Menehune Shores Condominium Complex, built in 1976 in a horse-shoe shape resembling the Royal Mauian for maximum ocean views for most units, is near the beginning of S. Kihei Road and is 6 floors. It consists of 154 condominium units ranging in size from 23 – 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 107 – 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, and 23 – 1 bedroom 1 bath and square footages of approx. 661 – 1,126 SF. The entire condo complex is on approx. 3.832 oceanfront acres. Many owners of Menehune Shores use their units as vacation rentable condos and there are also owner occupants as well.

4th Floor Side Unit View

Some of its great features include an onsite restaurant, a pool with a large sundeck at the oceanside, gas filled bar-b-ques, shuffleboard, and a fantastic rooftop area to enjoy 180 degrees Special Views including of the islands of Kahoolawe, Molokini & Lanai, and majestic Haleakala, (ctrl+click here): Menehune Shores Rooftop View

Many also enjoy walking the nearby 6 mile stretch of Sugar Beach heading towards Maalaea Bay and also visiting Kealia Pond along the way, one of the few remaining lowland wetlands which provides a vital nesting, feeding, and resting habitat for two endangered Hawaiian Waterbirds: the Hawaiian Stilt and the Hawaiian Coot.

Right next door is Kalepolepo Beach Park, the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary Visitor Center, and the Native Hawaiian Koie’ie Fish Pond.

Oftentimes, the tourist spots of Maui get all the attention, and some wonderful gems in location and rich history get missed. Such is Ko`ie`ie Loko I`a fishpond, more commonly referred to as Koie’ie. Kalepolepo means “the dirt” and one explanation is that in the mid-1800s this area was a bustling community of whalers trading goods that were grown on the slopes of Haleakala. The dust was created especially in the windy days from all the people kicking around the “dirt”.

There are reports that the walls that make the fishpond were built in the 1400s by the Menehunes, (ctrl+click here): Menehune. The mythology of the Menehunes is that they were superbly skilled craftsmen. They were supposedly short in stature but had great strength. The legend says that they would come out at dusk to build something in one night, if they did not finish it in one night, they would abandon it. Somehow it was rumored that they were somewhat ‘mischievous in character. So today, when we misplace something, you will find some say with lightheartedness, “oh, the Menehunes took it”.

From archeological studies, they determined that the Kaleplepo fishpond was built after AD 1488-1643. They were able to conclude this by pollen found in the coring samples. The rock wall encloses about 3 acres of the ocean with depth ranging from 3-5 ft on most days. The wall itself is about 1173 feet long. The width varies throughout. It is in this fish pond that fish were gathered for the Hawaiian monarchy. There are actually other fish ponds in this area but Kaleplepo is one of the most intact fishponds. Also due to the generosity and care of volunteers to honor and preserve this fishpond, we can enjoy it today. However, the preservation of this legendary place is an ongoing endeavor. You can read more about it mauifishpond.com. A special treat is watching the Honu (turtles) swim into the pond when the sun is setting and rest upon the rocks of the inside of the pond. (ctrl+click here): Koie’ie Fish Pond and Kalepolepo Beach Park

Many other great activities are nearby including shopping, restaurants, medical offices, golf, gyms, sports of tennis/basketball/skateboarding/beach volleyball at Kalama Park, and world class beaches.

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