Diane's Vacation Rental, Unit #117 at Kanai A Nalu. My description is long. A Maui vacation is a big expense. I've added lots of photos to help with your decision. To enlarge, click them. I describe the benefits of our condo that sleeps up to 6 guests + a baby in the crib.

My direct, ocean front condo is 15 minutes from the airport, 10 minutes to Kihei, 20 minutes to Wailea and only 1/4 mile to the Maalaea Harbor for snorkeling, whale watching (STARTS NOV 1st - Apr 15th), or dinner cruises. At the harbor are restaurants, shops, the Pacific Whale Foundation and Maui's #1 attraction, the Maui Ocean Center.

The photo of our complex with the wide beach, was taken some years ago. Kanai A Nalu is rated #1 in Maalaea. On over two acres of ocean/beach-front tropical grounds, all on a quiet cul-de-sac with stainless steel BBQ's, a solar heated pool, a shower and a pool-side eating area.

During whale watching season you can see them out in Maalaea Bay from the ocean front lanai. It's an unforgettable experience. For guests who dislike swimming in the ocean, we have a solar heated pool. In winter, Maui gets Kona storms, with large waves. Our beach in front becomes rocky. Normally by spring the sand returns. As of June of 2023, our beach out front was still rocky with higher than normal surf, from the rise in sea level.

You can still enjoy the top rated "Sugar Beach". It is sandy (all year around). It starts right next door, just past our seawall. To get to this lovely beach, our guests can enter through the complex next door, past their pool or, if the sand is high, between our seawalls. See photos with the blue arrows.

Guests can also take a five-minute stroll via the sidewalk behind our complex, or a 10 second drive. It ends at Haycraft Park. There are parking spots, picnic tables, toilets and showers. It opens directly onto Sugar Beach. The beach runs parallel to a protected wildlife refuge. No development is allowed, along this 4 mile long beach. It's the longest beach on Maui. The area is a habitat for Green Sea Turtles. Enjoy snorkeling there, and see the turtles (it's illegal to touch or harass them). On a morning walk you may only see a few locals. Be aware that the winds pick up in the afternoon.

Most people picture in their minds their “Dream” vacation, directly on the beach, with magnificent sunrises and romantic sunsets. My 1,050 sq. ft. condo, #117, at Kanai A Nalu could fulfill that dream. Owned since 2005, it's very personal to me. I've tried to make it the perfect Maui retreat for my guests and my family (3 grown children, plus 7 grandchildren).

When you walk in and see the view of the ocean from the living room of Diane's Vacation Rental, you will be delighted. When you go outside, the spectacular views will take your breath away. Every morning, relax on the lanai watching the sun come up over Haleakala and turtles popping up in the waves, right in front.

Diane's Vacation Rental has ONE of ONLY three, rare, double lanais at the complex. My unit has the only double, CORNER lanai. As such, the lanai offers amazing 180 DEGREE VIEWS of Maui's entire south coast and is only 15 steps from the shore. There are 2 tables (1 Lg./1 Sm.), 8 chairs and seating for 6. With less guests, they can spread out. OTHER LANAI'S ONLY SEAT FOUR AND ARE ENCLOSED BY SIDE WALLS. See them in the photos. A prior owner in a wheelchair was allowed to make this oversized, corner lanai. Level with the lawn, he could roll out overlooking the shore. The condo has wide doorways and is wheelchair accessible, but it is not ADA compliant.

Because we're on a corner, there's no neighbors on one side. With more windows, it's brighter inside. There are views of the shore from the main bedroom's front and side windows. Our corner condo is not like an interior unit that is sandwiched between two walls. They only have one window in their main bedroom. Their 2nd bedroom's window opens to the back, facing a walkway, or parking lot. Strangers can look in. The window in our 2nd bedroom faces the pool.

OUR CONDO HAS REMOTE CONTROLLED, CENTRAL AIR in the living room/dining area, main bedroom and 2nd bedroom. Each unit can be adjusted separately. With built in dehumidifiers, they remove moisture from the air. In summer Maui gets into the 90's, with the humidity at 80%. CENTRAL A/C is a MUST, a built-in dehumidifier is even better. We also have 6 cooling, ceiling fans. Some units with central air, only install it in the living room and main bedroom, ignoring the back bedroom.

Many condos only have a small air conditioning unit in an opening off the lanai, in the living room. On a 2 or 4-hour timer, every couple of hours you have to turn it back on. Their main bedroom is warm, their back bedroom is hot. A few condos have no air conditioning and offer highly discounted rates.

We have (driftwood look) porcelain tile floors in the living room, dining room and main bedroom. I'm constantly adding items to enhance my guest's enjoyment. I was at the condo in 2023 doing more upgrades. I added three, Roku Smart TV’s (for Netflix, Prime Video and more). We also have three DVD/Blu-ray players. Bring your children's favorite movies, or I have provided many to choose from. I removed older furniture in the living room for lovely, new pieces.

