The photo above is in jest, but not by much. Just when you thought South Maui had all the “luxury” homes it needed, Hunt Development Group went and broke ground on a few dozen more. On Oct. 6, the company held a groundbreaking and blessing ceremony at the site of their new Nu’u Aina development, which is located mauka of Pi’ilani Highway near the Maui Research and Technology Park in Kihei.

“The project will offer 68 luxury residences conveniently located near many of Maui’s best attractions, allowing owners to experience the beauty of the island’s sense of place while enjoying modern day comforts,” states Hunt’s Oct. 9 news release. “Nu‘u Aina will offer a collection of one- and two-story single-family homes, and two-story villas, on 17 acres of land with expansive green spaces surrounded by lush tropical landscaping. The property offers breathtaking ocean, golf course, and sunset views, as well as a pool and hot tub complex with outdoor kitchen facilities.”

As if to underscore the “luxury” nature of the new project, the name “Wailea” appears three times in the press release–it’s billed as a “Private condominium community located near luxury Wailea resorts”–even though the homes will be in the heart of Kihei. “The community of Wailea and its world-class resorts, such as Four Seasons and Grand Wailea, will provide Nu‘u Aina owners with access to numerous high-end dining choices and shopping at Maui’s premier shopping complex, The Shops at Wailea,” the news release helpfully states, though it somehow neglects to mention that those places are all much further from Nu’u Aina than the Kihei Safeway, which is within walking distance of the project.

The news release also includes a quote from Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa on the project’s importance:

“I have been aware of this project for some time now, and I am very happy to see it come to fruition under the management of the Hunt Development Group. This project will not only offer new housing opportunities, it will provide much needed jobs for local area residents, and drive revenue to our local businesses. Further, it will also support the ongoing growth and development of our Maui Research and Technology Park, located right next door.”

That’s pretty generous, especially since Arakawa’s name isn’t on the long list of Hawaii public officials who’ve taken campaign contributions from Woody L. Hunt, Hunt Development Group’s chairman. Since 2007 (though Hunt Building is many decades old, the Development Group itself only formed in 2006), Woody Hunt has given $104,450 to various state and local officials, according to the Hawaii Campaign Spending Commission. Here are some of the more notable names:

Gov. Neil Abercrombie: $12,000

Former Lt. Gov. James “Duke” Aiona: $6,000

State Sen. David Ige: $500

U.S. Senator Brian Schatz: $500

Speaker of the House Joe Souki: $300

Pre-sales are scheduled to begin sometime next year. For more information, visit Nuuaina.com.

Photo of John Ringling’s Florida mansion: Roger Wollstadt/Wikimedia Commons

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