NAPILI – “Immerse Yourself In Paradise” is the tagline for Napili’s newest development located “at the gateway to Kapalua” at the corner of Napilihau Road and Highway 30.

Wailele Ridge is a 158-unit, ten-acre residential complex offered by Bach Builders and Developers Hawaii LLC of Draper, Utah.

Its project sales manager is Howard Kihune Jr. of Aina Lani Pacific, Kihei.

Construction commenced April 4, “with expected completion late 2018,” Kihune said.

“The project is finally getting off the ground after almost two years,” Kihune observed, inviting the Lahaina News to attend a small event on Sunday, April 14.

The promotional material distributed at the gathering announced, “Wailele Ridge represents the first opportunity in more than a decade to own a new condominium townhome in the prestigious Kapalua area of Maui.”

One-, two- and three-bedroom condominium apartments are available in various formats, with the first stage of development at the south end of the property consisting of seven of the approximate 30 buildings. Short-term vacation rentals will not be permitted.

Unit square footage ranges from about 500 square feet to almost 1,600 square feet. The price tag at the low end is $404,900, with $939,900 the cost at the top. Monthly maintenance fees are listed as low as $425, with the higher square footage unit owners paying as much as $1,200.

All units are assigned two parking stalls. Some will have garages, ocean views and lanais, but not all.

Phase I listed amenities include an infinity pool, jacuzzi and fire pit.

The property was purchased by the Bach Corporation from Maui Land and Pineapple Co. Inc. with all entitlements.

“It closed back in November 2013,” Kihune advised the Lahaina News in a previous article published in March 2014.

The property has a colorful history. It was previously owned by Kimo Harlacher, operator of Rainbow Ranch, now Ironwood Ranch situated higher up.

He purchased from the much-storied Farden family in the mid-1980s. Prior to the Farden tenure, the land was owned by Baldwin Packers Ltd. and was used as a cattle stockyard and slaughterhouse.

With questions from the community about the removal of the surrounding Cook pine trees, Kihune explained the situation.

“We were originally hoping to keep a majority of the Cook pines. Due to the infrastructure work, which includes the one-acre retention basin, they had to be removed but will be replaced with new Cooks after completion of infrastructure work and as part of landscaping,” Kihune assured.

The drainage basin abuts the site. Designed by Ronald M. Fukumoto Engineering, the basin will capture all the water, Kihune explained. Overflow will be funneled along a concrete drainage-way to the culvert under the highway at the Napilihau/Honoapiilani intersection, Kihune added.

In 2014, Kihune told the Lahaina News, “We have some park requirements. We’ve initiated with Maui Land and Pine a proposal for a 50-acre regional park on the other side of Maui Prep (Maui Preparatory Academy).”

As a follow up, Lahaina News asked for an update.

“You will need to contact ML&P (Maui Land and Pine) regarding the regional park,” Kihune advised, “as I am not sure if that is still part of their plans.”

The original prospectus included a requirement to provide affordable housing, and that’s still on the plate.

“The 12 units are being developed offsite as part of a 100 percent single-family workforce housing development on the West Side,” Kihune reported.

“Workforce housing notice to be released May 15,” Kihune cited. “Thirty-three single-family homes in Kaanapali. Project name Kaiaulu at Kaanapali.”

For more information about Wailele Ridge, call (808) 669-1188.

“Island Sothebys International Realty is the exclusive brokerage firm,” Kihune said.

For more information on the workforce housing promise, read the Lahaina News next week.