To those fortunate who have visited Montage Residences Kapalua Bay, it is no surprise this Kapalua luxury property was honored as the top resort hotel in Hawaii by Travel & Leisure. The world renowned publication conducts an annual survey of its readers, with hotels being rated based on quality of accommodations, level of service, dining, and overall value proposition to guests. 

Breathtaking view of Montage Kapalua Bay

A large reason for the Montage's success is its low density - sitting atop 24 of the most valued acres of Kapalua real estate, the Montage consists of merely 50 luxury units, which are rented in various configurations including up to large 4 bedroom condos, bringing the privacy and space of a home, with the convenience of 5 star resort…

Through decades, Makena real estate has proven to be one of the strongest ultra-luxury Hawaii real estate markets in the entire State. With an idyllic location in a comparably undeveloped area (specially when compared to Wailea or Kapalua), yet boasting some of the most pristine coast anywhere in the world and luxury amenities rivaling those of any ultra affluent resort town, it is easy to understand how and why Makena appeals to some of the world's wealthiest and most famous - from Hollywood movie stars, to Silicon Valley entrepreneurs, to Wall Street tycoons and everything in between making Makena their Hawaii getaway.

As we are half way through the year, it is a great time to measure how the Makena market is faring. First, let's look at how 2017 turned…

On our previous post, we detailed a list of complexes that allow for Maui Condo Vacation Rentals. As a follow up, it's pertinent to also understand that single-family homes are not permitted to be used as vacation rentals UNLESS they are permitted specifically by the County. Now Maui County has a process by which applicable Single-Family Residences can apply for a permit, these permits are non-transferrable (cannot be passed through a sale to the new owner) and are limited to a specified amount per Region.

As a service to our clients, we are posting the most up-to-date list as of the publishing of this post, 07/15/2018. For confirmation that a specific property is still permitted or discuss available options for purchase, contact us.

Hana

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Today's question comes from a Buyer who is interested in purchasing a condo in Kihei. We are posting with Buyer's permission, for the benefit of others who may have same or similar question.

Question: My family and I are looking for a condo in Kihei to buy and we want to rent it out when we're not there. The problem that I'm facing is that I'm finding conflicting information as to which complexes allow vacation rentals. Any help would be really appreciated on this.  For prospective purchasers looking into the Maui condo market, one of the first questions is whether the unit will be used as a short-term rental when not occupied by owners and/or their guests. To start, there are many terms that are generally meant as interchangeable in this context:…

In the State of Hawaii, when a non-resident (defined as any person other than a Hawaii resident) sells their interest in real estate, there is an applicable tax withholding on the amount realized, which is generally the sales price. The amount withheld has been 5%, however new changes as passed via Senate Bill (S.B) 508, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, C.D. 1, now increase the amount to 7.25% for any transaction that closes on or after September 15, 2018.

As per the Announcement published by the Department of Taxation:

"In sum, a transferee or buyer must withhold 7.25 percent of the amount realized by the transferor on the disposition of Hawaii real property if the transfer occurs on or after September 15, 2018, unless an exemption applies." There are applicable…

Open Table has become the de facto leader in restaurant reservations - such a relationship with dining customers has transformed into arguably the most robust review database of restaurants in the US. Based on over 12M reviews from verified Open Table reviewers of over 27,000 restaurants nationwide, Open Table has released their list of Top 100 Al Fresco Restaurants in America. Hawaii is honored with 10 restaurants in the top 100 - what may be surprising is that 7 of those 10 are located on Maui. 

Hawaii's Restaurants:

Hau Tree Lanai - Honolulu, Oahu
Keoki's Paradise - Koloa, Kauai
Monkeypod Kitchen - Koolina, Oahu
The Mill House - Waikapu, Maui
Mama's Fish House - Paia, Maui
Leilani's on the Beach - Kaanapali, Maui
Kimo's Restaurant - Lahaina, Maui
The Hula Grill…

Update: For the latest Maui Property Tax Rates and to compare to other Counties in Hawaii, visit our Hawaii Real Estate Tax Rates page.

In an effort to keep our clients updated on Maui County property tax rates, we are posting the new tax rates for the fiscal year which runs from July 1, 2018 through June 30, 2019. For the most part, tax rates are very slightly adjusted to the previous year but it is absolutely worth noting that there is a new category: Short Term Rental.

Rates are as follows, based on $1K of assessed value:

Single Family Residence:  $2.86 (Homeowner) and $5.52 (Second Home)
Agricultural: $6.00
Hotel/Resort: $9.37
Apartment: $6.31
Short-Term Rental: $9.28
Commercial Residential (see note below):  $4.55
Conservation: $6.35
Industrial:  $7.45
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As reported by U.S. News, Kapalua Bay Beach has been named as the top beach in 2018 by Stephen Leatherman, a.k.a. Dr Beach, in his much-anticipated annual rankings, which have become a de facto standard bearer for unbiased ranking of America's best beaches.

It comes as no surprise to those familiar with Kapalua Bay Beach and its incredible setting. With reefs protecting each end of bay, forming the prototypical perfect crescent shape beach, Kapalua Bay Beach offers sheltered, warm waters perfect for swimming, snorkeling, SUP, and more. With a gentle slope (particularly on the north end) and relatively shallow waters, this beach is a haven for snorkelers, from beginners to experts. Through decades of positive press and exposure, it has become a…

One of the most popular events in South Maui is upon us. The biannual Restaurant Week Wailea will take place November 5th through November 11 at participating resort restaurants. With some of the most revered restaurants in Hawaii, Wailea is home to many celebrity chefs such as Masaharu Morimoto, who heads Morimoto Maui at the enviable location at the Andaz Maui, and Roy Yamaguchi, who heads Humble Market Kitchin at the Wailea Beach Resort Marriott Maui. The three course prix fixe menus range from $29, $39, $49, and $59 per person and offer a varied assortment of culinary delights to excite even the most discerning foodies. View the Restaurant Week Wailea menu and find your delectable piece of paradise. This dinner promotion helps the Maui Food Bank,

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Maui has much to offer, from world renown beaches, to championship golf courses, to five star resorts, the list is endless. However, a factor that is sometimes overlooked by visitors and residents is the high level of culinary expertise that abounds. The perfect combination of chefs flocking to Hawaii to master their craft and bountiful local products (i.e. produce, meats, fish) create the ideal setting for some incredible dining experiences. As such, it's no surprise that when Trip Advisor released its list of Top 25 Fine Dining Restaurants in the U.S., three of them are in Hawaii - all of which are on Maui!

Mama's Fish House - Paia

Quite simply, Mama's Fish House is an institution unto itself, with a well-deserved reputation for creating an

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