We believe there is no experience like that of authentic Hawaii. The Robertson Estate was built in an era when homes were self sufficient. 

 

It was the end of World War II. William (Robbie) and Marjorie Robertson had lived and worked on the island for nearly twenty years. were looking for a vacation home. At the time, William was working for a sugar farm in Pa’auilo, located on the Hamakua Coast of Hawaii. Some place nice and quiet they could spend their weekends. They got in their car, and drove over rough roads that were only one lane wide, to the small fishing town of Kailua Kona.  The town of Kailua boasted a pier, an ice house, a gas station, two stores, the Kona Inn and Hulihe'e Palace. It was an ideal spot for a vacation home. 

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They chose a lovely site on a small beach, known for its sheltered lagoon. The waters were teeming with small fish and other sea life, a perfect place where their son Ian could learn to swim and snorkel. The property would be protected from rough surf by a large point. There was a small schoolhouse on the property they could use as until they built their vacation home. 

 

Building the Estate would prove challenging.  In the aftermath of WWII, there was a shortage of labor and building materials on the Island. Then, in 1946, a huge tsunami devastated the Hamakua Coast, knocking out some of the railroad bridges that had spanned the gulches.  Robbie purchased the redwood lumber, a rarity in hawaii, from a fallen span, and had it trucked to Kona.

 

A year later, a massive labor strike halted work across the island. At the time, Robbie was the manager at Pa’auilo sugar farm.Robbie asked for, and received permission from the owners of the plantation to employ some of the striking workers. Robbie hired his superintendents, David Kailimai, and Hiroshi Hiramoto to oversee the building of the house. David arranged for a Hawaiian kahu to perform the traditional blessing of the project. David’s crews put in the driveways, built the foundation, dug the well, put in the septic system, and installed the water storage tanks. Hiroshi’s carpenters erected the post and beam frame, installed the flooring, siding and canec interior walls and ceilings. All the doors windows, cabinets and mill work were handcrafted on site. In several months the house was completed. 

 

Any home had to be completely self sufficient. Kailua had no electricity, no telephones, no sewer, no public water supply. The four bedroom home is built in the classic Hawaiian mauka – makai (mountain – ocean) fashion.  It is one room deep with 10 foot high ceilings designed to capture the sea breeze during the day and the mountain air at night. Each room has cooling cross ventilation and a view of the ocean. The shady outdoor lanai provides extraordinary views of the ocean and the Kona Coast and has always been the perfect spot for morning coffee, evening cocktails and anytime comfort to settle down with a good book.    Paintings by Robbie and friends hang on the walls.  They brought some furniture from the Plantation Manager’s house in Pa‘auilo; other pieces are Marjorie’s heirlooms.William and Marjorie spent many happy years on the house.

 

In the 1990's, the family decided to open up their home to visitors, and transform it into vacation rental. At the time, it was one of the very first in all of Kona. The family used to attend trade shows as the only home for rent. We are happy to be able to share our home with you, your families, and your friends.  You, our wonderful guests, have enjoyed family reunions, beautiful weddings, honeymoons, and restful vacations. This is our place for rejuvenation, and now it is yours as well