Hawaii Kai’s First Homes In The Heights

Second in a series

Henry J. Kaiser’s vision for his masterplanned Hawaii Kai co munity called for a residential mix that would comprise every basic home style in a wide price range, from affordable to upscale. Today, with the masterplan essentially built out, Hawaii Kai consists of single family homes throughout the valley, on the hillsides, and fronting the Marina, townhome neighborhoods, and condominium apartment buildings.

The visionary industrialist turned real estate developer recognized that the topography of the eastern corner of Oahu was made to order for a diversified development of both oceanfront and view homes. By dredging the Hawaii Kai Marina, he created a variety of sites for waterfront homes. The ridges that embrace the Hawaii Kai valleys and Marina, Kaluanui to the west and Kamehame to the east, became the sites of the community’s two major ridge-line subdivisions, Mariner’s Ridge and Kamehame Ridge topped by Na Pali Haweo.

Dan Madden, a Realtor and Broker-In-Charge at East Oahu Realty, is a resident of Mariner’s Ridge where he has sold 37 homes. “I moved to Mariner’s Ridge 10 years ago because of the great views and cool breezes – it’s usually a few degrees cooler there than at sea level. It takes only about five minutes to get down the hill to my office at the Hawaii Kai Corporate Plaza.

“Between 1972 and 1975 approximately 275 single family homes were built on the lower two thirds of Mariner’s Ridge by Robert H. Grant, a California developer. Seven different floor plan designs took advantage of the sloping lots and excellent views. Later, 150 additional lots in the upper part of the ridge were made available to buyers who hired their own architects and built custom homes.”

Madden, noted that there are currently 5 homes for sale in Mariner’s Ridge at an average asking price of $1,053,000. Three homes are in escrow and 6 homes sold this year at an average price of $895,000 – an increase from the 2009 low of $827,000 with 12 sales and compared to the 2006 high of $1,086,000 with 21 sales.

“The average lot size in Mariner’s Ridge is around 9,000 square feet and the average home size is around 2,100 square feet. Most homes have 3 or 4 bedrooms and approximately 1 in 6 has a pool. Over the years, many home owners have made additions or remodeled,” Madden said.

Madden’s current active listings, 4-bedroom homes with ocean views, are located on Kakiwa Place in the lower increment and Kaumoku Street on the upper ridge and priced, respectively, at $969,000 and $889,000.

Topping the price range are luxury view homes listed by East Oahu Realty Realtors Christa Gerlich and Suzanne Yen and offered at $1,199,000 and $1,099,000, respectively.