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

Quick Answer: Living in Kīhei means sunny South Maui weather, beaches off South Kīhei Road, everyday services in town and Maui’s widest choice of condos. About 21,400 people lived here at the 2020 Census. Bill 9 ends apartment-zoned vacation rentals outside West Maui by January 1, 2031, which could mean more condos for full-time living.

I’m Benjamin Finnerty, a REALTOR® in Kīhei with Keller Williams Realty Maui. I live and work in Kīhei, and it’s the town I’m asked about most by people moving to Maui and condo buyers. Here’s a straightforward look at what living in Kīhei is like right now and what buyers should know before they start touring.

What is it like living in Kīhei, Maui?

Kīhei runs along Maui’s south shore, between Māʻalaea Bay and Wailea. In everyday terms, that means:

• Beach access is part of daily life. The Kamaʻole Beach Parks (I, II and III) and many smaller beaches sit right off South Kīhei Road, so a sunrise walk or after-work swim is easy.
• Sunny, dry weather. South Maui is on the leeward side of Haleakalā, so it’s generally sunnier and drier than Upcountry or the north shore.
• Everyday conveniences. Grocery stores, restaurants, gyms, medical offices and shopping centers are spread along Piʻilani Highway and South Kīhei Road, so most errands stay in town.
• Steady growth. Kīhei has grown from about 11,100 residents in 1990 to about 21,400 in 2020.

What are the downsides of living in Kīhei?

Summer days get hot, and traffic on South Kīhei Road and Piʻilani Highway can be slow at peak times. Many older condo buildings near the water also face long-term flood and sea-level-rise questions that buyers should look into before making an offer.

Does Kīhei have its own public high school?

Yes. Kūlanihākoʻi High School opened on August 7, 2023, as Kīhei’s first public high school, built mauka (toward the mountain) of Piʻilani Highway. Before it opened, South Maui students commuted to high schools in Central Maui. The campus opened with freshmen and sophomores and adds a grade each year.

What kinds of homes are there in Kīhei?

Condos are the heart of the Kīhei market. They range from older walk-up buildings across from the beach to newer complexes inland. Many oceanfront and near-ocean buildings are on the Minatoya List and have operated as vacation rentals.

Single-family homes are mostly in neighborhoods mauka of South Kīhei Road and along the Piʻilani corridor. Houses with ocean views and ʻohana (accessory) units tend to draw the most competition.

New affordable rentals are coming online too. Hale O Piʻikea finished its third and final phase in 2026, bringing 223 affordable rental units to Kīhei for households earning 30% to 60% of area median income. Its first lottery drew more than 1,200 applications, a sign of how strong local demand is.

How does Bill 9 affect living in Kīhei?

Bill 9 (Ordinance 5909, signed December 15, 2025) ends transient vacation rental use in apartment-zoned Minatoya List buildings. Kīhei is outside West Maui, so its deadline is January 1, 2031. The County expects the law to return more than 6,000 units countywide to long-term residential use, and Kīhei has one of the biggest concentrations of those condos.

At the same time, the County Council is reviewing whether certain shoreline complexes in Kīhei, Māʻalaea and West Maui should be rezoned into the new H-3 and H-4 hotel districts, which would let them keep short-term rentals. The Council has sent 32 of these complexes to the Maui Planning Commission for review.

What does it cost to buy a home or condo in Kīhei?

Prices vary a lot by building and location. For context, the REALTORS® Association of Maui reported countywide August 2026 medians of:

Property type	Maui County median, August 2026
Single-family homes	$1,200,000
Condos	$564,950

Both were lower than a year earlier. Kīhei condos range from entry-level units to luxury oceanfront homes, so ask for recent sales in the specific complexes and neighborhoods you’re considering.

My Take: What I’m Telling People Moving to Kīhei

If you’re buying a place to live, the next few years could work in your favor. As 2031 gets closer, you may find more condos available for full-time living and more motivated sellers.

If you’re buying as an investment, check each building’s zoning, Minatoya status and whether it’s part of a pending rezoning before you count on short-term rental income. And whichever way you’re buying, the building matters more than ever: owner-occupant percentage, house rules, reserves and flood exposure all vary widely between Kīhei complexes.

For more detail, compare 2026 condo prices in Kīhei, West Maui and Wailea, and if you’re looking at oceanfront buildings, read my post on the sea-level-rise rule and Maui’s vacation rental fight.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Kīhei a good place to live full-time?

For many buyers, yes. It has beaches, sunshine, everyday services and its own public high school. Traffic and summer heat are the main trade-offs.

Does Kīhei have a public high school?

Yes. Kūlanihākoʻi High School opened August 7, 2023, as Kīhei’s first public high school.

When does Bill 9 affect Kīhei condos?

Apartment-zoned Minatoya List units outside West Maui, including Kīhei, must stop transient vacation rental use by January 1, 2031, unless they’re rezoned for hotel use.

Are Kīhei condos a good buy right now?

It depends on the building. Lower prices and more listings give buyers options, but check zoning, association finances and flood exposure carefully.

Ask Benjamin

Kīhei is my home base, and I’d be glad to show you around and help you compare buildings and neighborhoods, with no pressure. I’m Benjamin Finnerty; call or text me at 808-481-9748 or email benjamin@the808team.com.

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (2020), The Maui News, Maui Now, Hawaiʻi News Now, County of Maui (Bill 9), REALTORS® Association of Maui (via Maui Now and The Maui News).