Just returned from super 4 day weekend (July 4th 2004). Stayed in hotel room on the property (307B). Room was clean, well kept and daily service was good---towels (both bathroom and beach) were plentiful and always available at the desk. The property is magnificent---small but right on the water. The beach is great---long walks available right in front of hotel. Can walk to Wailea property and use their beach bar (just OK). Good body surfing---some rocks so small kids have got to be watched. On property restaurant (Palm) is so-so with kinda inattendent help. But setting is marvelous. Next door (adjoining property) is Sorento's on the Beach. A don't miss place to eat---great service---presentation and food is as good as it gets. Assume $30 entrees as a rule with normal island booze costs---and they have good wine list. Veal dishes all superb. Another good eat bet is a KKO about 2 miles up the beach. Try the Bluenose, a local catch, well worth it. Pan seared, then baked with toasted coconut and topped off with drizzle of Mango Sauce---no better seafood meal in the islands. Lahaina about 40 minutes away assuming traffic flows OK (not always a good bet).

Enjoy yourself---we'll certainly be back there for a periodic weekend when we need to hide from Oahu pace.

Just came back from my first trip to Hawaii/Maui. The Mana Kai was exactly what I wanted. Both my friend and I had really felt no need to stay at one of the island's big resorts that boast huge grounds with lavish swimming pool areas. Our reason for this was: if we're on a beautiful island (such as Maui) with natural, beautiful beaches, we wanted to be somewhere right on the beach with a personal, almost private feel, with easy access to walk right out to that.
The Mana Kai was exactly that. We had (and I DEFINITELY recommend having) a deluxe oceanfront room, and the view was simply phenomenal. (I will gladly e-mail anyone interested a pic of our view from the lanai.)
While the beach has suffered some errosion due to previous storms, there is still ample space to sit on the sand. The water/swimming was still really nice, and the lawn directly in front of the beach that the Mana Kai provides is completely comfortable and makes you feel like you're right on it. You really feel like you're at your own personal beach.
Our room was clean, and the kitchen was very functionable. The hotel's location, in addition to the beach, was also great: close to Wailea (shops/restaurants, etc) and in the heart of Kihei's best food, activities, etc.
I will, without a doubt, go abck to the Mana Kai.

I have been going to the Mana Kai Maui ever since I was two years old. My grandfather was one of the first people to buy a Condo there. I'm 21 now and am going to be going back with my family in June/July. The Mana Kai Maui is an unbelievable place for a great price. The beach has warm white sand and is absolutely gorgeous. There is coral reef to your right as you enter the crystal blue ocean. The reef is swarming with life. If you go during the winter you will see dozens of humpback whales right off the coast. There are also hundreds of sea turtles that pop up out of the water. If you swim out far enough you are likely to see families of sea turtles eating seaweed under broccoli shaped coral. There are TONS of activities. I would recommend taking an Eco-Kayak tour of one of Maui's many nature preserves. That is definetly worth the money. Make sure to ask for a renovated room (some owners of the other condominiums do not want to pay for the renovation). The newly renovated rooms are absolutely immaculate and provide you with brilliant views of the ocean, sunsets, and islands in the distance. If you go to Mana Kai Maui you will never want to come home. That is the only drawback I can think of.

After 3 stays at the next door Surfside we decided to "upgrade" to the Mana Kai. For an extra $40-50 a night you get daily maid service and are closer to the beach. The room layouts are very different. At the Mana Kai their one bedroom is really a very large studio apartment. The sleeping area can be separated from the living area by a sliding door but then the "living" area is tiny. The advantage to this layout is that the bed is right next to the ocean. The disadvantage is that the room can feel a little cramped particularly if you have 4 people sharing the common space (their 2 bedroom includes a separate room in back with bath room). The surfside has a more traditional layout with the bedroom in the back and a large living area in front. The only disappointment with the stay (besides a few days or torrential rain) was that the beach in front is seriously eroded from several winter storms. At least 60% of the beach is gone and all of the beach directly infront of the resort is gone. This was my favorite beach in the world- huge, sandy bottom and almost deserted. Now it is quite small and consequently feels crowded. Locals say it should come back. Its still a nice place to say but just don't go thinking that the beach will look like the pictures anymore. For a current picture of the beach check out the web cam.