At one point, I decided that I was bored with sleeping out on the screen porch while visiting my friends in the old-style southeastern district of Hawaii known as Puna. They suggested I look for a building lot in the well-regarded subdivision of Hawaiian Paradise Park and build what I needed and wanted. I found an acre located between the major roads for a quiet and privacy, and in that perfect zone between the darker upland jungle and the more barren salt-spray-singed coastal strip. It felt right.

Although fully landscaped with a carpet of lush ferns and clusters of spherical mango trees and towering ohias, we quickly made select upgrades to the flora. We relied on Rozette’s Nursery located within HPP to score anthurium flowers in traditional red, plus purple, white, and Kalapana-style red-green blend. These thrived in the shady places under the mangoes. Staghorn ferns were hung in several places on tree trunks, and coconut palms were placed strategically as focal points and shade providers. Guava bushes and passionfruit vines are now thriving and avocado trees are yielding fruit seasonally like the mangoes. A select variety of bamboo was planted for creating a privacy screen between two lots as well as being a source of building and decorating material

Going back to my early-career training as a surveyor’s apprentice, I walked the land with a machete to clear exploratory paths and then sketched out a topological survey. At this point, my decades of architectural experience helped me to analyze the virgin land to determine the optimum building site for a home. There were two obvious spots for building: the main location between the first and second mango grove, and a smaller, secluded spot beyond the second grove. That spot has been graded and prepared for an ohana, for which plans are available on request.

Once the building pad was set and the environmental influences experienced firsthand, it was the time to pick an appropriate building system. Where Hawaii is known as a benevolent environment, it still has the issues of rain, wind and corrosion to which buildings must be attuned. Our research led us to use materials and finishes in ways that were not common practice, but now are clearly a better fit to the site than the lazy “same old stuff” choices.

The building footprints were kept to a basic geometry for structural efficiency and economy of construction. Multi-story building raised the floors to catch more breeze and provide added security, and required judicious engineering using efficient steel and composite framing. The orientation and shape allowed for cross ventilation and optimized positioning for solar, water heating and photovoltaic installations.

The construction utilizes a hybrid system of steel framing, along with IMP, insulated metal panels. These prefinished, structural parts offer strength, comfort, and decreased maintenance as they have a commercial-grade resin coating. Concrete-filled steel decking equal to commercial highrise construction was used to eliminate squeaky wood floors and moldy drywall ceilings

The foundations were based on the layout of catchment water tanks which were structural elements integrated into the house plans. These tanks were made from a unique ICF material that makes insulated structural concrete walls. This is why the water storage is cool even on the hottest days. Multiple filtration systems and dental-office-type sterilization machines make the water clean, safe, and very good for your skin, as no chlorine is used. A solar heated shower at the end of a day is a guilt-free treat, as the water and heating it are free

Finishing the homes, we used fiber cement panels instead of plywood and drywall, the common materials which are subject to mold and deterioration. This was a more difficult installation, but it was safer, healthier, and gives the rooms a more solid physicality

We were generous with windows, and as we mentioned before, our strategy was to minimize the need for mechanical air conditioning. We have both the cross ventilation and stack effect (allowing vertical pathways ways for rising warm air to exit above) working, along with other elements to naturally cool the homes.

All of this work was innovative when these homes were permitted, and still local builders have not caught up. I trained my own contractors and crews usingdecades of hands-on construction experience. The materials and methods that I imported to the islands are still resisted by the wood-frame builder hui (an economic gang). This is why there are no comps of other homes in the neighborhood for gauging value. There are no other homes like these is a statement of fact, not a boast

Although there is still an industrial or high-tech vibe to the designs, we did not leave them completely unadorned. We found local suppliers for natural bamboo which is a featured interior trim and finish element. We imported specialized fabrics and coatings along with some tropical furniture finds to create fun and lyrical spaces.

A new owner or owners will be easing into these comfortable and secure tropical homes, and have a few advantages over her neighbors.  These benefits and savings include affordable homeowners insurance, simple maintenance, and minimal operating costs.  Not quantifiable is the feeling of living in the only award-winning architect’s designs in the area.

The homes are ready to occupy, furnished and running with energy saving appliances.  There is art on the walls.  High speed cable internet is prewired.

Both lots have private spaces to add ADU’s plus, at Keoni IV, an extra bedroom suite.  2025 will see a jump in the value of larger land parcels as legislation will allow for up to two ADU’s (locally known as ‘ohanas’) on each parcel.  Plans are available upon request from the architect for these projects. Solar electric panels are easily added to the smaller home which has the mounting structure and conduit in place for a simple installation. Drawings and specifications for adding air conditioning to Keoni IV will be provided by the seller.  These homes can grow with the needs of the owners.  Existing and proposed spaces can host grow-your-own gardens if the local vendors don’t stock the produce you desire.

These homes have weathered hurricanes and earthquakes without damage and will outlast the standard developers’ products.  Each has concrete and steel safe rooms for the ultimate and security. They will never require tenting or poisoning to deal with termites. These homes will outlast last a standard home by decadeswhile selling for 1/3 LESS based on a per square foot comparison. You can enjoy the aesthetics, feel the spirit, and still make the accountant inside your head very happy.

These properties are located in lava zone 3, which is the same risk factor as the town of Kailua-Kona on the bustling west side of the island.  Homeowners’ insurance is readily available and affordable.  Site is 500’ above sea level.

This location features the peace and quiet of the country within an easy drive of all city services.  The well-regarded Malama School within the park offers scholarships to residents.  Music and drama classes (for the keiki) are currently taught at the sites.  Clean, fresh air arrives via the trade winds across the north Pacific from Alaska.  Both homes have independent rainwater collection and processing systems that feature alkaline containment for perfect drinking taste and bathing comfort.

Aloha,

John Maloney, Architect
Culver City and Keaau
johnmaloney3@mac.com

The architect of these homes is currently completing plans for fireproof homes torebuild the Lahaina community on nearby Maui. He has been honored by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development for designing affordable homesin South Los Angeles and by Metal Architecture Magazine for his work with alternative materials.  He is a graduate of the College of Environmental Design at UC Berkeley, a former instructor of architecture and methods of construction, and a retired general building contractor.