Between its perennially sunny weather and abundance of excellent watersports, South Maui’s quintessential beach town has become one of the fastest-growing enclaves in Hawaii. It’s no wonder: With the densest concentration of spectacular beaches on the island and a tight-knit community of aloha-spirited residents, Kihei presents the best Hawaii offers.
Read on for expert realtor Chelsea Dimin’s leading reasons to call the 96753 home.
1. Sublime weather
Picture Hawaii and sun-drenched shores will likely come to mind. And yet, the North Pacific archipelago contains six of the world’s major climates — and a bevy of microclimates. In other words? Each region on Maui has its own prevailing weather system, and Kihei’s is the most glorious among them. Temperatures here rarely dip below the mid-70s, and Kihei seldom receives rain or extreme conditions. The balmy weather makes every day a beach day in Kihei and is one of the reasons people relocate to this always-lovely hamlet.
2. Remarkable beaches
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The once-sleepy region of Kihei caught the eye of developers in the 1970s, who noted not only its open expanses of warm, arid land but also its beautiful, stolen-from-a-postcard beaches. Each one of the beaches in this intimate, friendly community is for the record books, from the pure, golden sand at Kamaole One to the swath of untouched shoreline that spans from the Canoe Club to Maalaea.
3. Terrific outdoor adventures
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Whether you love early-morning bike rides or are keen on learning how to longboard, Kihei offers an abundance of splendid outdoor activities. Pack up your board and light out at Cove Park for a few waves, grab your SUP and paddle out at Keawakapu before the wind arrives, or spend sunset hiking the ever-enchanting Hoapili Trail in La Perouse. From skimboarding and snorkeling to diving and fishing, Kihei is the ultimate outdoor playground.
4. Excellent dining
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Hawaiian cuisine has been tremendously influenced by the influx of plantation laborers who arrived in the 19th century to work the pineapple and sugarcane fields. The result? An explosive and outstanding dining scene that features fare from Japan, China, Portugal, the Philippines, and more. The restaurant Ko, located a mere ten minutes south of Kihei in the luxe Fairmont Kea Lani, exemplifies this with plates ranging from ono pulehu chicken to paniolo bone-in steak with pohole ferns. The rest of Kihei boasts stellar venues that satisfy every craving. Superb sushi at Sansei, delectable Thai at Nutcharee’s, pineapple salsa-topped fish tacos at Coconut’s, unforgettable pizza at Penny’s Pizza & Pasta, seared ahi at Nalu’s–the town positively teems with wonderful eateries.
5. Outstanding schools
One of Kihei’s biggest draws is its top school system. Kamali’i Elementary School is perfectly positioned in South Kihei and features a solid staff and a beautiful campus, while Kihei Charter School, which serves children through high school, offers the STEM/STEAM program and watches a high number of its students head off to impressive colleges. The beach town’s new high school, Kulanihako’i, is also slated to open within the next year.
6. Great nightlife
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True, Maui’s nightlife doesn’t hold a candle to what can be found on the island of Oahu; but Maui’s quiet and the emphasis residents place on health, wellness, and spending time outside is a large part of the island’s appeal. For Maui standards, though, Kihei offers the best nightlife, second only to Front Street in Lahaina. Whether you’re in the mood to be serenaded at sunset while sipping a craft cocktail at the Andaz or want to heat the dance floor at Vibe, this beachy city certainly knows how to party. What’s more, festivals and events are hosted throughout the year, from St. Patty’s Day concerts at Mulligans on the Blue to 4th Friday town parties — a community fete featuring live music, vintage vehicles, live music, and plenty of camaraderie.
7. Optimal location
Kihei’s expanse of gorgeous, white-sand beaches may be its highest distinction, but it’s also conveniently located on the island. “Town,” or the center of commerce that is Kahului, is roughly 20 minutes away, depending on where you live in Kihei; getting to the airport essentially requires the same amount of time. Historic Wailuku Town is also 20 minutes away and offers the triumvirate of date nights: A hike in Iao Valley, a live show at the vintage, century-old Iao Theater, and tropical-infused cocktails and bar bites at Esters Fair Prospect. The drive from Kihei to Lahaina (arguably the hottest spot on the island for longboarding and shopping) is one of the most magnificent stretches of roads in the Hawaiian Islands and requires less than an hour of your time. Ditto for the cool, bucolic slopes of Kula and the lush, serrated coastline of Haiku. To phrase it differently, Kihei is ideally situated to offer easy access to all the island’s splendors.
8. Diverse real estate options
Kihei is bound to have you covered, no matter your ultimate real estate desires. If your ideal Maui home is in a pristine, family-friendly neighborhood complete with stunning views of the Pacific, look no further than Maui Meadows. This lovely hillside enclave rests just above the resort community of Wailea. Keen on being near South Kihei Road, the town’s main strip? Contemporary waterfront condominiums with high-end touches are available in spades. Indeed, from the posh, sprawling homes in Moana Estates to the beachy bungalows that dot central Kihei’s Halama Street, the town has a broad, alluring selection of properties.
Acclaimed real estate agent Chelsea Dimin is the partner to work with to discover this range of options. The former digital media and advertising maven fell in love with the island at the age of 25 and has gone on to become one of the island’s most prized brokers. Whether you’re scouting out Wailea or Kihei real estate or exploring Kihei luxury homes, she can point you toward the South Maui property that will bring you enduring joy. Moving to Kihei will be simple and enjoyable with her by your side.
*Header photo courtesy of Unsplash
