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Guide to hotel/condo descriptions- What do they really mean?
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Beachfront
Hotel or condos located right on the beach, generally the beach has sand, no roads to cross, however, the shoreline could be 100 yards away and the water  may not be visible from the accommodations Always check on Google earth or guest pictures on Flickr.
 
Oceanfront
Hotel or condos that face the ocean, but do not have a beach, perhaps they have rocky shore. Facing the ocean could mean the accommodations are steps from the shoreline, or the ocean is a mile away, but visible from the accommodation. Again, check Google satellite pictures.
 
"Steps to the Beach"
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This description has one the widest interpretations and applications. Perhaps the accommodation is 10 steps from the beach, or 500 steps which is could  be 500 yards. Maybe there are streets to cross. Maybe there are steep stairs to trek. Ask for a photo taken from the beach, towards the accommodation. This will give you a good idea of the location
 
"Minutes to the Beach"
 
Very vague description with a broad range of possibilities. A 5 minute walk is 1/4 mile, maybe its downhill or uphill, maybe there are streets to cross  Minutes to the beach can also be a short drive in a car. Ask detailed questions about the exact location. Minutes to the beach means you are not at the beach.
 
"Peek a Boo Views"
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If you stand on the dresser and look out the bedroom window, you can get a glimpse of the ocean.
 
"Near the Beach"
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The most vague of all descriptions, perhaps a 10 minute drive,  20 minute walk, or just down the highway, who knows.
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Hotel Brochures and condo listing often show "beaches" but do not really point out where the accommodation is relative to the beach.  Perhaps, the beach pictured is across the street or down the road, but the brochure or website does not really identify the location of the beach.  Ask for photos taken from the beach, or look at Google Earth. Do not assume a hotel is beachfront because there are so many beach pictures on the website or brochure.
Google satellite pictures of the hotel will tell you the truth.
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"We would like an ocean view room, please"
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The hotel or condo complex that you are booking may have a great location, perhaps ocean front or beachfront, but the building structures may be very long and stretch 400 yards back away from the beach. There are only so many rooms that actually face the ocean, and every guest says, "We would like ocean view please".  Of course, the answer is " We will be glad to note your preference, and perhaps upon arrival, we will see what we have available", but when you arrive, no ocean views will be available. Everyone wants the same rooms, if you really want a beachfront or oceanfront room, it will require a higher rate. Again, the  Google satellite pictures can readily show the layout of the complex.
 
All beaches on Maui are not created equal. Perhaps  the beach looks beautiful but has lots of coral with limited entry, perhaps the surf is too rough for ocean swimming, much too windy, perhaps the beach is a great swimming beach, or perhaps the beach has strong currents. Ask questions of the hotel/condo, and check on Trip Advisor for guest comments.