The Future of Wailea: What’s Coming Next for Maui’s Premier Luxury Market

Wailea has always been one of the most controlled and intentional real estate markets in Hawaii.

It’s not a place where development happens quickly—or casually. Every project tends to be debated, refined, and reshaped over years, sometimes decades. And that’s exactly why Wailea has held its position at the top of Maui’s luxury market for so long.

But right now, there’s a noticeable shift happening.

There are several key projects—some moving forward, some still evolving—that will shape what Wailea looks like over the next 5 to 10 years. And if you’re buying, selling, or investing here, understanding that trajectory matters.

Grand Wailea Expansion: A Rare Increase in Resort Density

One of the most significant recent developments is the expansion of Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort.

After years of delays, hearings, and pushback, the Maui Planning Commission has conditionally approved a major expansion of the resort. Read more about that decision here.

The current plan includes:

• Approximately 137–151 new guest rooms
• Expanded pool, dining, and amenity areas
• Additional parking and infrastructure improvements
• Over 30 conditions tied to water usage, cultural preservation, and environmental oversight

This is important for a few reasons.

First, large-scale hotel expansion in Wailea is extremely rare. The area is largely built out, and entitlement alone can take years—this project has been in process for nearly a decade.

Second, it reinforces Wailea’s positioning at the very top of the luxury hospitality market. The resort is already one of Maui’s largest economic anchors, and this expansion is less about adding inventory and more about modernizing and competing globally at the highest level.

And third, it signals something broader:
Even in a highly constrained market, capital is still flowing into Wailea at the highest end.

Ledcor and the Remaining Buildable Land in Wailea

One of the more under-the-radar but important pieces of the puzzle is what’s happening with land ownership.

Ledcor currently controls a number of remaining development parcels in Wailea, often referred to as “infill” sites—some of the last buildable land within the master-planned community. Those parcels are highlighted with stars in the photo above.

As of 2025–2026, Ledcor has completed environmental review work and is actively planning for future residential development, including:

• Low-density residential communities
• Workforce housing components
• Sustainability-focused design (including LEED-oriented planning)

This is one of the most important long-term storylines in Wailea.

Because once these parcels are developed, there is effectively no meaningful land left to build on within Wailea proper.

And based on everything we’ve seen so far—Laʻi Loa, Makaliʻi, and other recent projects—the likely direction is clear:

Fewer units. Higher price points. Strong design identity. And a continued shift toward primary and second-home ownership rather than rental-driven product.

Honuaʻula (Wailea 670): The Long-Term Wild Card

If there’s one project that has defined the conversation around growth in South Maui, it’s Honuaʻula—formerly known as Wailea 670.

This is not a typical Wailea project.

It’s a 670-acre master-planned community located mauka of the resort, and it’s been in discussion for decades. What makes it unique is both its scale and its intent.

After years of delays, Maui County Council approved key components of the project in 2025, allowing it to move forward with:

• Approximately 1,150 residential units
• Around 288 workforce housing units
• Over 160 acres preserved as open space

But that approval came with significant controversy—and the project is still not fully realized.

There are ongoing concerns around:

• Affordable housing commitments
• Cultural and environmental preservation
• Infrastructure impacts, particularly traffic and water

And importantly, no construction has begun yet, with additional legal, planning, and implementation hurdles still in play.

From a market perspective, Honuaʻula represents something different.

It’s not competing with Wailea’s ultra-luxury segment—it’s aimed at creating a broader residential base in South Maui, including workforce housing and more attainable ownership opportunities.

If and when it fully materializes, it could meaningfully impact:

• Local housing supply
• Workforce housing availability
• Long-term infrastructure in South Maui

But the timeline remains uncertain. Read the latest here.

What This All Means for Wailea Real Estate

When you step back and look at these three pieces together—the Grand Wailea expansion, Ledcor’s remaining land, and Honuaʻula—you start to see the full picture.

Wailea itself is not expanding outward in a meaningful way.

It’s refining.

The resort core will continue to be upgraded and repositioned at the highest end. Remaining residential development will be limited, intentional, and increasingly expensive. And any large-scale growth will likely happen outside the traditional Wailea footprint, in areas like Honuaʻula.

That creates a very specific dynamic:

• True Wailea inventory remains constrained
• New product continues to push price ceilings higher
• Future supply is limited and controlled

This is exactly how mature luxury markets behave.

The Reality: Wailea Is Moving Further Upmarket

There’s a clear trend here.

Wailea is not becoming more accessible—it’s becoming more exclusive.

Between limited land, high barriers to development, and continued reinvestment into the resort experience, the trajectory is toward:

• Lower density
• Higher quality
• Stronger global positioning

And that has direct implications for both buyers and long-term value.

Thinking About Buying in Wailea?

If you’re looking at Wailea, it’s not just about what’s available today.

It’s about understanding what’s coming—and just as importantly, what’s not.

Because in a market this constrained, future development plays a direct role in pricing, scarcity, and long-term positioning.

If you want to take a more strategic look at Wailea and how these changes impact your buying or selling decisions, I’m happy to walk you through it. Send me an email at [email protected] or call me at (808) 344 4363, anytime.