Hawaii has long been a second home destination for landlocked Midwesterners looking to escape frigid winters, and West Coast residents seeking a part-time escape. But for those looking to buy an island retreat there hasn’t been much choice beyond whole ownership, single-family homes, condominiums and timeshares, like the Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas opening this month in Kauai, that simply offer a week or two of use a year. That is changing. More fractional developments and individual homes are opening on the islands, which have some of the highest median home sale prices in the entire country. For buyers now eyeing Hawaii, here’s a look at a few fractional options.

The Ritz-Carlton Club, Kapalua Bay

Ritz-Carlton’s development on the northwest corner of Maui includes both whole ownership and fractional residences. The wholly owned three- and four-bedroom homes, which have up to 4,271 square feet of living space, start at $3.9 million. The development’s fractional units, sold through its Ritz-Carlton Club brand, start at around $300,000 for a one-twelfth share. That gets buyers 21 days a year of use. Fractional units are available in two- and three-bedroom layouts and range from 1,912 to 2,257 square feet. All have garden entryways and open lanais. Owners can use the 25,000 square-foot spa at the Ritz, visit the property’s beach club or hit the greens at the resort’s three golf courses. The first residences are set to open in mid-2009.

Resort Equities, Kapalua

This fractional ownership company has single family homes and condominiums in several locations around the world, including the island of Maui. Their 4,000 square-foot home is located in a gated community, and has four bedrooms and ocean views from the open-air lanai. Ownership starts at $795,000 for a one-sixth share that secures owners one fixed two-week block every year as well as five additional weeks of use annually. The home is also available for last-minute bookings on a space-available basis. The home has an infinity-edge pool and is close to golfing at the Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua Bay.

3928 Punahele Road

The island of Kauai has some of the most expensive real estate in Hawaii. The median sales price of a single-family home topped $760,000 this year, while the median price tag on a condo was $565,000. Development on the island is also limited, one factor that, coupled with the island’s popularity among affluent second home owners, is sure to keep prices high even with the larger real estate market is slowing. This three-bedroom fractional residence in Princeville, on the island’s nNorth Shore is sold in one-sixth shares for $299,000. Each slice secures the owner eight weeks of use per year. The home opens onto both front and rear gardens as well as a lanai, and it is outfitted with granite countertops and Brazilian wood floors. There is also a swimming pool, and owners have access to a vehicle at the house as well as nearby tennis and golf.