  AREA
Maui County consists of four islands. Maui is 728 square miles and has a population of 113,030 resident; Molokai is 260 square miles and has a population of 6,587; Lanai is 141 square miles with a population of 2,426; and Kahoolawe is 44.6 square miles and is uninhabited.
Baldwin Beach
MAP OF MAUI
CLIMATE
Maui County is blessed by warm air temperatures year-round and trade winds provide natural air conditioning keeping the summer months comfortable. Ocean temperatures range from 72-77 degrees F in the winter; and 77-81 degrees F in the summer. Maui's mountains and valleys create a variety of microclimates -- from rainforests to sunny beaches. Rainfall averages vary dramatically within these microclimates. The dry leeward side (where the resorts are located) averages approximately 12 inches per year; while the wettest spot is in the windward mountain area of over 100 inches per year.
 Powerful winter surf CULTURE
Part of the irresistible charm and beauty of the islands come from its unique blend of cultures. Guided only by stars, Marquesan voyagers established themselves in the Hawaiian Islands in about 1200AD. The Hawaiian people have preserved their culture and historical sites; and offer visitors and Mauians alike the opportunity to share in their traditions. Often called the "Melting Pot of the Pacific," we more closely resemble a stew. Many cultures (Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese, and more) keep their traditions alive, while blending harmoniously with each other to create a truly unique environment ... from malasadas to bon dances.
INDUSTRIES
Tourism is Maui County's primary business. With the development of resorts, related services, and activity businesses, Maui has been named by Conde' Nast travelers as the best island in the world for three consecutive years. Agriculture remains a prime industry with large sugar cane plantations and pineapple cultivation. Tropical flowers, fruits, and vegetables are also successfully marketed on the mainland and overseas. Major efforts have been made to diversify the economy, spearheaded by the development of the Maui Research and Technology Park. One of the world's largest super computers is in the Maui High Performance Computing Center (MHPCC) and has lead to the development of a growing number of high-tech companies using commercial time on the super computer.
GOVERNMENT
Wailuku is the County Seat. The government consists of an elected County Council with representation from Lanai, Molokai, and Maui; and the Mayor is the chief executive of the County.
 As the sun sets, the skies light up with color Check out these links for more information:
Maui Weather Today
Maui Calendar of Events
Maui Chamber of Commerce
Maui Island Guide
Maui Information
Maui Real Estate Market Trends
Maui Towns from Fred's Perspective: I was born on Maui and grew up on the beach in Kahului Harbor with El Toros, motor boats, surfboards with five of us kids and all the beach time in the world until leaving for prep school in the island of Hawaii. There we swam in an anchored swimming pool in a harbor constructed of 60 gallon drums, telephone poles, plywood and 2 by 4s amongst the jellyfish and lobsters. I left my senior year and swam at both Santa Clara High School and Stanford University where I graduated with a BA in economics. I even lifeguarded at Carpenteria, CA in summer 69. I spent a good part of my early real estate years traveling the beaches of the world surfing and my windsurfing later took me world wide to sail competitively. I have swam, dived, surfed or windsurfed all the beaches on Maui and many more around the world. So I am more familiar with the beaches than most.
The northern windy side is great for windsurfing, kitesurfing and surfing and the hip, young, hardbody, and international town of Paia is low key favorite with healthy folks and great schools nearby. It is fun to shop and eat in Paia and hang out and watch the movie spin with dreadlocks, surf dudes, hippies, and yogis sharing the former funky sugar cane town. It is more rainy on that side and I favor it as I am a surfer and windsurfer ( I show property with my equipment in my SUV )... There is also a very reasonable and private club, the Maui Country Club which is open for membership and has tennis, golf, pool, dining and parties for many north shore families.
The Haiku community beyond Paia is a mix of Yoga folks and beach goers that live in tropical paradise on generally larger 2 acre plus lots. It is the wettest area to live in but anything you plant grows fast and you never water so it is a jungle romance. It has many hidden tropical homes sometimes featuring streams and flowers galore.
Makawao is a mix of cowboys and locals with funky town. Pukalani faces west and has older subdivisions but nice views and is ok with shopping, golf and pool. Both of these towns are at about 1,000 feet.
Forget central Maui...too commercial... and more for the nine to fivers but Wailuku is pretty cool with older town and blanketed with new subdivisions. It goes shady at 3:30 pm as the sun disappears behind the Mountain and your views are towards sunrise and beaches are further away.
The beaches on the South and West sides of the island are favored by the tourist due to their gentle wave action and sunset views. I love Lahaina on the West side as it has the old town on the water but is now full of tourists and timeshares. Kaanapali has best swimming beaches as tradewinds blow offshore making smooth water all day predominantly. Kapalua is high class with very high end condos and homes with gorgeous golf but gets the wetter trade wind weather. A little to much plastic for me and visually awesome.There is basically one road which connects this area to Lahaina. It is facing west with several island and sunset views.
Kihei on the SW coast is busy and had the biggest growth over the past 30 years. They have good beaches near the south side next to Wailea which has taken the highest marks for a destination. The groomed drives, gorgeous beaches and nice developments are some of the nicest around. Wailea is a million and up generally. You face west along this shore and it has islands and sunset views.
The very East side of Maui may be some of the most gorgeous tropical splendor with waterfalls, tropical flowers, gorgeous ravines and waterfalls onto the narrow winding roads over one lane bridges. It is a one of a kind place for the reclusive, nature lovers and the most remote and quiet side of the island. It is a must to drive the 2 hour road and absorb this incredible beauty.
Kula is where I live sandwiched between a 5 acre organic farm and a regular 30 acre farm with surround sound views. It is about 10 degrees cooler than downcountry and doesn't get the bugs and the wind so much... No mosquitos, no centipedes, and lots of farming. We feel much peace and quiet and we call it God's country. I am sure there may be a better day somewhere else, but Maui is still no ka oi on a year round comparison.
 Request my Free Maui - Upcountry and Haiku Relocation Package. It's packed full of useful and important information about the Maui - Upcountry and Haiku, Hawaii area. Don't move here without it! Remember: I'll send it to you for free and without obligation. Just fill out the form and I will send it right out...
 |
Financing Your Home >When Interest Rates Rise
Many people fall out of the home buying market when interest rates start to go up. This is often a mistake. Many of the best mortgages deals become available when lenders are competing for new business and sellers are competing within a smaller buyer pool. You just have to know how to keep the costs down in order to counter the higher interest rates.
One of the best tricks is the buy-down. In a buy-down, a fee is paid at the closing to get a lower interest rate. In a soft market, an anxious seller may be lured into to paying all or part of the buy-down. Another approach is to get the seller to pay some of closing costs, thus lowering the amount of cash a buyer needs to close. Frequently the seller's costs can be used as a write-off by the buyer. Always consult with your tax advisor if you are considering such an arrangement.
If the market is softening due to rising or higher rates, the price itself becomes an area where a buyer may be able to save a lot of money on a house through skillful negotiating. Lower prices mean lower loan amounts, so don't be discouraged by higher rates--use them to your advantage.
|
|
| Q |
From 1974 to 1996, what was the world's tallest habitable building?
|
| A |
The Sears Towers, headquarters for Sears, Roebuck & Co., with 110 stories and 1,454 feet high. |
 See More Real Estate Trivia > |
|
|
>
|
- NUMBER1EXPERT™ 
