Hawaii’s Backyard: Walk reveals the charm of historic Waikiki homes

A quiet neighborhood at the foot of Diamond Head holds the distinction of being one of the largest intact clusters of historic homes in Hawaii. Seventy-five seaside lots bordered by Hibiscus Drive, Coconut Avenue, Kalakaua Avenue and Poni Moi Road were offered for sale beginning in 1924 as part of a subdivision called Diamond Head Terrace.

An ad in the April 13, 1924, edition of the Honolulu Advertiser raved: “Graceful, mature shade trees … combined with mountain breezes make this open section particularly cool and attractive. (It) … offers a good investment as well as one of the finest home locations that can be had in the city.”

Parcels intended as modest middle-class homes started at $3,300. Most of the houses were constructed between the mid 1920s and the late 1930s. At least 24 still stand, 11 on Kalakaua Avenue alone.

Their preservation is due in large part to the Save Diamond Head movement launched in 1960. High-rise hotels and condominiums had begun appearing in the area in the late 1950s, and developers were planning more along the coast, from Diamond Head to Kaha­la.

In December 1967, as a result of Save Diamond Head’s grassroots efforts, the Honolulu City Council voted 5-0 (with four abstentions) to ban more high-rises there and to limit the height of new buildings to three stories. The council also stipulated that existing high-rises could not be rebuilt if they were razed or badly damaged.

The Historic Hawai‘i Foundation has produced a self-guided walking tour map (downloadable at historichawaii.org/tourism), which includes photos and descriptions of 16 remarkable sites at the east end of Waikiki, primarily homes that were part of Diamond Head Terrace.

“Those houses are notable because they’re in excellent condition considering their age, and they have received historic residence designation,” said Kiersten Faulkner, the foundation’s executive director. “They also represent a wide range of architectural styles, including Mediterranean, Craftsman and Spanish Mission Revival.”

Fifteen houses dating between 1923 and 1932 are fine examples of the Tudor and French Norman styles that were popular in England and the United States when they were built. The blueprints were drawn by some of the most esteemed local architects at the time, including Earl Williams, Hart Wood, John Morley and J. Alvin Shadinger.

The Alexander & Baldwin building, Pauahi Hall at Punahou School, Wainee Church on Maui and the Volcano House hotel on Hawaii island are among architectural landmarks that might come to mind. Lesser-known but equally significant is the board-and-batten cottage in Diamond Head Terrace that C.W. Dickey designed and lived in for seven years.

Dating back to 1926, the Dickey house has numerous windows, a spacious lanai and a steep, sloping roof with overhanging eaves that address weather challenges such as heat and wind-driven rain. That distinctive roof was Dickey’s signature and a prominent feature of the Hawaiian style of architecture he is credited with developing.

Five acres on the slopes of Diamond Head, overlooking Diamond Head Terrace, was where entrepreneur Walter Dillingham and his wife, Louise, built their elegant five-bedroom home in 1922. Inspired by a villa they had admired during their honeymoon in Tuscany, the estate included stables, tennis courts, a swimming pool and servants’ quarters. The Dillinghams named it La Pietra, meaning “the rock.”

For 40 years, the couple hosted a bevy of distinguished guests there, including Herbert Hoover, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Nelson Rockefeller, Bing Crosby, Will Rogers and Walt Disney. Today, it is the campus of La Pietra — Hawaii School for Girls, a private school for grades six through 12. As such, it is not accessible except for private functions and some school events.

In the same vein, the architecture and landscaping of the venerable Diamond Head Terrace houses can be appreciated from the sidewalk, but they are not open to the public and visitors should respect the homeowners’ privacy when viewing them.

“Historic houses are important links to the past,” Faulkner said. “They share insights about former occupants and how they lived. They show architectural trends that were prevalent when they were built. Moreover, they can spark positive change: What worked well in Hawaii’s homes yesterday that can improve the quality of our lives today and in the future?”

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ABOUT HISTORIC HOMES

A “Historic Residence” generally refers to a home that is eligible or listed on the state and/or national Register of Historic Places. To receive such designation, a house must be more than 50 years old or have achieved “exceptional importance” within the past 50 years; be associated with a person or event important in American or Hawaiian history; be a noteworthy example of a distinct architectural style, period or method of construction; and/or yield information about American or Hawaiian history or the architecture, archaeology or culture of a community. The home must also exhibit most of the seven characteristics of historic integrity: location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling and association.

On Oahu, if a Historic Residence plaque is displayed, that indicates the home is listed on the Hawaii Register of Historic Places and the owner is receiving a property tax credit. In return, he or she must provide visual access to the house, meaning walls, gates or landscaping must not block key architectural features.

Cheryl Chee Tsutsumi is a Honolulu-based freelance writer whose travel features for the Star-Advertiser have won several Society of American Travel Writers awards.