I think Hale Pau Hana in Kihei would be perfect.
On the beach, excellent snorkeling and very near many restaurants.

I was just in Maui and we enjoyed the Kahana area- its a short drive to Kaanapali and Lahaina but not so crowded. We stayed at the Valley Isle- 1 bedroom with a murphy bed in living room. I don't know if they have 2 bedrooms but I would assume they do.
It is ocean front- you can snorkel from there although ( we could see turtles from our lanai) I think there is better snorkeling in other areas.
I have also stayed at the Paki Maui in the past which I enjoyed- its ocean front but no sand beach.
We could walk to the farmers market which was nice- and for your girls whom I would assume love pizza, there is a good pizza place across the street.
There were many other resorts in the area but not the high end you find at Kaanapali. I really liked the feel of that area.

Kamaole Sands
Maui Kamaole
Hale Kamaole
are reasonably priced properties in south Kihei that are across from Kamaole Beach Park, near restaurants, groceries, and shops, a bit away from the noise of Kihei. If you want more upscale, there are condos in Wailea that are probably under your price point.http://www.vrbo.com/vacation-rentals/usa/hawaii/maui/south-maui/wailea

Definitely check out the condos at Napili Bay. It's exactly what you're looking for. I can't recommend a specific condo complex because I, unfortunately, didn't stay on Napili Bay. But, we walked there and it was exactly what I was hoping Maui would be: laid back, low-rise condos, a beautiful bay with great snorkeling.

<<<But, we walked there and it was exactly what I was hoping Maui would be: laid back, low-rise condos, a beautiful bay with great snorkeling>>>

It isn't where we tend to stay (we like resorts), but everything Austin says about Napili is true

Check out Napili Sunset - any of the units that front the lawn/ocean. http://www.napilisunset.com/

Thanks everyone for all the suggestions. Much appreciated. I have some questions please. On looking through the Maui forums, it sounds like the Kihei condo complexes are separated from the beach a relatively busy road. Is this true and if so, is noise and traffic (for kids) an issue? Napili Sunset looks good, but they're asking $399/night for 2 BR which seems high for low season and what you get there.

Thanks again for any and all advice.

I stayed in these condos, Polynesian Shores in 1983. They were wonderful and it sounds like they still are:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g60634-d445075-Reviews-Polynesian_Shores-Lahaina_Maui_Hawaii.html

The Kihei condos are across the street from the beach- as you said, a pretty busy road.
I personally don't like the feel of the Kehei area as a place to stay although the weather is frequently better there- and last trip to Maui we did spend a day there.

I love the Napilii area and there are lots of condos available- but everywhere I have looked at was fairly expensive- thats why we stayed in the Kahana area - and I really liked it there

I have friends who recently returned from the Royal Mauian, and loved it, especially that there is no road between it and the water. They're generally pretty picky too.

Did I miss something? Is there some connection between your being a biology professor and this trip?

I just checked rates for a 2 bedroom at the Valley Isle where I stayed for Jul - looks like $260/nt

I thought our place was fine- not luxury - but has pool, beach, fitness center , washer and dryer in condo- was clean- concierge service available at hotel next door for booking excursions-

I would certainly stay there again

Up by Kahala/Napili is more like a resort area - v. more people live down Kihei way, and it's busier.

"Did I miss something? Is there some connection between your being a biology professor and this trip?"

I wondered the same thing; are you stressing that you are going to be looking for somewhere with lots of aquatic life (snorkeling)?

Thanks for additional suggestions. Yes, as Sylvia3 suggested, the link to my being a biology professor is that our vacations tend to emphasize wildlife experiences like snorkeling and bird watching. Also, I will be trying to get in some seabird observations while my family enjoys the beach. We generally do better in somewhat out of the way places than in high-density condo areas.
Thanks everyone.

Hope you find something that works for you and also that you file a post trip report.

Thanks Tom.

I looked into Royal Mauian. It does look like good, but there are few units available for rent and the ones not right by the pool are booked solid through the summer! Valley Isle gets mixed reviews on Trip Advisor. Any other specific suggestions out there?

Thanks.

I still think Napili Sunset would be perfect for you guys. Even a 1 BR with the kids sleeping on the foldout in the living room (or on the deck?)- or call them directly to see about a possible family discount, or check VRBO some more and see if any owners might have their units up for rent. http://www.napilisunset.com/

Thanks Tom.

The title and first sentence. LOL

Look at www.vrbo.com. We have friends who found a beautiful condo on that site, less expensive too, by renting directly from the owner rather than through the property management company.

