European style with island touches

At first glance, the home on the corner of Diamond Head Rd. and Coconut Ave. is very European, with a Mediterranean-style structure, columns, and tiling. But the touches throughout remind you that this is definitely spot in tropical Hawaii.

Of course, it helped that realtor Kapono Beamer — who is best known as an Island entertainer — had Hawaii slack key master George Kuo playing at his broker’s open yesterday, to help set the ambience. Even without the added musical touch, however, the home still exuded local style.

The most prominent feature is its pool, just outside the kitchen, which is shaped and landscaped like a tropical oasis. It’s a little small, so it looks like a pond, but it’s deep enough for a relaxing dip surrounded by shady palms, ferns, and lava rock.

Although the MLS says the home was built in 1927, very little of the original structure is left. It underwent a massive renovation in 2004, which is why it looks like new.

The sprawling first floor living area is made for entertaining, with an open flow from living room to dining room to kitchen. Three of the four bedrooms and baths are located upstairs, which is like another living area in itself. There’s an open area at the top of the stairs connecting the rooms that’s big enough to gather or study; outside, there are two connecting lanais that are as big as most regular people’s living rooms. The owners were big into the art scene here, so the concept of quality outdoor living is clearly just as important as indoor living.

Indeed, it’s right on the path that weekend runners and bikers take, and is steps away from the beach, so taking advantage of Hawaii life is convenient in this location.

Money talk: $2,600,000 fee simple

Contact: Kapono Beamer, Prudential Locations, 808-285-4767, Kapono.Beamer@pruhawaii.com