Kihei is a popular tourist destination with 6 miles of beaches and near-constant sunshine. For the town's 20,000 locals, it’s more than that. “I moved here for the weather, but we stay for the people,” says Tom Tezak, a local who’s been in real estate since 2000. He’s a broker and global affiliates director with Hawaii Life. “We are a melting pot of positive mental attitudes. You’ll find that most places in Hawaii, but especially here. If you wore a suit and tie, people would think you were from another planet. Our lifestyle is the beach, water sports, hiking, golf and pickleball — all in the same day, 365 days a year.” The town combines this outdoorsy lifestyle with bustling hotels, restaurants and malls. Still, it’s not as busy as West Maui resort towns such as Ka’anapali and Kapalua.
Beachgoers enjoying a relaxing stroll at Kamaole Beach Park
Kihei is usually bright and sunny year-round, the perfect beach destination.
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Coastal green spaces like Kamaole Beach Park, Sugar Beach
White sand and turquoise water are the major draws here. “The number one best thing about Kihei is that you have proximity to the best beaches on Maui,” says Christopher Barca, a real estate agent since the early 2000s and a founding member of Compass Hawai’i. Kamaole Beach Park, Sugar Beach and Charley Young Beach are among the most visited, but near a boat ramp on the town’s south side, some smaller beaches get less traffic. “As a general rule, it’s easy to find a patch of sand in Kihei without fighting for it. Going up the west side of the island, the beaches are more crowded because of the resorts,” Tezak says. Swimming, snorkeling and kayaking are just some of the activities here. Kalama Park also has skateboarding, basketball and tennis, and a nearby surf spot, The Cove, caters to beginners. Just east, the Maui Nui Golf Club is an 18-hole course with mountain and bay views. Additional recreation opportunities are a 35-mile drive inland, as the Haleakala Mountains rise up out of the countryside. A part of a national park of the same name, this range surrounds a dormant volcano, and some peaks have views of the Big Island, such as the 10,000-foot Pu’u ‘Ula’ula. Kailua residents can enjoy these parks with almost-year-round sunshine and temperatures in 70s. That’s because Maui’s leeward side receives gentler trade winds than the wayward side, creating a drier climate.
Many parks in Kihei offer sports areas like volleyball and basketball.
There are no bad views in Kihei.
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Single-family homes and condos with Ma’alaea Bay views
Kihei was marshland for most of its history. That was until the 1970s, when water was piped in from Central Maui’s aquifer and the area’s real estate boomed. Condos came later in the 1980s and ‘90s. Today, these originals mix with modern-style homes built after the 2000s, and the coast has especially filled with new developments. The town’s median price is $1.2 million, doubling that of neighboring Ma’alaea but almost halving that of Wailea-Makena.
Kihei Sands boutique condo offers beautiful views at Sugar Beach.
Contemporary homes in Moana Estates are perfect for families.
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Fresh fish and local grocers on Kihei Road
Most shops and restaurants are a couple of blocks from the beach, scattered along Kihei Road. On the town’s north side, Azeka Shopping Center has Hawaiian, Thai and Japanese restaurants that specialize in fresh fish. Kukui Mall is central with a movie theater and sports bars. In the south, Rainbow Mall has beach shops, and local grocers are nearby.
Shoppers can buy groceries at Safeway at Piilani Village Shops.
Fresh produce is sold daily at Foodland in Kihei.
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Hawaii Department of Education: close campuses, new Kulanihako’i High
The Hawaii Department of Education serves Kihei and the state overall. Five schools are in town, and they’re roughly within a mile of each other. They all receive a B-minus or better, but Kulanihako’i High is unrated since it opened in 2023. The $245 million campus includes moveable walls with white boards, water features and a combined auditorium and cafeteria space.
Lokulani Intermediate School is located in the heart of Kihei.
Kamali'i Elementary School is located near Piilani Hwy.
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Crime rates on Maui, fires in Kihei
The Maui Police Department serves this area and the island as a whole. According to their most recent FBI report in 2021, Maui had violent crime rates similar to the state and national levels. Property crime rates were significantly lower than state levels but were significantly higher than national ones. Maui County Fire Department is another islandwide service. They responded to the 2023 Lahaina Fire in North Kihei, one section of the 2,200-acre blaze that damaged many communities. A brush fire also broke out after high winds in 2024, burning an acre of vacant land. Tsunamis, hurricanes and earthquakes are other considerations.
Walking the coast, driving around South Maui
Less than 10 miles from north to south, Kihei is walkable and bikeable. Maui County also operates hourly bus routes along the coast, traveling from Ma’alaea to Wailea. Most people have a car here, though, to access other parts of the island. The Pi’ilani Highway is the only way in and out of South Maui, stretching along the inland side. Kihei Road is another thoroughfare on the town’s coastal side. About 10 miles north on this route, Kahului Airport has interisland and overseas flights.
Early morning is a great time to enjoy the beach before the crowds arrive.
Kihei and surrounding neighborhoods have miles of scenic shoreline.
Gloria Ezera R(BIC), specializes in helping clients buy and sell homes with confidence. With extensive experience and a strong track record of successful transactions, she brings expertise, market knowledge, and negotiation skills to every deal. Known for her open communication, transparency, and client-focused approach, Gloria ensures a smooth and stress-free real estate experience. Whether assisting sellers, buyers, or investors, she is dedicated to guiding clients through every step of the process to achieve their real estate goals.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
