As South Shore Maui real estate specialists, we like to keep track of all the latest developments, and there are some exciting changes coming up for our beautiful slice of paradise. One involves a new hotel in the Wailea resort area, and another involves improvements to Ma’alaea harbor.

First of all, the hotel is in the planning stages, by California developer R.D. Olson Development. It will be a Marriott hotel, involving 200 rooms, and it will be more affordable than the other luxury properties in the area. The hotel will stand between three and four stories, made up of about 180,000 square feet.

The Maui Planning Commission unanimously approved the plan, which should create about 260 construction jobs during the 18-month building process. The hotel will also create 52 permanent jobs. It will occupy six acres of South Maui property owned by Alexander & Baldwin Inc. on Wailea Ike Drive, next to the Wailea Town Center.

As for the Maalaea small boat harbor, the Hawaii Legislature is currently considering legislation that could bring in about $4 million for improvements. If you are interested, follow Senate Bill 3077. The improvements include replacing the wooden finger piers along the south mole of the harbor, and the replacement of the current piers and steel piles with new aluminum-framed piers and new composite plastic fingering.

The amount won’t be settled on until further discussion. The health of the harbor is important because it’s the highest-grossing harbor on Maui, having earned $960,000 in revenues during the fiscal year of 2013, and it is also the third highest-grossing harbor in all of Hawaii.

We’re looking forward to keeping an eye on future South Maui developments, and will be sure to let our readers know about whatever we find in the news that’s interesting. If you need assistance with your real estate search, you’ll find our contact information at the bottom of the page. Mahalo for reading this week!

RealEstateMauiHawaii.com – By Mark Harbison