Maui's Hotel Zoned Condominiums

On May 3, 2024, the Mayor of Maui County announced that he intends to submit a bill to the Planning Commission and the Maui County Council to phase out short-term rentals in the Apartment Zones. 

Per the County of Maui's website: "the bill would phase out and repeal decades-old transient vacation rentals (TVRs) operating in the Apartment District, also known as the Minatoya list TVRs. These TVRs – numbering 7,000 units (2,200 of which are in West Maui) – would phase out West Maui units by July 1, 2025, and all other units countywide by Jan. 1, 2026, with the bill’s approval."

Given this announcement, many prospective buyers who are looking for a property that can be used part-time and rented when they are not in

MAUI VACATION RENTAL (TRANSIENT ACCOMMODATIONS) & SHORT TERM RENTAL UPDATE: MAY 2024

Maui, like many places around the US that are popular vacation destinations, has grappled with affordable housing and workforce housing for decades. The wildfire that swept through Lahaina town on August 8, 2023 has highlighted the critical need for affordable housing in Maui County.

Since the fire, the Hawaii State Legislature passed SB2919 on May 2, 2024.  It was signed into law by Governor Josh Green on May 4, 2024. 

Per the governor's website,  "By addressing the issue of illegal short-term rentals, SB 2919 aims to alleviate Hawaiʻi’s housing crisis and increase housing levels throughout the state. This bill provides counties with home rule authority to see

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

Where on Maui can you live like you're on vacation at a world-class luxury resort 365 days a year?  Well, it just so happens, Maui has 5 condominium communities in the resorts of Kaanapali, Kapalua and Wailea that have received the recognition by Forbes or AAA as leaders in Luxury Lodging. 

These properties are desirable for many of Maui's second home Buyers who would like the amenities of a luxury hotel (hello, room service!).  For those who are looking for a part-time residence, they offer an added bonus: the ability to rent their residence through an on-site rental management program known for offering accommodations that are maintained to the exacting standards of a luxury brand.

The following Maui luxury condominium resorts have been

Homes and Short Term Vacation Rentals in Maui County

How can you tell if the vacation rental listing of a Home is a scam or a legal rental?

Updated 2.22.22

I often get calls from people planning their vacation here on Maui and considering a home instead of a condo or hotel. The calls sometimes come when it just seems too good to be true; at other times, it's after they've paid deposits and can't reach their contact; and some come after they google the address and see the home is listed for sale.  Unfortunately, in almost all of these cases, the property is not a legal vacation rental.  Photos are simply taken from websites and used in online ads in a rental scam. 

It breaks my heart to hear these stories--sometimes they call before they've

MAUI VACATION RENTAL (TRANSIENT ACCOMMODATIONS) FAQs

This post has been updated as of June, 2022:  Read the Updated Post on Maui Vacation Rentals and Short Term Rentals

As a realtor here on Maui, working primarily in resort areas, the most frequently asked questions I encounter are "can I vacation rent this property when I'm not using it?" and, if so, "can I manage the property myself on a website like VRBO or AirBnB?".  

The answer is, it depends. It isn't always straightforward, as there are several factors to consider that may govern the use of the property as a short term Transient Vacation Rental (TVR), including, but not limited to, state laws and statutes, Maui county zoning rules and regulations, and CC&R's (Declaration of Covenants,