Local legend says that two fierce cloud warriors clashed in a time long forgotten; and when the two had battled to a stalemate and eventually separated, the area known as Kihei, Hawaii, and the sky above it, known as Alanui o Lani (the Highway to Heaven), were all that was left behind.
After first only being inhabited by fishermen, Kihei eventually grew from an area where you could barely give away beachfront property to a place, which hasn't even been incorporated as a town or city, where thousands of tourists visit every single year. Even without considering tourists, however, Kihei grew by nearly 25% between 2000 and 2010, and there's not many areas in America that can lay claim to that type of growth.
Moving to Kihei
During their search for apartments, many people look at Kihei online and see that its crime rate is higher than Hawaii's in general. But even this needs to be put into context, because Hawaii's crime rate is excessively lower than the average for the American mainland. Even living in Kihei, you're still much less likely to become a victim of a crime than in most of America. But we digress. It's Hawaii, and you want to grab your own little slice of paradise.
There's nothing to worry about in terms of timing, so you can honestly start looking whenever you wish. Whether you're looking at apartments or townhouses for rent, they're plentiful around Kihei. Add this to the fact that over a third of the area's residents are renters, and you're going to fit right into this awesome island.
You'd probably do well to move here at any time, although summer is the tourism season and that's when it's busiest. But if you find one of the great all bills paid apartments in Kihei, take the plunge as soon as you can find it -- tourists, schmourists!
What should you bring with you? Come on, this is Hawaii! You're going to want to have the best shot possible at living here. That means former landlord references. It means a printed out credit check. Heck, bring along a few personal references from former neighbors if you think it'll help. Whatever you can do to swing an apartment in this beach-side town ... do it.
Kihei Neighborhoods
A large portion of Kihei is just terrain, but there are still a few separate places you could call home in the area. Start looking around, but be warned, each place is probably going to draw you for certain reasons. Now is the time to be really decisive, and let's face it: there's no bad place to live in Hawaii!
Town Center: The northwestern area of this locale is known as town center, but in reality, it's just a few shops and a bunch of resorts. Maalaea Surf Resort is here, or you could just head over to Kealia Pond National Wildlife Refuge to get a little nature.
South Kihei Road: This area is packed with awesomeness. From Kalepolepo Beach Park to Kihei Center, which is surrounded by some tasty restaurants, you'll have everything you need here.
Keawakapu: If you're interested in reading, this is where Kihei's library is. What could be better than enjoying a book while sitting on the beach? Sounds like heaven to us.
Eastern: Those living to the east of Piilani Highway are in a packed residential area, but pet lovers will have access to the South Shore Veterinary clinic. Also, Hale Piilani Park is nearby.
Living in Kihei
All of the neighborhoods have great benefits to them, but all of Kihei is simply amazing. Does it ever get boring to go to the beach everyday? Maybe not, but it rains sometimes and that's when you need to look at changing out of your swim trunks and heading into town.
If you want to really have some fun, check out the kitschy Aloha Shirt Museum. If history is more your style, you won't want to miss the Maui Historical History.
If you're up for a movie night, you have choices, too. Some people drive the 15 minutes to the Maui Mall Megaplex, but the Kukui Mall 4 Theater is close by and that can save some gas.
In case you start getting cabin fever in that 1 bedroom apartment for rent you chose, or just want a great place to send your out-of-town guests, you can't go wrong in the land of a million resorts. Check out the Kealia Resort, the Hale Pau Hana Resort, the Four Seasons or the Maui Sunset. Need we go on? This is paradise -- get out there and enjoy it!
