The North Shore
Waialua
After a long history as a sugar plantation community, Waialua has become the North Shore’s most diverse neighborhood with residential development ranging from oceanfront condominiums to farms and ranches inland.
The Waialua Sugar Mill has been closed since 1996, but the community that grew up around it has retained its rural ambiance and friendly atmosphere.
The fertile plains at the foot of the Waianae Mountains, former Castle & Cooke plantation lands, have been subdivided for residential use and diversified agriculture, including organic farms that produce fruits and vegetables for markets islandwide.
The old mill, which closed in the mid 1990s, is now a shopping complex with businesses owned by local residents and the site of the Waialua Farmers Market, where produce from neighborhood farms and fresh fish from the ocean are sold.
In addition to its sandy beaches and clear, reef-protected waters, features of the neighborhood include well maintained parks, a community recreation center, and a bike path that runs through the town. Commercial development is moderate due to zoning, which also affects the extent of residential development. Another attraction of the Waialua area is the proximity of highways to the airport and downtown Honolulu, eliminating the need to travel on Kam Highway.
Poamoho Estates, a recent addition to real estate options in Waialua, is offering a unique opportunity to purchase large acreage zoned for both residential and agricultural use. Developed in the late 1990s, Poamoho consists of 15 lots of five to seven acres. Roads to the property from the highway are deeded to the property owners.
Coldwell Banker Pacific Properties Realtor and Vice President Carl Higgins has recently listed a Poamoho Estates property that includes acreage dedicated to farming and a unique home designed and built by the owners in 2004.
With a land area of 217,825 square feet, the single-story home is 1,900 square feet under roof augmented by 1,380 square feet of lanai space and overlooks both ocean and mountain vistas. It includes two bedrooms, one full bath, a half bath, and a large open kitchen. A second dwelling, utilized as an artist’s studio, structures that support farming operations, and parking for numerous vehicles are also located on the property, which has won a Scenic Hawaii award for landscaping.
“Seventeen years ago owners Bernie Moriaz and Tina Jensen fell in love with the highest lot in the gated community of Poamoho Estates,” Higgins said. “The land had nothing on it when they purchased it and no water or electricity. Today, infused with the owners’ love of agriculture and art, the property has been transformed into a magical estate.
“Their custom-built home has the feeling of a turn-of-the-century farmhouse, but with modern touches.
It was created using found objects acquired by the owners over the years, each with a story of Hawaii of long ago and the area’s agriculture. For example, the steps up to the home’s expansive lanai and the columns are built with reconstructed bricks from the old Kahuku sugar mill.
“Agriculture remains a vital part of this property. The acreage, known as Ulu Wehi Farm, has many types of organic fruit-producing trees, including avocado, citrus, white Kadota fig, lychee, guava, starfruit, and grapefruit, as well as coffee. Fresh eggs are produced daily in the hen house.
“At the entrance to the property is a 26,000-square-foot nursery, Kamaaina Land Nursery Servicing. The shadehouse comes with the property if desired, and the thriving plant rental business is for sale too, but to be sold separately.
“Giant Monkey Pod trees grace the property, providing beauty and shade to the home which is accessed by a circular driveway. An outdoor pergola off the kitchen includes a table fabricated with 100-year-old lumber that seats ten. Interior furnishings feature 1940’s retro ratan sets and antiques such as the master bath’s claw-foot tub from the historic Alfred Hocking house. Off the master bedroom is a private tropical outdoor shower.”
Higgins added that the home is solidly built with cedar battens over Hardie Board siding, steel framing, and steel roofing. Walls and roof are insulated, and plantation shutters are installed on bedroom and dining room windows. Interior doors are solid cherry wood and exterior doors are solid Honduran Mahogany.
“This is a superb property for self-sustainability and a perfect oasis for those who appreciate privacy, wide open spaces, and the spirit of the North Shore. Plus, due to the Ag-1 zoning, property taxes are a low $158 a month for five acres with almost 4,000 square feet of improvements plus a half-acre shade house,” Higgins said.
The property is offered at $3,495,000 partially furnished. For a private showing, call Carl Higgins, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Pacific Properties, (808) 284-2459.
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