Wailea is the Beverly Hills of Maui. Swanky, lovely ocean front path, upscale resorts. It's set in a rather quiet neighborhood with stop signs instead of traffic lights.

Kihei is like the Myrtle Beach of Maui. There's a very busy street that runs the length of it, with lots of affordable restaurants, dry cleaners, banks, etc interspersed among the resorts. Many properties are located across this very busy street.

Here are some examples of Kihei properties:

http://www.wizardpub.com/maui/mrmanakai.html
http://www.wizardpub.com/maui/mrkamaolesands.html

Here are some examples of Wailea properties:

http://www.wizardpub.com/maui/mrwaileamarriott.html
http://www.wizardpub.com/maui/mrfourseasons.html

If you want something more affordable but without the neon signs, you might look at Honokowai or Kapalua -- which are both north of Ka'anapali. I'd personally choose hotels there over Kihei. If you want south Maui, Makena is nice and middle of the road.