls. See photos with blue arrows. This year-round, sandy beach starts right next door, just past our seawall.
Guests can also take a five-minute walk via the sidewalk, or a 10 second drive to the end, to Haycraft Park. With parking spots, picnic tables, toilets and showers it opens directly onto Sugar Beach. The beach runs parallel to a protected wildlife refuge. Green Sea Turtles lay their eggs along the shore. In summer, enjoy snorkeling there and see the turtles (please don't touch or harass them). No development is allowed in this area. On a morning walk you may not run into another person.
During winter, Maui gets major Kona storms, with large waves. Our beach in front (not Sugar Beach) becomes rocky. Normally by spring the sand returns. As of August of 2023, our beach out front was still rocky, possibly due to global warming and a rise in sea level. You can still enjoy lovely “Sugar Beach”. For guests who dislike swimming in the ocean, we have a heated pool.
Most people picture in their minds their “Dream” vacation, directly on the ocean, with magnificent sunrises and romantic sunsets. My 1,050 sq. ft. condo, #117, and Kanai A Nalu could fulfill that dream. Owned since 2005, it's very personal to me. I've tried to make it the perfect Maui retreat for my guests and my family (3 grown children plus 7 grandchildren).
When you walk in and see the view of the ocean from the living room, you will be delighted. When you go outside, the spectacular 180-degree views will take your breath away. Every morning, relax on the lanai watching the sun come up over Haleakala and sea turtles popping up in the waves. During Whale watching season (Nov through Apr) you can see Whales out in Maalaea Bay from the lanai. It's an unforgettable experience.
Our corner condo has a rare double lanai. One of the largest in the complex, it's only 15 steps from the shore and extends beyond the norm, offering guests views of Maui's entire south coast, from Kihei to Makena. A prior owner in a wheelchair was allowed to make the oversized lanai. Level with the lawn, he could roll out overlooking the shore. With 2 tables (1 Lg. + 1 Sm.), and 6-8 chairs (dining and Adirondacks), there's room for six people. With less guests, they can spread out. Other condo’s lanais only seat 4 and are enclosed by side walls. See them in the photos.
Because we're on a corner, there's no neighbors on one side. It's brighter inside and has views of the shore from the main bedroom's front and side windows. Our corner condo is not like the interior units that are sandwiched between 2 walls. They only have one window in their main bedroom. Their 2nd bedroom's window opens to the back, facing a walkway, or parking lot. Strangers can look in. The window in our 2nd bedroom faces the tropical grounds and the pool.
OUR CONDO HAS REMOTE CONTROLLED, CENTRAL AIR in the living room/dining area, main bedroom and 2nd bedroom. Each can be adjusted separately. With built in dehumidifiers, they remove moisture from the air. In summer Maui gets into the 90's, with the humidity at 80%. CENTRAL A/C is a MUST, a built-in dehumidifier is even better. We also have 6 cooling, ceiling fans. Some condos with central air, only install it in the living room and main bedroom. Ignoring the back bedroom, which can become hot. Many condos only have a small air conditioning unit in an opening, off their lanai in the living room. On a 2 or 4-hour timer, every couple of hours you have to turn it back on. Their main bedroom is warm, their back bedroom is hot. A few condos have no air conditioning.
We have newer porcelain "drift wood look" tile floors in the living room, dining room and main bedroom. I'm constantly adding items to enhance our guest's enjoyment. I was at the condo in the summer of 2023 doing more upgrades. I added 3 Roku Smart TV’s. We also have 3 DVD/Blu-ray players. I removed some of the older bamboo furniture for lovely, new pieces. There is fast, secure Wi-Fi. We have games, books, movies, a printer, ice chests, snorkeling gear, beach towels and sand chairs. Maui banned light-weight, breakable Styrofoam boogie boards because they were damaging the reefs. We have two sturdy "legal" non-breakable body boards. Others can be rented at the harbor, at Boss Frogs.
FOR CHILDREN WE HAVE: A stroller, high chair, 3/4 size crib (with mattress & sheets) a booster seat, eating utensils/dishes for toddlers, a Pac n Play, baby gate, sand toys, coloring books/crayons and puzzles. I have 7 grandchildren, so little ones are welcome.
There are 2 new coffee makers, 1 for K-cups, and 1 for grounds, a deluxe 4-slice toast/bagel toaster, a 72 oz. Ninja blender (for smoothies) and new silverware. There's a digital washer and dryer, dishwasher, microwave, glass top electric stove, side-by-side fridge with ice maker, filtered water, a vacuum, iron and ironing board. We have a toaster oven, dishes, pots, pans, wine glasses and more. Hopefully I've provided, whatever you might need for your vacation.
Our condo has a "relaxed" island feel with bamboo and rattan furnishings. Many people and their children rent our condo. The furniture is very nice, but not every piece is new. Most of our guests love the condo, but those that expect it to look like a hi-end hotel room, could be disappointed. If you prefer a high-end look, there are remodeled units which charge higher rates. I have tried to keep our rates reasonable, even with a direct, ocean front location, the double-sized lanai that seats 6, central air throughout, and a Sleep Number's King. Be aware that 25% of the condos at Kanai A Nalu have a "NO REFUND" policy.
In the main bedroom is a "Sleep Number's" King. Each side can be adjusted to your desired firmness or softness. We added a new pump and digital remotes (making it more responsive). Some condo's main bedrooms are open to the living room with thin sliding walls, offering no insulation from the noise of others. Our main bedroom ‘s solid walls and locking door offers privacy and a quiet retreat.
The 2nd Bedroom has twins that can be converted to a king. Both bedrooms have central air, ceiling fans, Roku Smart TV’s, DVD/Blu-ray players, views of the ocean, the grounds and the pool. In the living room is a Queen Sleeper sofa with a comfortable memory foam mattress. The condo sleeps six guests plus a baby (there's a 3/4 size crib).
The main bath has an oversized, walk-in/roll-in shower (wheelchair accessible) with both a hand held and a wall mounted shower head. The condo is wheelchair accessible, with wide doorways and the oversized lanai that is level with the grass. But the unit is NOT ADA compliant. There are new towels (2023) and rugs. The 2nd bathroom has a full-size tub (for little ones) with a hand-held shower head above. Both have ceiling fans, makeup mirrors and wall mounted hair dryers.
Kanai A Nalu is rated as one of the best properties in Maalaea, on over two acres of ocean-front tropical grounds, all on a quiet cul-de-sac with stainless steel BBQ's, solar heated pool, ocean side shower and a pool-side eating area. Our condo is only steps from a free parking spot and the pool. Being a ground floor unit, you don't have to carry luggage upstairs or to the back of the complex for the elevators.
The other 7 complexes down the street, towards the harbor are on a reef. Two are next to the busy Maalaea Harbor, with the sound of boat engines and exhaust fumes. Many have distant parking lots where you have to carry your bags a long way. Many do not have air, and half have coin $$ operated laundry rooms. That can be a pain if you have to do laundry often. Our unit has a state-of-the-art FULL-SIZED digital washing machine (takes pods, liquid or powder) and FULL-SIZED digital dryer.