Kauhale Kai –  Isle of Hawai’i

Perched above Kaunaoa Bay on Hawaii’s Big Island, the design inspiration for this site came from the clients’ affinity for modern art and architecture and their desire to capture Hawaii’s warm sense of aloha. They wanted a seaside home capable of accommodating their extended family. The result is an elevated interpretation of the traditional, close-knit, Hawaiian kauhale settlement. It is understated and designed for tropical livability, capturing the island’s laid-back style.

An architectural pool forms the axis for arranging seven separate modern tropical pavilions, or hales, totaling 6,700 square feet. The hales link through outdoor gardens and spaces that act as corridors, creating a village ambiance. These elegant transitional spaces harmoniously connect the hale structures, tropical plantings, large-scale stone exterior elements, and the site’s coastal views.

Minimalist finishes reinforce the clean lines. Warm woods complement cool sand-grained plaster and brushed travertine floors. Easily maintained finishes and floors welcome bare feet and reinforce the aloha factor. The design incorporates cultural cues from ancient Polynesian culture, referencing the homeowners’ years of living in Tahiti. The stacked stone water feature at the entry and monoliths alongside outdoor pavilions echo ancient Polynesian cultures.