Lucky to Live Hawaii
I have been lucky enough to live on Maui for 20 years. I had my 20 year “Maui-versary” in December. We have lived in Lahaina town in the Shark Pit area for twelve years now. We own a house steps to the ocean and love our Lahaina life. But prior to that, before kids, my husband and I lived for 7 blissful years in the tropical, beautiful condo complex, Pohailani Maui. We owned our 2 bedroom/1 bathroom unit on the mauka (mountain) side of the property.
Pohailani Maui
Pohailani Maui is located in West Maui in Kahana. It is located on Lower Honoapiilani Road, referred by the locals as the “Lower Road.” A number of condo complexes are located on the lower road, but Pohailani is unique as it has units on the makai and mauka sides of the road. Makai means ocean, and mauka means mountain.
The makai side of the property is one building comprised of studio units. All of the units have unobstructed, gorgeous ocean views. There is a barbecue area, picnic table and lounge chairs on the ocean that any resident can use.
The mauka side of the property is all 2 bedroom/1 bathroom units. Each building is comprised of 2 units, one upper and one lower. The buildings are situated in a circle, giving Pohailani its meaning, “circle of heaven.” There are two pools, tennis court, barbecues, laundry area, all set in a beautiful tropical setting.
One of the beautiful pools in Pohailani.
Changes at Pohailani
Since forever, Pohailani Maui owners enjoyed the ability to do short-term rentals, long-term rentals, or owner occupancy. A short-term rental condo does not require a special permit, and the whole property is either allowed to do them or not. The county has a list, referred to as the Minatoya List, of allowable vacation rentals. A short-term rental is considered anything under 6 months.
In the Fall of 2021, owners of the mauka units at Pohailani received notice they can no longer do short-term rentals due to a zoning discrepancy. They were subsequently given a timeline to cease vacation rental operations. What is unique about this situation is that the makai units of Pohailani are zoned hotel, and can therefore continue as business as usual.
What’s Next at Pohailani
Owners were shocked about the recent changes for usage at Pohailani. If an owner is not going to be an owner-occupant, many changed to doing a long-term rental. Long-term rentals on Maui are a minimum of 6 months. This is actually a wonderful thing, as Pohailani is such a wonderful place to live. I speak from experience!
Three Recent Pohailani Sales
With the recent changes, a few extra units came up for sale at Pohailani. A number of new owners are moving into Pohailani and enjoying the beautiful setting. I hear a few owners even started playing pickleball together!
Pohailani brings a great value, as there are not many two bedroom condos on the Lower Road. If you have been following Maui real estate of late, the median sales price of a Maui condo is currently $820,000 (RAM March 2022). Pohailani units are currently listed in the $600,000 range.
In the past few months, I have had the opportunity to have three successful closed sales at Pohailani. I represented the Sellers of units 156 ($550,000) and 142 ($530,000) and the Buyers for unit 116 ($535,000). I bring unique insight to a sale at Pohailani since I am a former owner and resident of 7 years.
Pohailani 156 sold for full price with multiple offers.
The Maui market continues to be hot, hot, hot! If you have questions about Pohailani Maui, or anything else Maui real estate, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Click here to see current Pohailani Maui listings.
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