Maui Hot Spot: Maui Lani Village Center

Mixed-used project secures strong sales as more companies invest

(January 14, 2011) - Despite 2010's economic stagnation, one commercial hot spot in Central Maui has been successfully attracting a diverse range of businesses, thanks to the project's ideal location at the nexus of Wailuku and Kahului. Among the latest buyers in the Maui Lani Village Center: Walgreens, Oceanic Time Warner Cable, Ace Hardware, and a 76 Gas station.

"The Village Center offers significant flexibility in terms of commercial uses, is readily accessible through new regional roadways, and its lots are build-ready, so companies can move forward without having to put in all of the infrastructure themselves," said Grant Howe, principal broker of Commercial Properties of Maui, a co-listor of the project with CB Richard Ellis in Honolulu. "The businesses investing in the project represent a broad range of uses including light industrial, office space, retail, financial, medical and live-work."

Warehouse/Distribution

Paradise Beverages, Oceanic Time Warner Cable, Group Builders, GP Roadway Solutions, Commercial Plumbing and Menehune Water are among the companies building new warehouse and distribution facilities at the Village Center.

Paradise Beverages was among the first to break ground, on a 100,000 s.f. distribution center that will more than double the company's current space. "Maui Lani Village Center happened at the right time in a great location," said Gordon Usui, chief financial officer for Paradise Beverages. "We were looking for a while, but there were no industrial areas of this size available until this project came along. Its egress and ingress to Kahului, Lahaina, Kihei and Wailuku make it a great location."

Retail

Incoming retailers include Times Supermarket, Walgreens, Oceanic Time Warner Cable, 76 Gas, a local financial institution and a Maui icon, Marmac Ace Hardware.

Marmac's owner, Bill Marrs, views his future 12,000 s.f. store in the Village Center as an opportunity to bring his company's reputation for stellar customer service to a growing area of Central Maui.

"It's time to expand," Marrs said. "The (Village Center) is in a great location in the Wailuku area, which is very limited in terms of commercial (lots)." He noted the project's proximity to residential neighborhoods like Wailuku Heights, Waikapu and Maalaea, and new homes planned for Maui Lani and other nearby areas. "We'll bring the same type of customer service, same kinds of products to our new store. We can bring something good to the community."

Professional Row

In another section of the Village Center is Professional Row - turnkey commercial buildings architecturally designed for professional and medical offices with a residential feel. At the gateway to this area will be the Retina Institute of Hawaii's new Maui facility. A recipient of the Governor's Innovation Award, the institute specializes in state-of-the-art retina treatment and cares for patients throughout the state.

"The Retina Institute of Hawaii and Center for Sight Maui are excited about the new facilities at the Maui Lani Village Center," said Dr. Michael Bennett, founder and president. "The new Center for Sight location will be a state-of-art facility with advanced diagnostic technology and staffed with fellowship-trained ophthalmologists located on the Valley Isle with weekly visits by retina subspecialists and surgeons. We care about providing the residents of Maui the best medical care available with a team of trained professionals."

For more information, contact Commercial Properties of Maui at 808-244-2200 or CB Richard Ellis in Honolulu at 808-541-5172.