For those looking for a tropical residence, Hawaii offers advantages over non-US options, with stable systems of government and property ownership, high standards of medical care, and currency considerations.
I have long favored Maui, not just because this is where I was born. I've always appreciated it's diverse geography--in just one day, you can see in the rainforest of Hana, or the desert of Makena, the green pastures of Ulupalakua and the Upcountry areas, visit a small seaside town like Pai'a, or the vast crater of Haleakala. We have an abundance of shops and restaurants, without the big city stressors of Honolulu, and of course, we have some of the best beaches and golf courses in the world.
Many people come to Maui looking for a second home or primary residence, and there are a variety of communities to choose from. Recently, the question was posed, "Why Kapalua?"
Kapalua is a unique resort community. Just one developer, the Kapalua Land Company (owned by Maui Land and Pineapple) has guided it's development. As such, as an owner here, you are truly part of an integrated recreational community. Everything that is built and remodeled follows the design guidelines of the Kapalua Resort Association, which lends itself toward low-density, visually low-impact buildings throughout the 23,000 acres that we call home.
Here are some defining characteristics of the Kapalua Resort:
- The Kapalua Resort is 23,000 acres, with only 11% to be developed. The rest of this vast acreage is open space, agriculture, and nature preserves.
- The resort stretches from Mauka (upland, or to the Mountains) to Makai (oceanside).
- Both Kapalua Bay and D. T. Flemming (Stables) Beach have been awarded "America's Best Beach" by Dr. Beach.
- Kapalua is host to two major golf tournaments: the Mercedes-Benz Championship played each January at the Plantation Course and the Kapalua LPGA Classic, which will take place this October, 2008 at the Bay Course. These tournaments have helped to raise nearly $3,000,000 for Kapalua Maui Charities, which support members of our local community.
- The Kapalua Resort hosts annual national events, such as the Kapalua Wine and Food Festival, and the Billabong Pro-Maui Women's surf contest.
- Kapalua Resort is remote, but not removed. We are just a short drive to Lahaina and Kaanapali.
- Owners in Kapalua may join the Kapalua Club, which provides an array of activities for owners to get to know each other and the community they call home.
- The Kapalua Resort is undergoing a $500 million transformation that has included the renovation of the flagship Ritz-Carlton Kapalua, the building of the Ritz-Carlton Residences, Kapalua Bay, the renovation of the Honolua Store, the opening of Merriman's Kapalua, the new Kapalua Spa, an extensive oceanfront and mountainside trail system, a new Mountain Adventure Center, and Signature Experiences.
- The Kapalua Resort is committed to it's Sense of Place and the preservation of our culture and natural resources. We are home to the Pu'u Kukui Watershed Preserve, dedicated as a perpetual easement to the Nature Conservancy. At 8300 acres, this is the largest private preserve in Hawaii, and is home to many rare native species of plants and animals.
- Kapalua Farms and the Farmers market has brought organic produce to our small community and our local restaurants.
- The Kapalua Resort has a variety of real estate options, neighborhoods, and price points.
The Kapalua Resort is so much more than a vacation destination. For those of us who are lucky enough to live and work here, it is a place unlike no other. The Kapalua Resort combines all of these essential elements into one community: history, culture, natural beauty, and a commitment to preservation.
