Just Listed: Remodeled, Single-Level Makawao Home With Major Upgrades

Searching for a peaceful place to call home in Maui’s uniquely beautiful upcountry region? 54 Puaina Place (MLS #397977) in Makawao is a true gem among Maui homes for sale.

The Listing

This adorable, single-level home is situated on a private street just a short distance from charming Makawao. Its interior updates include new cabinets, counters, and appliances in the kitchen and new luxury vinyl plank flooring throughout.

The home boasts other major improvements like a new roof and new solar hot water system. Its new photovoltaic system features a Tesla Powerwall integrated battery system and electric car charger. New split-system air conditioning units have been installed in the master bedroom and living room, and new ceiling fans and closet systems have been installed in two of the bedrooms.

The fully fenced and gated yard at 54 Puaina Place is perfect for kids and pets. Complete with fragrant plumeria trees, it also has a new deck under the pergola and sits adjacent to picturesque pasturelands. Rounding out the home’s list of amenities, a large two-car garage offers plenty of storage and laundry space.

The Area

Maui’s largest upcountry town, Makawao consists of 3.5 scenic square miles on the northwest slopes of the Haleakalā volcano. Because it’s been home to cattle wrangling since the 1830s, it’s maintained an identity as a paniolo (Hawaiian cowboy) town, with hitching posts still in place today on its two main streets. During the mid-19th century, it also experienced growth with the establishment of sugar plantations in the region.

Today’s Makawao remains rustic and stoplight-free, surrounded by ranches and agricultural land where rich soil has produced staple crops like `uala (sweet potato) and kalo (taro) for generations. Rows of quaint, old-fashioned storefronts now house a general store and a variety of restaurants, along with quirky shops, boutiques, and art galleries.

Makawao’s best-known business, Komoda Store and Bakery, has supplied its heavenly cream puffs and malasadas to the local community since 1916. More recent additions have included a fun brewery with a great view (Mahalo Aleworks) and a vodka distillery (Pau Vodka) that gives tours and tastings. The Hui No`eau Visual Arts Center has helped the town evolve into a gathering place for Maui’s artists and art lovers, sharing exhibitions, local-made gifts, and classes in drawing, painting, photography, ceramics, and jewelry making.

For hikers and mountain bikers, the 2,000-acre Makawao Forest Reserve provides seven trails of varying levels of difficulty in a cool, tranquil environment. Every April through June, Makawao residents and visitors also have a chance to tailgate and spectate at Maui Polo Club’s matches at the Manduke Baldwin Polo Arena. And every July 4 for 50 years, the local community has an opportunity to enjoy a parade and the calf roping, bull riding, and barrel racing events at the Makawao Rodeo.

Want to Know More?

If you’d like to know more about this small town that’s big on personality, contact me today! I’d love to chat about the lovely upcountry area, this special listing, or Maui real estate in general.

Leslie Mackenzie Smith, REALTOR(S), RS-42147