Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the weather like at Ōma'opio Ridge?
• Is Ōma'opio Ridge a gated community?
• Are there any covenants or restrictions?
• Is there a community association and, if so, what is the fee?
• Are the utilities underground?
• Is high-speed Internet access available?
• Where does the water come from?
• How much water is available and what will it cost?
• What is the quality of the water?
• What schools serve Ōma'opio Ridge's children, and how close are they?
• How close are the airport, shopping, restaurants, professional services and medical facilities?
• What is the drive time to beaches?
  
  
  
  
  

In a word, delightful! At an elevation of about 1300 feet above sea level, daytime high temperatures are typically in the low to middle 80s, with cool nights. Most of Ōma'opio Ridge’s residents rarely use air conditioning. Much of the annual rain falls from November to March, when the buffel grass turns green, and the rest of the year is usually dry. So it’s cooler than Kihei or Kahului, warmer than Olinda or Upper Kula, and drier than Haiku or Huelo. Check out current conditions  here.

Yes. Access to all but the first two lots (Lot 1 and Lot 2) is controlled by a security gate. Lot owners can open the gate remotely for visitors, and they can obtain a remote control module for their cars.

Yes.  There are strictly enforced protective covenants and design controls intended to enhance the quality of life at Ōma'opio Ridge, protect property values, and ensure a cohesive neighborhood. 

Yes. All lot owners must be members of the Ōma'opio Ridge Community Association (ORCA). Currently, the monthly fee is $365; this fee covers the cost of operating the water system, maintaining the roadside landscaping, and operating and maintaining the entry gate. This fee has not been changed for several years, and adjustments will be needed in the future.

Yes. All utilities, including electric power, telephone and cable TV within the roadway, are underground and must remain underground when extended to buildings or equipment on all lots.

Yes. Broadband services from the cable and telephone companies are available.

The water comes from an on-site well drilled into an aquifer that has a capacity of 7 million gallons a day.  It is pumped through a chlorination station to two 30,000-gallon, glass-lined steel tanks located at the top of Phase I.  From there it is pumped up to two new tanks at the top of Phase II.  Each of the new tanks has a capacity of 46,500 gallons.  Then it flows via 6" ductile iron pipes to the lots and roadside fire hydrants.  Lots at higher elevations (Lots C, D and E, and perhaps other lots depending on the home's specific location) will require a booster pump for adequate water pressure.  County water is used to irrigate the upper portion of the Phase I roadside landscaping.  For further details, click here.

It is recommended that each resident adopt a design maximum of 4,000 gallons per day, although the capacity of the water system is substantially higher.  Bills for water are based on the actual cost of electric power needed to pump the water to the water tanks.  The current cost (as of December, 2011) is $4.08 per 1,000 gallons.  Other routine expenses connected with water, such as monthly quality testing and maintenance, are covered by the community association fees.

The water from the well was tested by a laboratory certified by the State Department of Health and met or exceeded all the test standards for potable water.  A state-certified water specialty company maintains the water system, monitors the chlorination levels, and conducts regular quality tests.  Periodic reports on the water system will be posted on the members’ section of the Ōma'opio Ridge web site.

Ōma'opio Ridge is in the Kula Elementary, Kalama Intermediate, and King Kekaulike High School Districts. They are about 11-, 13-, and 10-minute drives away, respectively. The private schools include Haleakalā-Waldorf (10 minutes), Montessori (17 minutes) and Seabury Hall (14 minutes).

Ōma'opio Ridge, while in the country, enjoys easy access to all these services. Kahului and Wailuku shopping, restaurants, professional and medical offices, the airport, the hospital and government services are all within a 10- to 20-minute drive.  For a map of the area, click here.

The swimming and surfing beaches on the north shore (Kanaha, Baldwin and Ho'okipa) and in Kihei/Wailea (Kamaole to Wailea) are about 20 to 35 minutes away. The planned Kihei-to-Upcountry road, which will cross Ōma'opio Road about a mile or two below Ikena Kai Place, will significantly reduce the drive time to South Maui, Pukalani, and Makawao.