By Benjamin Finnerty (S), REALTOR® (RS-83812) with Keller Williams Realty Maui · Kīhei, Maui · 808-481-9748

Quick Answer: Through September 2026, 49 single-family homes sold in the Makawao/Olinda/Haliʻimaile area at a median of $1,560,000, up 14.3% from $1,365,000 in the same period of 2025, according to the REALTORS® Association of Maui. Countywide, the year-to-date median fell to $1,219,000 from $1,300,000.

I’m Benjamin Finnerty, a REALTOR® in Kīhei with Keller Williams Realty Maui. Makawao homes have bucked the countywide trend this year, and Upcountry buyers ask me different questions than beach-condo buyers do: water, wildfire, wastewater, roads. Here’s what the 2026 sales data shows for Makawao, Olinda and Haliʻimaile, and the checks I’d put on any Upcountry home before writing an offer.

What do homes cost in Makawao in 2026?

The median single-family sale in RAM’s Makawao/Olinda/Haliʻimaile area was $1,560,000 for January through September 2026, on 49 sales. That compares with a $1,365,000 median on 58 sales in the same months of 2025.

The monthly numbers swing because the sample is small. In September 2026 alone, five homes sold in the area at a median of $1,085,000, compared with six sales at $1,422,500 in September 2025. That’s why I lean on year-to-date figures for an area this size, and on the specific comparable sales for any one property.

How do Makawao home prices compare with the rest of Upcountry Maui?

Makawao’s year-to-date median is the highest of the Upcountry areas in RAM’s report, just above Kula. Here’s the comparison, January through September:

RAM area (single-family)	2026 sales	2026 median	2025 sales	2025 median
Makawao/Olinda/Haliʻimaile	49	$1,560,000	58	$1,365,000
Kula/Ulupalakua/Kanaio	49	$1,530,000	43	$1,640,000
Pukalani	21	$1,249,000	17	$1,140,000
Haʻikū	36	$1,325,000	47	$1,497,000
Maui County (all areas)	537	$1,219,000	527	$1,300,000

Source: REALTORS® Association of Maui, September 2026 report, year-to-date single-family data by area, as of Oct. 1, 2026.

Two things stand out. Makawao had fewer sales than last year but a higher median, while Kula had more sales at a lower median. For a buyer, that means Makawao sellers have had pricing support in 2026, and negotiating room will depend heavily on the individual property. My Maui home prices by area guide has the rest of the island.

What should I check about water before buying a home in Makawao?

Start by confirming the water source and the meter. Many Upcountry properties are served by the County’s Upcountry water system, which has a long waiting list for new meters, and some rely on catchment or private systems.

Questions to answer before you go firm:

• Does the property have an active County water meter, and what size?
• If you plan to add an ʻohana or ADU, will the existing meter support it?
• If the home is on catchment, what’s the tank size, condition and filtration?

My guides to the Upcountry water meter waitlist and buying a home on catchment water go deeper on both.

What should buyers know about wildfire risk in Makawao and Olinda?

Wildfire is a real factor Upcountry. On Aug. 8, 2023, the same day as the Lahaina and Kula fires, the Olinda fire started and grew to about 1,081 acres, according to the County of Maui and Maui Now.

For a buyer, that translates into three practical checks: how close the home sits to unmanaged grass or brush, how many routes lead into and out of the area, and what homeowners insurance will cost. I suggest getting an insurance quote during the inspection period, not after, since wildfire exposure can affect both price and availability of coverage.

What about wastewater, cesspools and septic systems?

Ask whether the home is on a cesspool, a septic system or County sewer, and get the records. Under Hawaiʻi’s Act 125 (2017), every cesspool in the state must be upgraded, converted or connected to sewer by Jan. 1, 2050. A cesspool doesn’t stop a sale, but replacement is a cost a buyer should price in, and a septic inspection is worth adding to your due diligence.

Is there a community plan that covers Makawao?

Yes. Makawao falls under the Makawao-Pukalani-Kula Community Plan, one of nine community plans the County uses to guide land use. Under Maui County Code Chapter 2.80B, community plans are meant to be updated every 10 years. If you’re buying land or a home with room to build, confirm the zoning and community plan designation with the County Planning Department before you go firm.

My Take: What I’m Telling Upcountry Buyers

When I walk a property with a buyer Upcountry, I look at the water meter, how close the home is to vacant land parcels, the general condition of the surrounding area, and the roads into and out of the area. Those four things tell you a lot about water reliability, wildfire exposure and day-to-day access, and none of them show up in the listing photos.

On price, Makawao’s 14.3% year-to-date gain sits against a 6.2% drop in the countywide single-family median, so I’m careful not to treat the area median as a ceiling or a floor. Small samples can swing on a few large-lot or high-elevation sales. I’d pull the last six to nine months of comparable sales with similar lot size, elevation and water setup, then write your offer from those.

If Upcountry weather is part of your decision, my Maui weather by area guide compares rainfall and temperatures.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the median home price in Makawao in 2026?

$1,560,000 for single-family homes sold January through September 2026 in the Makawao/Olinda/Haliʻimaile area, per RAM.

Are Makawao home prices going up?

The year-to-date median is up 14.3% from 2025, but on fewer sales. That’s a snapshot of what has sold, not a forecast.

Can I get a new County water meter in Makawao?

New Upcountry meters go through the County’s waiting list. Confirm a property’s existing meter before you buy.

Does Makawao have wildfire risk?

Yes. The Olinda fire burned about 1,081 acres in August 2023. Check defensible space, access roads and insurance costs on any Upcountry property.

Ask Benjamin

Looking at a home in Makawao, Olinda, Haliʻimaile or elsewhere Upcountry? I’m Benjamin Finnerty, and I’m glad to pull recent comparable sales and help you work through water, access and insurance questions. Call or text 808-481-9748 or email benjamin@the808team.com.

Sources: REALTORS® Association of Maui, September 2026 report (monthly and year-to-date single-family data by area); County of Maui (Aug. 18, 2023, fire update; Community Plans page); Maui Now (Oct. 6, 2023); Hawaiʻi Act 125 (2017).