Kahului, Hawaii Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

Overview: STR Status in Kahului

Short-term rentals ARE ALLOWED in Kahului, HI, but they operate under strict Maui County regulations rather than city-specific ordinances. Kahului falls under the Kahului-Wailuku Community Plan Region, which currently permits up to 6 Short-Term Rental Home (STRH) permits. However, investors must navigate a complex regulatory environment that includes permit requirements, community plan area caps, and proposed legislation (Bill 9) that could significantly impact future operations.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Kahului?

Kahului hosts earn a median $6,519/year with $211 ADR and 38% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $12,788+ per year.

See the full Kahului market breakdown

Starting a Short-Term Rental Business in Kahului

Step 1: Zoning Verification

Before proceeding, verify that your property is located in an area where STRs are permitted. Kahului properties fall within the Kahului-Wailuku Community Plan Region, which has specific limitations.

Step 2: Permit Acquisition Process

All STR operators in Kahului must obtain the appropriate permits through Maui County's official system:

Short-Term Rental Home (STRH) Permit - Required for properties outside hotel/apartment zones
Bed & Breakfast Permit - For smaller operations
Conditional Use Permit - May be required for certain zoning situations

Step 3: Application Timeline

Processing Time: 90-day review period
Annual Renewal: Required for continued operation
Timing: Begin applications well in advance, as permit caps exist

Required Documents, Permits, and Licenses

Mandatory Permits

STRH Application (form STRH)
Zoning & Flood Confirmation
Fire safety inspection certificates
Septic system compliance documentation (where applicable)

Documentation Requirements

Proof of property ownership or authorized management agreement
Designated manager information (must be available 24/7 and able to arrive within 1 hour)
Neighbor notification affidavits within 500-foot radius
Parking plan showing all parking must be onsite (no street parking)
Insurance documentation

Financial Obligations

Annual permit fees: $2,500-$5,000 (depending on property size)
State taxes: General Excise Tax (GET) and Transient Accommodations Tax (TAT)
Registration: Required with Hawaii Department of Taxation

Specific Regulations

Kahului-Wailuku Community Plan Region Limitations

Permit Cap: Maximum of 6 STRH permits in the region
Current Status: 5 permits approved (83% of cap as of October 2025)
Room Limits: Up to 6 total bedrooms distributed over maximum 2 licensed STRH dwellings

Operating Requirements

Manager Requirement: Designated manager must be available by telephone at all times and can arrive onsite within 1 hour
Parking: All parking must be onsite; no street parking permitted
Advertising: All advertisements must prominently display the STRH permit number
Occupancy Limits: Typically 2 guests per bedroom plus 2 additional guests

Tax Obligations

General Excise Tax (GET): Hawaii state tax
Transient Accommodations Tax (TAT): Additional state tax on accommodations
Registration: Required with Hawaii Department of Taxation
Filing: Quarterly tax filings for most operators

Critical Upcoming Changes - Bill 9

Proposed Legislation Impact

Bill 9 would phase out short-term vacation rentals in apartment-zoned areas, with potential implications for:

West Maui: STR operations must cease by 2028
Remaining Maui areas: Follow by 2030
Timeline: Bill advancing through council as of July 2025

Legal Challenges Expected

The proposed legislation faces significant legal challenges from property owners who argue it violates constitutional property rights, citing previous court rulings against similar measures in Honolulu.

Contact Information

Maui County Planning Department

Physical Address:
County of Maui
200 S. High St.
Kalana O Maui Bldg
Wailuku, HI 96793

Information Desk: 2nd floor lobby

Phone: (808) 270-7733
Website: mauicounty.gov

Hawaii Department of Taxation

Registration for GET and TAT:
Phone: (808) 587-4242
Website: tax.hawaii.gov

Maui County Council

Housing & Land Use Committee:
Email: HLU.committee@mauicounty.us
Phone: (808) 270-7838
Meeting Information: mauicounty.us/agendas

Links to Source Pages

Maui County STR Official Page: www.mauicounty.gov/1377/Short-Term-Rentals
Approved STRH Permits List: www.mauicounty.gov/DocumentCenter/View/14762/Approved-Short-Term-Rental-Homes-List?bidId=
Bill 9 Legislation: mauicounty.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=14263348&GUID=299EB014-1CF9-4CF7-8EB2-3367662C0592
Maui Council Meeting Agendas: mauicounty.us/agendas/
Maui County STRH Application: www.mauicounty.gov/1874/Short-Term-Rental-Home-STRH-Application

Investment Strategy Considerations

Given the regulatory environment, potential investors should:

Act Quickly: With only 6 permits available in the Kahului-Wailuku region and 5 already issued, remaining opportunities are extremely limited
Monitor Bill 9: Stay informed on legislative developments that could reshape the STR landscape
Consider Alternatives: Explore hotel-zoned properties or other Maui areas with different regulatory frameworks
Professional Guidance: Engage local legal counsel familiar with Hawaii vacation rental law
Financial Planning: Account for permit fees, taxes, and potential compliance costs

The current regulatory environment in Kahului presents both opportunities and significant challenges for STR investors, requiring careful navigation of county regulations and careful monitoring of evolving legislation.

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Ask the AI Advisor about Kahului

Kahului is the principal commercial and transportation hub of the island of Maui, located in Maui County, Hawaii. With a population of approximately 27,000 residents, the town has a working, locally rooted feel rather than the polished resort atmosphere found in some of the island's other communities. It is best known as the home of Kahului Airport, the main gateway to Maui for visitors arriving by air, and serves as a starting point for exploring the island's windward beaches, upcountry towns, and the road that circles Haleakala. Honolulu, the nearest major city on another island, lies roughly one hundred miles to the northwest across the Pailolo and Alalakeiki Channels, normally reached by a short flight rather than a drive.

Just a few miles west of Kahului lies Iao Valley State Park, a lush, steep-sided valley known for the needle-like Iao Needle, a green-covered volcanic spire that rises about 1,200 feet from the valley floor. The park, with its walking paths and botanical gardens, is about a ten-minute drive from central Kahului and is one of the most visited natural sites on the island's wetter side. Higher up the slopes of Haleakala, the town also serves as a convenient launching point for Haleakala National Park (Haleakala National Park), the vast volcanic landscape that dominates the island. Visitors driving from Kahului can reach the summit area in roughly an hour and a half, with the journey passing through the upcountry communities of Kula and Pukalani and offering increasingly dramatic views of the crater below.

To the east, Kahului sits at the inland end of the famous Road to Hana, a roughly 65-mile route that winds along Maui's northeastern coast past waterfalls, black-sand beaches, bamboo forests, and small plantation-era towns. Travelers can begin the drive from Kahului in about twenty minutes and spend a full day exploring the stops along the way before looping back via the southern coast. Closer to town, Kanaha Beach Park draws windsurfers, kitesurfers, and stand-up paddlers thanks to the steady trade winds that funnel through the channel between Maui and the neighboring island of Molokai, and it is only a short drive from the airport.

For short-term-rental owners, Kahului offers an unusually practical foundation. Its central location puts guests within easy reach of beaches, snorkeling, hiking, and the island's most iconic drives, while the airport and major retailers right in town make arrivals and provisioning easy. The combination of an authentic local setting, reliable visitor traffic, and proximity to Maui's marquee natural attractions makes the area well suited to travelers who want both convenience and access to the rest of the island.

Kahului, Hawaii

Challenging To Investors

STR Regulations for Kahului, Hawaii