What Hawaii's most expensive home sale of the year looks like

The sale of a sprawling Maui estate has become Hawaii’s most expensive of the year, with a price tag of US$18.5 million ($24.6 million).

The island home, which had originally been listed for US$19.9 million ($26.5 million) and comes fully furnished, includes six private primary suites, and sits on a one-acre parcel in Wailea-Makena featuring unobstructed multi-island ocean views.

The residence last sold for US$8.5 million in 2014, according to property records.

The sale comes at a time of reports of real estate hot streak across the Hawaiian islands thanks to mainland buyers fleeing city life.

Described as “one of the most impressive properties on Maui” by the listing, the compound is designed as a series of three separate pavilions interconnected by covered lanais – in fact, there’s 279sqm of covered lanai to offer ultimate indoor-outdoor living.

The home is anchored by a central garden, its own cascading waterfall, a sunken cabana and infinity-edge pool and hot tub, all atop one of the most private enclaves in South Maui.

Yet while the property’s location and views are no doubt impressive, some areas of the interiors could use a refresh.

There is an expanded living/dining area, a private home theatre and a large gourmet kitchen, in addition to the six bedrooms and seven bathrooms found across the spread.

The home also includes a slew of unique features that never go out of style, such as Egyptian limestone flooring, custom mahogany windows, carved doors and a Balinese-style roof of ironwood diamond-cut shingles.

Featuring a pedestrian pathway to nearby beaches, this estate is located within luxury gated community, One Palauea Bay.

Selling agent Ryan MacLaughlin, owner and principal broker of Island Sotheby’s International Realty, said in a statement that Maui’s high-end sector has been in hot demand.

“Affluent, sophisticated buyers see the value that Maui has to offer and in the recovery period have come to embrace its lifestyle even more”.

For the full listing, click here.