Puamana in Lahaina: 12 Reasons Why it’s the Best Condo Complex in West Maui

This West Maui condominium community is one of the very best spots in all of the Hawaiian Islands, and I’m not just talking about sunsets and ocean views. I’m talking about the convenience factor.

Puamana Aerial

In a place where isolation and convenience is constantly a challenge, Puamana by far takes the cake above all other West Maui locations. A place so convenient that as long as you have groceries in the fridge, you really don’t even need to leave the neighborhood. And if you need groceries (or gas, or a restaurant, an ABC store, or any other amenity), you’re within minutes by car, foot, or bike. And if you MUST go to the other side of the island, you’re less than 30 minutes away.

It’s not one of those places that has a high rise tower, high density living, or a sprawling Estate up on the hill. Puamana has a real beach lovers aspect to it (it’s smack dab on it)…Built in 1968, it’s for people that love living near the water, playing in or near the water, and love the aspects of having it dominate the scene. A place where your beach cruiser gets nearly as many miles as your car does.

Located at the end of Lahaina, Puamana provides the very best in beach living mixed with privacy and activity

So in the spirit of keeping it simple, and factored by convenience, these are my reasons why Puamana is the very best place in West Maui to live, visit, stay, or play.

1) It’s Located on Front Street

Puamana is a gated beachfront community in Lahaina located on world-famous Front Street with real beaches including sand. At Puamana, beach means “sun and fun,” gated means “private,” and Front Street means “shopping and dining activity.” It’s the best 1-2 mile radius Maui can offer. Very private, yet very convenient. Puamana is literally a short walk or bikeride to Front Street and Lahaina town restaurants, shops, and activities, yet because of the gate and position between the ocean and Honoapiilani Hwy., it is very secluded.

2) It’s a Location within a Location

West is best and Puamana is the best in the West. Its location is superb! It’s situated at the southern most end of Front Street in Lahaina town. From here, cross island towns of Kahului, Kihei, or Wailuku are an easy 25-30 minute commute by car…

The northern west resort towns of Kaanapali and Kapalua are a 5-15 minute drive allowing maximum fun time and less drive time while you live, work, or play. I refer to Puamana as Central Maui because of its accessibility to other parts of th e island not found in other West Maui locations.

3) There’s Tons of Space Everywhere!

There’s 30 acres of activity and space. This is not a vertically inclined neighborhood. It’s big and spread out. I said 30 acres, right? The streets are lined with monkey pod and palm trees while mango, banana, and avocado trees adorn the landscape. If it’s not the beach you choose, other activities and amenities this 30 acre property offers include: 3 pools, tennis, badminton and bocce ball courts, a clubhouse, a playground, and tons of green space. Did I say it was 30 acres?

Secluded from Lahaina and Front Street, yet in the heart of it all

4) There are Surf Breaks with Your Name on Them

Yep…right there, right out front. Glassy, fun surf and a gate that keeps the crowds minimal, need I say more? Even though these breaks have specific names, most people just refer to them simply as Puamana.

Hot sands, or Beaches as it’s known, has a really fun right hand point break that lights up this Lahaina gold coast community in the summer time. Moderate waist-high to overhead, perfect, glassy waves peel their way to shore.

Pools, located directly in front of the oceanfront pool, is a peaky, A-frame wave that is fast and hollow at times. It gets up to a few feet overhead and breaks directly in front of the clubhouse and ocean pool, allowing spectators to get very close to the action.

For the person that doesn’t want to load boards up or get in the car and drive somewhere down the road, Puamana makes surfing, paddling, kayaking, fishing or almost any ocean activity very convenient and easy (spoiled to some degree). Here you can go from the couch to the lineup in less than 5 minutes, or from the lineup to the dinner table in less than 10. To be honest, this could easily be the #1 reason on this list.

5) Safety, Security, and Serenity

24-hour security patrols the grounds at Puamana each day. Situated on private property with a gate at the front and no public roads, speeding cars and pass through traffic are minimal.

6) Neighbors Live Side by Side, Not on Top of Each Other

With 60 low-rise buildings and only 4-5 units per building, these units live more like residences or townhouses. Because of its low-rise structure, the sounds of people running through the halls or stomps from the unit above, or the elevator door opening and closing, are not present.

Low rise side by side living and plenty of green space

7) The Outdoor Storage Factor

You don’t have to put the bike in your guest room, or the paddle board in the living room. You can store your stuff on the lanai and under assigned carports (in accordance with House Rules). Puamana got it right with allowing proper storage to hold surfboards, kayaks, paddle boards, and bikes, to name a few.

At most condominiums with parents or activity-minded people, the activities tend to dominate the landscape of the living space due to storage inability. However, not at Puamana; most units have proper storage to conveniently stow and take the clutter out of sight.

8) Grills Are Allowed on the Lanai

Watch the game, watch the kids, watch the surf, watch the sunset – all while cooking from your own private lanai and listening to your own music. No going to the common area or clubhouse. Cook on the lanai, eat on the lanai. It’s true indoor outdoor living.

9) There’s an Oceanfront Pool that Literally Sits in the Ocean

It’s considered the adult pool, so unfortunately the kids cannot enjoy it until they’re 14 years old. And they don’t allow cell phones, so don’t plan on making calls to the office. But when the surf is pumping, sea mist and actual sea life lands on the pool deck. This pool is very special and unique, and I’m not sure there is another on Maui like it. When you are sitting by the pool here at Puamana, you’re really sitting in the ocean.

You won’t find a pool like this one anywhere!

10) Parking – It’s Actually Near Your Property

No valets, reception areas to pass through, or long walks to deal with just to get to your property. You actually park very close to your unit. Most assigned car ports and guest areas are within steps of the front door, making loading and unloading very easy.

11) Bonus! They Allow Pets

If you’re a pet owner, you understand. Puamana allows one dog or cat per unit.

12) The Units Themselves are Awesome

They’re traditional beach bungalow style. There are concrete block walls separating each unit and you can completely remodel, or rebuild a property all the way from the slab up. Original Puamana condominium units range from 1-3 bedrooms. Each 1 bedroom has 2 bathrooms. Yes! I said 2 baths!

1 Bedroom units range from approximately 650-1,000 square feet. 2 bedroom, 2 bath units are typically 1,000-1,146 square feet and 3 and 4 bedroom, 2+bath are approximately 1,200-1,500+ square feet. Prices range from $590,000-$2M+. Short term vacation rentals are permitted at Puamana ranging from $150-$475+/night.

Puamana Gazebo