Last updated: July 15, 2026 · By the Hansen Ohana
Kihei is South Maui's more local, more attainable side of the coast — a six-mile-plus run of beaches and condo buildings stretching past the Kamaole Beach parks, on the island's sunnier, drier side. It's where a lot of first Maui purchases, vacation-rental buys, and local moves happen. The Hansen Ohana works this market from a home base just up the road in Wailea — broker Clint Hansen (RB-21616), Maui-born and a graduate of Seabury Hall, leads a three-generation family brokerage, Maui Luxury Real Estate LLC (RB-21577), that has sold Maui real estate since 1997 and earned a 2025 Hawaii Business Top Performer recognition.
Kihei is a condo-heavy market — buildings line South Kihei Road near Kamaole I, II and III, and inventory here tends to be more attainable than the resort-luxury pricing in neighboring Wailea and Makena . That said, buildings vary a lot in HOA rules and, increasingly, in whether they're permitted for vacation rental at all. Uncertainty around Bill 9 — which affects which properties can be vacation-rented — has significantly softened prices on Kihei condos and Maui condos generally, and broker Clint Hansen sees that as a real opening: buyers typically need significantly less money down to make a purchase pencil out right now. Whatever building you're considering, confirm its current STR permit status and HOA rules before you write an offer — that's exactly the kind of local, building-by-building knowledge a South Maui agent should bring to the table.
Clint is upfront that most buyers aren't in it purely for profit: "You don't buy here to make money — you buy here for a lifestyle change." Property-management fees running ~25%, on top of Hawaii's GET, the TAT, and the Maui County TAT (MCTAT), make pure cash-flow investing tough even with real money down. Layout matters more than almost anything else. One of Clint's favorite Kihei picks is Maui Banyan, where a two-bedroom unit is often a lock-off — you can rent one side as a studio and the other as a one-bedroom, effectively two units for the price of one, with the flexibility to use just the studio for a short stay or the full two-bedroom when family visits. Read Clint's full Maui vacation-rental investment guide →
Because pricing here tends to run more attainable than Wailea or Makena, Kihei is a common landing spot for local and first-time Maui buyers — including neighborhoods upslope from the coast such as Maui Meadows . Working with local (kamaʻāina) buyers is one of the Hansen Ohana's specialties, and it's backed by a real commitment beyond individual transactions: Principal Broker Bob Hansen is a founding board member of Nā Hale O Maui, the island's affordable-housing land trust. The team's "touch over tech" philosophy — every client works directly with a Hansen, not a chatbot or a bought lead — matters especially here, where knowing which buildings are realistic for a first Maui purchase takes real local knowledge, not just a search filter.
Looking island-wide instead? See the full Best Real Estate Agent in Maui (2026 Guide).
Buying, selling, or investing in Kihei? Get local, honest guidance before you write an offer.
Clint Hansen, Broker (RB-21616) ·
161 Wailea Ike Place, A-106, Wailea, Maui, HI 96753
Office: (808) 879-3667 · clinthansen@mauirealestate.net
