“Our client, with whom we had a couple of large Bay Area projects, purchased a condo in Maui in August 2024,” recalls interior designer Lisa Furtado. “She had always dreamed of a family retreat in Maui but would need to rent it as an Airbnb for most of the year to be able to finance it.”
The client found it in the Kaanapali Alii, a beachfront property in Lahaina. It boasts a central location between the Westin and Marriott hotels, a poolside view of the beach, and a short walk to Whaler’s Village. “She asked if I could squeeze this renovation in with the requisite of completion before Christmas so it could be rented for the holidays,” Lisa says. “Of course, I didn’t want to pass up this opportunity, and I’m always up for an adventure, but with the short timeline, a full plate of projects, and the fact that I had never done work in Hawaii, it was a bit intimidating. Little did I know I was about to embark on one of the biggest logistical feats of my career.”
Most of the units in the building have similar traditional Hawaiian decor—bamboo, dark wood furnishings, quintessential ocean and floral motifs. “My client wanted this space to be playful and unique—an immersive experience for young families, but still maintain an old Hawaii vibe without feeling kitschy,” Lisa explains. She brought in modern, unexpected elements to curate beautifully designed spaces that tell the story of the homeowner.
Lisa arrived in Maui at the end of August and says the condo she toured was lackluster. “It was a bit run down, with carpet that reeked of mildew,” she laughs. “But the unit was surrounded by beautiful, huge native trees, and I immediately saw the potential.” While there were limitations to what they could change with the time, budget, and restrictions of the building, she was able to rely on some original elements. “We decided to keep and paint the cabinetry, which was in good condition,” Lisa explains. “We kept most of the appliances and the bathroom countertops, which saved a lot of time and money. We were able to secure a contractor, and over the next two days we gathered as many materials on the island as we could. Turns out, building materials on Maui are not easy to come by, but we made it work with what we had to choose from.”
The green quartzite used in the kitchen was a diamond in the rough that Lisa says kicked off the entire color palette. “I spent the entire flight home dreaming up the design, inspired by the potential and knowing I had very little time,” she says. “I found a gorgeous Mokum banana leaf wall covering that worked beautifully with the green quartzite and laid the foundation for the rest of the space. I made sure bananas grew on Maui before we committed!”
Lisa flew back to Maui on December 1st to meet the container of furniture that had been carefully selected (and in some cases, personally chased down on Craigslist) to make it in time to be packed and set sail for the journey across the ocean. “Of course, nothing in design or construction goes exactly as planned—especially on island time—so we arrived to a far-from-complete renovation,” she laughs. “But the team was so lovely, it was hard to be anything but grateful.” She continues, “Except for the tile guy working on the ALOHA design, who was not having a good week—particularly when he walked off the job and returned to find what he called ‘impossible’ was indeed possible, and executed by a couple determined women without tile experience. Don’t mess with a woman on an island with a design plan!”
She says the design was a wild ride and an exhausting endeavor, but the condo is the vibe they were hoping for. “It is inspiring and chic while feeling approachable and comfortable for families to enjoy,” she smiles. “Our clients were thrilled with the remodel and they have been able to keep it rented consistently since completion.”
