On Hawaii’s Big Island, a Sweet Estate Built on Former Sugar Plantation

Sugarcane was introduced to Hawai’i by its first inhabitants around 600 AD, and steadily became a choice crop. By the mid-nineteenth century, transportation had improved enough that sugarcane plantations in Hawai’i became profitable. This particular property is located on land once farmed by the Kaiwiki Sugar Company, of which the English explorer Isabella Bird wrote in 1872, “Then there is the sugar plantation of Kaiwiki, with its patches of bright green cane, its flumes crossing the track above our heads, bringing the cane down from the upland cane-fields to the crushing-mill, and the shifting, busy scenes of the sugar-boiling season.”

The sugar plantations eventually consolidated into a few big companies. All are gone now, and this is one of only eight remaining significant sugar plantation manager’s homes on the Big Island. Built between 1918 and 1927, the 5.32-acre property includes the main house plus three additional three additional structures, a hoop shade house, a grass tennis court that needs restoring, and a swimming pool. The property, which comprises nine bedrooms, five bathrooms, and three powder rooms, all in 7,320 square feet. Listing agent is Judy Howard at Compass.

The main house features spacious rooms, all with vintage charm (although the pics seem to be overly staged). All rooms include hardwood floors and 10’ high ceilings. The living room, dining room, and screened-in veranda, with charming built-ins and stonework, boast beautiful ocean views. Most of the vintage charm of the house is either intact or has been restored. Wherever possible, original fixtures were kept or replaced with era correct pieces. Other details and hidden treasures that make this a special home includes a “phone room” off the living room, necessary to accept trans-Pacific phone calls back in the day.

There are six bedrooms in the main house, with two suites featuring private baths and adjacent sunrooms, which are fabulous for enjoying elevated views of the ocean and coastline and sweet Hawaiian breezes.

As for the outbuildings, the two-bedroom guest cottage includes a full bath and screened-in porch. The garage has a one-bedroom apartment built into the upper portion that includes a living area, dining area, full bath and kitchen. The last building is a stable / tack room, originally used for the plantation manager’s horses. Most recently used for plants and potting, the stable features a loft and watering trough.

Acres of land include manicured lawns scattered with avocado trees, apple bananas, limes, lemons, oranges, tangerines and more 20 varieties of palms. Five plumeria trees, each with different color flowers, have been on the property for over 70 years. It’s all located in the peaceful town of O’okala, which is just minutes away from schools, shopping and restaurants. And Hilo is just 40 minutes away. Aloha!