It’s that time a year again when parents celebrate and children dig in their heels: back-to-school.

From rushing to beat school traffic to signing up for after-school activities, the season brings in quite a change for both parents and children. But that transition can be much smoother when you live within minutes of the island’s finest schools.

“Generally, if you live Upcountry, you’re going to be 15 to 20 minutes away from all the great schools,” said Island Sotheby’s International Realty Agent Mino McClean, R(B).

This elite estate on Lower Kula Road is nearby schools ranging from Seabury Hall to Haleakala Waldorf.

McClean was raised on Maui, and graduated from Seabury Hall. She explained that most of Maui’s top schools are located

When many people picture the idyllic Hawaiian Islands, the first image that comes to mind is a colorful sunset on the horizon, framed by gentle waves of the Pacific Ocean and swaying palm trees.

At these luxurious estates, the view is even more spectacular. With panoramic vistas that span from Moloka’i to Kaho’olawe, these magnificent homes have vantage points that are simply intoxicating.

322 Waakaula Place, Wailea, Hawaii

With endless ocean views and 3,400 square feet of spacious living area, this home is the epitome of indoor-outdoor living. Located in the Wailea Golf Estates, the home overlooks Maui's azure south shore, in addition to one of the finest golf courses in the resort community. 

The single-level home offers an open

From the mystical marine works of Christian Riese Lassen to Curtis Wilson’s landscape paintings of lush Upcountry fields, Maui has inspired — and been home — to several acclaimed artists throughout the decades.

And there’s nothing more helpful for artists than being inspired by where they live — and better yet, to be able to work in the space they call home. Fortunately for those looking to live and make art on Maui, the island is home to several unique estates that offer workshops and art studios. The homes themselves are masterpieces. Here are some of our favorites:

315 Pauwela Road, Haiku, Hawaii 96708

Wake up to the sound of birds calling, and sip your coffee on the covered lanai, surrounded by tropical flora and fauna. This timeless

There’s nothing like enjoying the warm summer sun and taking a dip in calm, clear water to cool off — right in the privacy of your own backyard.

Maui is full of pristine, white-sand beaches and tropical waterfalls, but there’s nothing that rivals the seclusion and tranquility of having a pool at your own home. And at dozens of estates on Maui, there are some of the most exquisitely designed pools, which appear to blend seamlessly into their luxurious surroundings. Here are a few of our favorites:

315 Pauwela Road, Haiku, Hawaii 96708

Sit back, relax and enjoy the sounds of the tropical flora and fauna that surround this breathtaking home. The pool — and the expansive lanai that surrounds it — are truly the focal point of the property, which

Living eco-friendly lifestyle doesn't mean you have to sacrifice luxury — especially at home. 

More and more often, high-end homes on Maui are being built to be equally as luxurious as they are energy efficient. With state-of-the-art photovoltaic and energy storage systems, dozens of magnificent estates offer residents all the finest furnishing, while at the same time aiming to protect the planet by reducing our environmental footprint.

Making a difference without sacrificing comfort — a handful of homes that aim to protect the island that we all know and love:

454 Wailau Place  |  Lahaina  |  Hawaii 96761

Nestled in the slopes of the West Maui mountains, this magnificent estate is meticulously crafted — and entirely off-the-grid. This

2016 marked the year when many lucky buyers made the purchase of a lifetime.

From spacious Kapalua villas to an oceanfront oasis in South Maui, dozens of luxury condominiums and homes were sold by Island Sotheby's International Realty agents last year. Here are a few of the most significant sales of 2016:

Keawakapu | Kihei | $8,000,000

There’s nothing quite like waking up to the soothing sounds of waves in a home that overlooks one of Maui’s most stunning white sand beaches. Undoubtedly one of the island's finest real estate gems, the last time this half-acre oceanfront parcel was on the market was in the 1950s — before Hawaii became a U.S. state.

With about 90 linear feet of unobstructed ocean frontage, this 1960s Hawaiian beach bungalow

Cooking and hosting holiday dinners can be a feat to pull off, especially in cramped kitchens. But preparing Thanksgiving dinner and entertaining guests in these spacious Maui homes doesn’t have to be stressful.

From expansive countertop space to top-of-the-line appliances, these exceptional kitchen designs are equipped with all the goods to make hosting holiday dinners a breeze. And with pools and lanais that offer the perfect view to catch a Maui sunset, there’s plenty to entertain guests while you cook. Here are some of our favorite homes we wish we were spending the holidays in.

 454 Wailau Place, Lahaina, Hawaii 96761

Nestled in the slopes of the West Maui mountains, this magnificent estate is home to meticulously crafted furnishings,

In the Islands, it’s important that island art collectors know how to care for their investments.

Damianos Sotheby’s International Realty agent Vanessa Pritchard-Ansell recently interviewed Harvard-educated Artist and Conservator, Katrina Vanderlip about conserving art in an island home. Discover her findings and explore properties currently represented by Island Sotheby’s International Realty below.

$3,900,000  |  Haiku, Maui  |  MLS® #: 367507

Are there any hassle-free, at-home projects that art-collectors can do to preserve their pieces?

Take the time to really look at the surface of your artwork to notice any changes such as mold growing or loose, flaking paint.

Check behind your artwork to see that there is no mold growing or signs