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

Quick Answer: Nāpili, Kahana and Honokōwai sit between Kāʻanapali and Kapalua and form one of Maui’s most active condo markets in 2026. Per the REALTORS® Association of Maui, 106 condos sold there January through September 2026, up from 81, while the median fell to $537,500 from $610,000. Bill 9’s West Maui phase-out takes effect January 1, 2029.

I’m Benjamin Finnerty, a REALTOR® in Kīhei with Keller Williams Realty Maui, and I focus on Maui condos and short-term-rental zoning, which is exactly where this stretch of coastline gets interesting. If you picture Maui as oceanfront condos and sunsets over Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi, this is probably the part of the island you’re imagining. Here’s what living in Nāpili, Kahana and Honokōwai looks like right now, and what I’d want you to understand before you make an offer.

Where Are Nāpili, Kahana and Honokōwai?

They run along Lower Honoapiʻilani Road on Maui’s northwest shore, north of Kāʻanapali and south of Kapalua. Honokōwai sits closest to Kāʻanapali, Kahana is in the middle, and Nāpili borders Kapalua. Most of the area is lined with low- and mid-rise condo complexes along the shoreline, with some single-family neighborhoods on the slopes above the highway.

Lahaina town is a short drive south. Since the August 8, 2023, wildfire, many day-to-day services that used to be in Lahaina are still being rebuilt, so residents of this area often drive to Kāʻanapali or to Central Maui for some shopping, appointments and errands.

What Do Condos Cost in Nāpili, Kahana and Honokōwai in 2026?

The year-to-date condo median was $537,500 through September 2026, down from $610,000 a year earlier, according to RAM’s September 2026 report:

Nāpili/Kahana/Honokōwai	Jan–Sep 2026	Same period 2025
Condo sales	106 (up 30.9%)	81
Condo median price	$537,500	$610,000
Single-family sales	17	22
Single-family median price	$1,500,000	$1,790,000

In September 2026 alone, the area recorded 13 condo sales. For comparison, the countywide condo median year to date is $655,000, and neighboring Kāʻanapali’s year-to-date condo median is $1,027,500. That price gap is a big reason this area appeals to buyers who want West Maui ocean access at a lower entry point. Single-family homes are much less common here.

How Does Bill 9 Affect Nāpili, Kahana and Honokōwai Condos?

Bill 9 phases out transient vacation rentals in apartment-zoned buildings, and in West Maui that takes effect January 1, 2029, two years earlier than the January 1, 2031, date for the rest of Maui County. Bill 9 was signed December 15, 2025. Many condo complexes here sit in apartment zoning and have operated as vacation rentals, so this is the most important question for buyers in the area.

The County is also considering hotel rezoning that could let some complexes keep short-term rentals. That process is still underway, so the status of each building can be different.

What that means for you:

• If you plan to live in your condo full time or part of the year: Lower prices and more inventory can work in your favor, and Bill 9 is aimed at returning units to long-term housing.
• If you plan to rent long term: West Maui’s housing shortage after the fire keeps long-term rental demand strong.
• If you’re counting on vacation rental income: Confirm the building’s zoning, its current permits and its rezoning status before you make an offer, and assume no rental income after the phase-out date unless the building’s status changes.

What Is Daily Life Like on Maui’s Northwest Shore?

Life here revolves around the ocean. Calm-season mornings bring snorkelers and stand-up paddlers to the protected bays, and the views across the channel to Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi are some of the best on the island. Winter brings bigger surf and whale season offshore.

The trade-off is distance. West Maui connects to the rest of the island mainly by Honoapiʻilani Highway, so commuting to jobs in Kahului or Wailuku takes planning, and traffic can back up when there’s an accident or road work. Many residents work locally in hospitality, the resorts or the rebuild, or work remotely.

My Take: What I’m Telling West Maui Condo Buyers

The numbers make this area worth a serious look: 106 condo sales through September 2026 with a median of $537,500, compared with $1,027,500 next door in Kāʻanapali. More sales and lower prices mean you have choices and room to negotiate.

But I treat every complex here as its own decision. Before an offer, I’d pull the building’s zoning, its permit history and where it stands in the hotel rezoning process, and I’d underwrite the purchase as if vacation rental income stops on January 1, 2029. If the numbers still work as a residence or a long-term rental, you’re on solid ground. If they only work with short-term rental income, that’s a scenario, not a plan.

Finally, drive the commute at the hours you’d actually travel and check which services are open nearby while Lahaina rebuilds.

 

This is general information, not legal advice. Please confirm a specific building’s zoning and rental status with a Hawaiʻi attorney.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the median condo price in Nāpili, Kahana and Honokōwai?

RAM reports a year-to-date median of $537,500 through September 2026, down from $610,000 in 2025.

Are condos selling in this area?

Yes. Sales are up 30.9% year to date, with 106 condos sold through September 2026.

When does Bill 9 take effect in West Maui?

The vacation rental phase-out for apartment-zoned buildings takes effect January 1, 2029, in West Maui.

Is Nāpili a good place to live full time?

If ocean access matters most and distance from Central Maui isn’t a problem, it can be a great fit. Plan for commute times and check what services are available nearby as Lahaina rebuilds.

For more context, read my take on how Bill 9 is reshaping Maui’s condo market, what Lahaina’s slow rebuild means for buyers and sellers, and Maui condo prices by area.

Ask Benjamin

Every complex in Nāpili, Kahana and Honokōwai has its own zoning, rules, fees and story. I’m Benjamin Finnerty, and I’m happy to help you compare buildings and sort out what Bill 9 means for a specific unit; just call or text me at 808-481-9748 or email benjaminfinnerty@gmail.com.

Sources: REALTORS® Association of Maui (Monthly Indicators, September 2026); County of Maui; Maui Now; Honolulu Civil Beat; Hawaiʻi Public Radio.