Section Image

Makawao

Makawao

Neighborhood in Hawaii

Maui County 96768

$1,270,619 Average Value
$1,162 Average Price per Sq Ft
11 Homes For Sale

Maui's hub for paniolo culture

Close to Maui’s refreshing rain belt, Makawao is a culturally unique community on the outer slopes of the Haleakala volcano. Its Old West-style downtown and long-running annual rodeo pay homage to the legacy of Hawaiian cowboys, or paniolo. Locals frequently ride horses down the town’s row of century-old false-front buildings, transporting Makawao back in time. “It’s off-the-beaten-path Upcountry living,” says Makawao-born Realtor Jordan Kamikawa of Hawaii Life Realty. She adds that it’s ideal “for those who love the beach but want to come home to a greener, cooler climate.” Fourteen-year resident Sam Zender says it’s a place where “everybody knows everybody. It has an ohana feeling.”

From galleries to donuts on a stick

Baldwin Avenue is Makawao’s main drag, lined with long-running, locally owned businesses. Residents visiting Baldwin Avenue can quickly run errands at stops like Rodeo General Store. “People can do basic grocery shopping there,” Zender says. “They also have a lot of prepared foods and a deli counter.” Across the street is Komoda Store and Bakery, which has operated since 1916. Going here for a cream puff or a kebab-like donut stick “was the best treat you could get as a kid growing up in Makawao,” Kamikawa says. “There’s always a line, and they’ve managed to make this stick of glazed donuts one of the most popular and unique treats on Maui.” Downtown Makawao is also home to multiple galleries where glass blowers, painters and other artists demonstrate their craft.

A three-day annual rodeo

Independence Day is a spectacle in Makawao. First, a parade down Baldwin Avenue features local paniolo astride their trusty steeds. They then head about 1 mile south of town to feature in the three-day Makawao Rodeo. It’s the only event of its kind on the island and has been a local tradition for over 50 years. “People come from all over Maui and fill the stadium risers at Oskie Rice Arena to watch roping and bull-riding in celebration of the surviving paniolo culture,” Kamikawa says. The rodeo often treats spectators to live music after hours of roping, riding and racing.

"If something comes up, it goes fast."

Nearly 8,000 people live in and around downtown Makawao, generally in single-family homes from the mid-to-late 1900s. While these tend to be significantly smaller than the typical U.S. abode, they’re worth more than double the average national property value. “It’s hard to get into,” Zender says of the local housing market. “Not a lot sells, though if something comes up, it goes fast.” Ranch-style and coastal contemporary homes are common in central Makawao. Custom homes and newer Craftsman builds appear farther from Baldwin Avenue. Price tags start at around $550,000 for two-bedroom 1940s ramblers needing extensive updates. The average homebuyer will spend just over $1 million, which could buy a three-bedroom 2021 Craftsman house. Meanwhile, four-bedroom custom builds on multiple acres typically cost $2 million and up.

Art classes, athletic fields and airy trails

Though Maui’s natural beauty surrounds Makawao, locals don’t need to venture out of town to enjoy the outdoors. Eddie Tam Memorial Center features a sprawling mass of outdoor athletic facilities for baseball, soccer, tennis and basketball. It’s anchored by an indoor gymnasium equipped for rainy-day basketball games. Two miles outside town, Makawao Forest Reserve features several miles of cool-aired trails winding beneath eucalyptus and pine trees. About 1 mile in the opposite direction, more creatively inclined locals can explore and grow their talents at Huo No’eau Visual Arts Center. Since 1934, this community organization has operated public studios with professional-grade equipment for budding and seasoned artists. It also hosts frequent lectures, workshops, exhibitions and other events.

Three public schools within 3 miles

Students in Makawao attend three public schools within 3 miles of Balwin Avenue. Makawao Elementary School operates just off the main drag, welcoming over 500 students from prekindergarten through fifth grade. It has a B-minus score from Niche, while the nearby Kalama Intermediate School has a C-plus. King Kekaulike High School, rated a B-plus, has a 50-acre campus at the feet of Haleakala. Its 1,167 students can participate in the Hawaiian Language Immersion Program, among other educational tracks.

More dining and retail in Kahului

Locals needing to conduct large grocery hauls or other errands often head west to Kahului. This seaside town is about 10 miles west, typically a 20-minute drive. Buses also take Makawao residents to Kahului, with rides lasting about 30 minutes.

John Battiston
Written By
John Battiston
Paul Peck
Photography Contributed By
Paul Peck
Bill Jennings
Video By
Bill Jennings

Agents Specializing in this Area

See All Agents

Schools

Source:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Chelsea Dimin, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Kahului

26 min drive

Bus

Makawao Ave. & Mahola St.

Bus

Makawao Ave. & Makani Rd.

Bus

Makawao Ave. & Alana Pl.

Bus

Makawao Public Library

Bus

Makawao Ave. & Poalima Pl.

Bus

Makawao Ave. & Koehana Pl.

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Makawao US
Homicide 2 4
Sexual Assault 2 4
Assault with Weapon 3 4
Robbery 2 4
Burglary 3 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 4 4
Larceny 3 4
Crime Score 3 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Demographics and Home Trends

Home Trends

Median Price (12 Mo)
$1,250,000
Median Single Family Price
$1,250,000
Median Townhouse Price
$1,675,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$1,162
Number of Homes for Sale
11
Last 12 months Home Sales
54
Months of Supply
2.40
Median List Price
$1,375,000
Median Discount From 1st List Price
0%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
16%

Home Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
1,836
Median Year Built
1981
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,484
Significantly below the national average
1,936
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
2,021
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
720
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
11,107

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Chelsea Dimin, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value




Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
7,191
Median Age
42
Population Density
1 person/acre
Population under 18
24%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
20.5%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$91,552
Above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$118,603

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
94.8%
Above the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
32.2%
On par with the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
12.2%
% Population in Labor Force
65.5%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
42''
Average Winter Low Temperature
43°F
Average Summer High Temperature
66°F
Annual Snowfall
0''

Area Factors

Car-Dependent

Walk Score®

0 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score

Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.

Nearby Neighborhoods

Reviews

Are you familiar with the Makawao neighborhood? to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Makawao