If you like the Kahana area, you might try the Sands of Kahana. I know much of it is timeshare, but they do private rentals as well. And you will know which room you get. We own there and would recommend anyone staying there. The rooms are huge with 2 bedrooms (the 2nd bedroom is really private), a large kitchen and laundry. There's 2 pools and a swimming beach out front. The building is a bit dated but I wouldn't wnat my 10 and 13 year old having to spend a vacation sleeping together in a pullout so go for the 2 bedroom.
Not knowing when you will actually be there limits the search for availability but I think the 2 BD are in your budget. Book through Sullivan properties. The rooms are coded so room 235 would be Building 2, 3rd floor and room 5.

Thanks to all for the good suggestions. We're going to stay at this condo near Lahaina. No pool, but right on a private beach with protected ocean swimming and in a small complex. Will post comments here after returning from Maui stay in August.

http://www.mymauipalace.com/

It looks like a great place- and in my favorite area. I wish I was there now- tired of this Oregon rain and cold

Marvelous. Hey - you might ask some of the locals for advice about how to use a Hawaiian Sling - and you could go spear fishing in the morning and bring back breakfast.

I think you may be mistaken about private beach; I don't think any beach is private. Not a biggie,though. Nice digs.

Maximum extent of private ownership (in US) is to mean high tide. But access can sometimes be...difficult.

As I understood it - there are no real private beaches in Hawaii - just ones that are more difficult to access and thus - not as many locals hang out there.

see: http://www.hawaii-vacation-paradise.com/hawaii-beaches.html

I can't get that site to open any photos.

This is a site I like better for beach photgraphs, as they are also included on a map:


http://www.hawaiigaga.com/maui-beaches.aspx

Great site Placename.

Yeah. I can sit and look at those pictures all day long.....

OK, back from our trip to Maui where we stayed at this condo:
http://www.mymauipalace.com/ (We stayed at unit 2).
I'd give it a mixed rating. On the good side, it's part of a small complex of 12 condos that are all right on the beach, with only a small lawn separating you from the water. Every day we saw up to 5 green turtles feeding within a few feet of the beach. The views from the lanai are of open water to the west, with Haleakala to the south and Moloka'i to the northwest. The unit itself was okay: clean, recently remodeled, appliances all work, kitchen very well equipped. Several other features are negatives. If you're a non-smoker as are we, this isn't the place for you. The condo coop has very lax, if any, policies about where people can smoke and it seemed that there were often people gassing right under our lanai. Really detracted from the experience having to shut the sliding door. And if you're a light sleeper and want to sleep past 6:30AM, this also isn't the place for you. The complex sits right on Lower Honoapi'ilani Rd. and the traffic starts up early. Listening to garbage trucks shift gears takes some of that Aloha spirit away. All in all, we won't be returning to My Maui Palace. The road north of Ka'anapali is filled with small condo complexes. Seems to me one could rent at any of these places and have similar experiences.
One of the best things we did was drive north of Kapalua toward Honalua Bay and beyond. Amazing how quickly you leave the hyper-developed Maui and get into the back-country. The Bay is amazing for snorkeling, and the views north and east from there are amazing. Road gets very windy, so not good for those who get queasy.
We've done Maui and now we can go back to Kauai and the Big Island. Thanks again to everyone who offered suggestions.

You've 'done Maui'? Perhaps you're just not telling us what you did there.

Did you hike into Haleakala and visit Upcountry? Try 'hippy' Paia and watch the windsurfers? Drive Road to Hana? Sample beaches all along the South Maui coast to the end of the road past Makena (where the black lava from Haleakala's last eruption meets the blue ocean)? Did you visit Iao Valley? Check out the Kealia bird sanctuary? Visit Maui Ocean Center? Snorkel to Lanai or along the Maui coast?

Did you go to Costco on a Saturday? LOL

Thanks for reporting back. I never saw your earlier posts or would have cautioned against staying near Kaanapali. The 'ends' of Maui are nicer, IMO.

>You've 'done Maui'? Perhaps you're just not telling us what you did there.<

For some people, to "do" an island or location is to accomplish exactly whatever their original intent was, whatever it was.

It does not mean they need to accomplish whatever someone else deems necessary for them to have done.

I would say Napili too.

great feed back eliot!!!

CS back off the caffiene and barbituates

The OP relayed that he thought Maui was too built-up, yet he seems to have chosen to stay close to the most densely populated tourist area: Kaanapali. The only other place he mentioned was Kapalua. There are many rural places on Maui -- that I think a biologist would like. I wondered if he'd visited them.