There is fast, secure Wi-Fi and a printer. We have games, books, movies (all ages), ice chests, snorkel gear, fishing gear, beach towels and sand chairs. Breakable Styrofoam boogie boards are banned as they damage the reefs. We have two "legal" body boards. Others can be rented at the harbor, at Boss Frogs.

FOR CHILDREN WE HAVE: A stroller, high chair, a Pac n Play, 3/4 size crib (with mattress & sheets), a booster seat, eating utensils/dishes for toddlers, a baby gate, sand toys, coloring books/crayons & puzzles. I have seven grandchildren, so kids are welcome.

There are two coffee makers, 1 for K-cups, and 1 for grounds, a deluxe 4-slice toast/bagel toaster, a 72 oz. Ninja blender (for smoothies) and new silverware. There's a digital washer and dryer, dishwasher, microwave, glass top stove, side-by-side fridge with ice maker, filtered water, a vacuum, iron & ironing board. We have a toaster oven, dishes, pots, pans, wine glasses and more. Hopefully I've provided, whatever you might need for your vacation.

Our condo has a "relaxed" island feel with bamboo and rattan furnishings. Many families rent our condo. Most of our guests like it, but those that expect it to look like a hi-end hotel room, could be disappointed. Some of the furnishings are new and other pieces are not, but in great shape. If you prefer a modern look, there are completely remodeled units that charge much higher rates, and are not even direct ocean front. Be aware that 25% of the condos at Kanai A Nalu have a "No Refund" policy, even if you cancel months in advance.

In the main bedroom is a "Sleep Number's" King. Each side can be adjusted to your desired firmness or softness. We added a new pump and digital remotes (making it more responsive). Some condo's main bedrooms are open to the living room with thin folding or sliding walls, offering no insulation from the noise of others. Our main bedroom‘s solid walls and locking door offers privacy and a quiet retreat.

The 2nd Bedroom has twins that can be converted to a king. Both bedrooms have central air, ceiling fans, Smart TV’s, DVD/Blu-ray players, views of the ocean, grounds and the pool. In the living room is a Queen Sleeper sofa with a comfortable memory foam mattress. The condo sleeps six guests plus a baby in our 3/4 size crib.

The main bath has an oversized, (wheelchair accessible) walk-in/roll-in shower, with both a hand held and a wall mounted shower head. There are new towels (2023) and rugs. The 2nd bathroom has a full-size tub with a hand-held shower head above, ceiling fans, makeup mirrors and wall mounted hair dryers.

Our condo is only steps from a free parking spot and the pool. Being a ground floor unit, you don't have to carry luggage upstairs or to the back of the complex for the elevators. The other 7 complexes down the street, towards the harbor, are on a reef. Two are next to the busy Harbor, with the sound of boat engines and exhaust fumes. Many have distant parking lots where you have to carry your bags a long ways. Many do not have air, and half have coin $$ operated laundry rooms. That can be a pain if you have to do laundry often. Our unit has a state-of-the-art FULL-SIZED digital washing machine (takes pods, liquid or powder) and FULL-SIZED digital dryer. We provide dish & laundry soaps, and extra paper towels & T.P.

I have tried to keep our rates reasonable, even with our ocean front condo having amenities other units don't, such as: Seating for six on a rare double-sized, corner lanai, being only 15 steps from the shore and 180 degree views. We also have cooling central air throughout, 3 Roku Smart TV's, 3 DVD/Blu-ray players, an adjustable Sleep Number's King, children and toddler items, and updated appliances.

THE DEVASATING FIRE THAT DESTROYED LAHAINA WAS IN "WEST" MAUI ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ISLAND. WE ARE BLESSED THAT THE FIRE DID NOT AFFECT OUR SIDE OF THE ISLAND.

MAUI DESPERATELY NEEDS TOURIST'S DOLLARS TO SUPPORT THE ISLAND'S ECONOMY. THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY'S WORKERS, VACATION RENTAL EMPLOYEES, RESTAURANTS AND SHOPS ARE TRYING TO SURVIVE.

ON OUR SIDE, YOU CAN VISIT THE IAO VALLEY (THINK JURASSIC PARK), PAIA (1800'S HIPPY TOWN), GET A FAST RESERVATION AT MA MA'S FISH HOUSE. ENJOY KIHEI, THE ROAD TO HANA, BLACK SAND BEACHES, THE UPSCALE SHOPS AT WAILEA, LU'AUS (WAILEA & KIHEI). AT MAALAEA HARBOR, GO ON A SNORKELING OR WHALE WATCHING CRUISE. OR, VISIT SHOPS, RESTAURANTS, THE PACIFIC WHALE FOUNDATION AND THE MAUI OCEAN CENTER. VISIT UP COUNTRY: MAKAWAO (1900's TOWN) ART GALLERIES, SHOPS, WINE TASTING, ZIP LINING OR HALEAKLA.