Historic Hawaiian Home

Hanalei Bay Panoramic

Breathtakingly panoramic, this home combines rich wood and dark, local stone with clean-lined, Zen-inspired interior design elements to create an understated and elegant view home perched high above Hanalei Bay.

This classic home’s views are lushly tropical and moodily dramatic, overlooking pleated green peaks shrouded in clouds, sparkling Pacific waters reflecting the sunlight, and the astounding Namolokama Waterfalls in the distance. Vistas are captured from every angle, out of generous picture windows and on wraparound outside view decks (one with a hot tub), or from any of the cushioned window seats inside, a built-in feature in some bedrooms, common areas, and even a bathroom. 

Completely renovated, the home showcases all new appliances and bedroom furnishings, and has a decidedly Japanese feel, resulting from its abundance of rich wood, minimalist furniture, accent screens and partitions, louvered shutters, and rice paper pendants. There’s a projection area for movie nights, books, and a stocked “beach surf” room equipped with paddle boards, bikes, snorkeling gear, and surfboards. A 4WD Toyota Tacoma truck is also available to rent.

Around

At the end of a small road above Hanalei Bay, this home offers a dramatic panorama that captures mountains, ocean, rainforest, and waterfalls making up this lush tropical inlet on the island of Kauai’s north shore. The house is a 10-minute drive to Hanalei Bay and a few minutes’ further to Kilauea and only a short bike ride to Princeville and its Puu Poa Beach. Incorporated as a ranch founded in 1853, the Princeville area retains some ranching activity, though is better known today as a resort community in the shadow of Bali Hai Mountain. Hanalei Bay means "Crescent Bay" and has been settled since ancient times, initially as a fishing village, later a missionary outpost, a community of whalers and ultimately, home to farmers and ranchers. 

Hanalai Bay Resort’s famed “Happy Talk Lounge” is a favorite local and surfer spot for cocktails and its classic Hawaiian tiki torch vibe. The Puu Poa Beach is the Princeville area’s most picturesque beach, running north of the mouth of the Hanalei River right up to the Hanalai Bay Resort. A long stretch of golden sand, a protected reef and awe-inspiring views of Bali Hai, the Hanalei Mountains and waterfalls, plus vivid sunsets make the beach a popular movie location and a favorite wedding site, and it's also great for snorkelers. Other local activities around Princeville include horseback rides, golfing, ziplining, kayaking the Hanalei River, and trekking/hiking along the coastal trail to the Na Pali coast.

Location

Princeville, Kauai, Hawaii, United States. Nearest airport: Lihue (45 minutes to an hour)

Best time to visit

Year round

Photographs: Kate Berry @kateb_