MAUI VACATION RENTAL (TRANSIENT ACCOMMODATIONS) & SHORT TERM RENTAL FAQs

May 7, 2024

Since this post there have been significant changes and proposed changes in Maui County and the State of Hawaii with regard to short term rentals.  Read the updated post: May, 2024

Original Post Follows

This is an update to a post I wrote in 2017.  Since writing that post, there have been updates to the county code and new legislative proposals affecting short-term rentals.  Maui, like many places around the US that are popular vacation destinations, has grappled with affordable housing and workforce housing.  In 2022, a moratorium was passed on the approval of new transient accommodations, as well as the implementation of a new long-term rental tax category

Maui Property Taxes Fiscal Year 2023 (July 1 2022- June 30, 2023)
Changes: Classifications & Rates

Each year, Maui County does two things: assesses the value of the property AND sets new rates for the upcoming fiscal year, which runs from July 1st-June 30th.  Below is a snapshot of the new Maui County Property Tax Rates for 2022-2023 as well as a summary of how they've changed over the years.

How do you calculate your property taxes given the new tiered system?

Fidelity National Title put together this helpful video when the new tiered system was introduced in 2020.  Note the tier amounts have changed in 2022 from prior years.

Maui County Property Tax Rates 2022-2023 vs Prior Years

Rates are per $1000 of assessed value.  In 2020, the County

Take a journey back in time to a simpler life…one of peace and serenity surrounded by the natural beauty of Upcountry Maui. 

This beautifully restored ranch estate was built in 1918 and is set on 60 timbered acres.  The original owners positioned the home at the edge of the ranch lands, which still surround it. The location provides for a private, serene setting and a vantage point with sweeping views across central Maui to Mauna Kahālāwai and of the waves breaking along the North Shore.

The current owners have spent several years lovingly restoring the home.  Some of these touches may not be readily apparent but took years to accomplish: each pane of glass was preserved, cleaned and replaced within refurbished window frames and hardware to

Escape to Kaanapali: Honua Kai Konea 337

The Honua Kai is one of Kaanapali's most popular vacation destinations.  Located at the North end of Kaanapali, this vibrant resort offers an array of amenities, including an aquatic park with several pools, a fitness center, the Ho'ola Spa where you can enjoy massages and spa treatments, the charming Aina Gourmet market which is a cafe, market and deli, and the much loved Duke's Restaurant.

The long white sand beach has an extensive beach path.  The beach is the perfect setting for sunbathers, snorkelers and to enjoy Maui's spectacular sunsets, which are framed by the neighboring islands of Molokai and Lanai.

Nearby are the shops and restaurants of Honokowai and Kaanapali, as well as a collection of

Market Spotlight: Honua Kai May, 2022

The Honua Kai is Kaanapali's newest condominium development and one of the most desirable vacation destinations in West Maui.  Built in three phases along Kekaa Beach on the North Side of Black Rock, the Honua Kai is comprised of three separate sections: Hokulani (2008), Konea (2009) and Luana Gardens (2018).   

The Hokulani and Konea towers feature 627 studio, one, two and three-bedroom condominium residences.  The 10 story buildings have central air conditioning, elevators and underground parking.  The new addition of Luana Gardens weaves in a more contemporary residential component, with 72 three-bedroom residences.  These low rise, two-story buildings feature private garages in three clusters, each

Masters at Kaanapali Hillside 501

Masters 501 is one of six unique one bedroom townhouse floor plans with a loft.  It sits in a private location on the property, and features an expansive lawn off the lanai and around the side, surrounded by lush landscaping.

About the Masters at Kaanapali Hillside:

The Masters at Kaanapali Hillside is a lovely, gated community surrounding the Royal Kaanapali golf course.  This low-density, residentially zoned community features low-rise, two-story buildings.  There are just 200 units in 35 buildings, situated on approximately 37.9 acres.  There are two separate pools, both with hot tubs, as well as two tennis court areas.

The Masters has several floor plans which range from one to three bedrooms (plans A,

KAPALUA MARKET UPDATE: Q1 2022

Kapalua Condominiums

Kapalua is home to several different condominium communities, with offerings ranging from one to four-bedroom condominiums.  The Kapalua Bay Villas, Kapalua Ironwoods, The Coconut Grove on Kapalua Bay, the Montage Residences Kapalua Bay and the Ritz-Carlton Kapalua Residences are all oceanfront properties nestled along the Kapalua Resort's spectacular shoreline.  The Kapalua Ridge Villas and Kapalua Golf Villas both are located on the Kapalua Bay Course with ocean and golf course views.

Key Figures for Kapalua Condo Sales in 2021 by Complex

At home in Paradise: Mahana 707

The Mahana is one of Kaanapali's best kept secrets. at the North end of Kaanapali, it's private, yet close to everything.  Meander along the beach path that extends along Kekaa Beach to Black Rock and the restaurants, resorts and shopping on Kaanapali Beach, with the iconic Duke's restaurant located next door.

The Mahana offers a rare oceanfront floorplan, where both the living room and bedroom are directly oceanfront, both enjoying access to the spacious lanai. Perfect for watching Maui's amazing sunsets and whale watching.

The coveted 7th floor location at the Mahana at Kaanapali provides a perfect vantage point--it's high enough above the beach to be private, yet not so high that you feel adrift. 

Maui Real Estate Market Overview and Buyer Statistics: 2021

Many Sellers want to know where buyers of Maui County real estate call home (in this case, their legal residence).  Historically, buyers originate largely from the state of Hawaii.  In total, there were just 55 sales to foreign nationals out of 3,044 in 2021, accounting for just 2% of the sales volume (number of sales) and 3% of the dollar volume ($).   Buyers from the US represented 98% of the sales volume and 97% of the dollar volume.

The majority of Maui's buyers are Hawaiian residents, representing 64% of the sales volume (number of sales) and 50% of the sales volume ($).  California runs second with 15% of the sales volume and 19% of the dollar volume ($).  Washington follows as a

Each year, the County of Maui sends out a notice of the assessed value of a property on March 15th.  This is the first step in determining the taxes that each property owner will owe for the upcoming fiscal year, that starts July 1, 2022 and ends June 30, 2023.  The next step is the county council will meet in June and establish the new rates for each land class.  Read More about the Maui County 2021-2022 Real Property Tax Rates

The Notice of Real Property Assessment-January 1, 2022 for real property taxes due July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023 are now available online.  These notices were mailed to property owners on 3/15/22.

The letters note that the assessed valuations were "derived using comparable sales that recorded up to June 30, 2021.  The