Open house pick of the week: Lanikai

People often think of Lanikai as an uber-exclusive, upscale neighborhood in Kailua, with homes out of most mortals’ reach. On some levels, that may be true, but if you take a jog through the area (yes, on foot), you’ll see that there are various older kamaaina homes in the mix, as well.

One that flies below the radar is right on Aalapapa Dr. (click here for details), but is set about 200 feet back. The 1,455-square-foot cottage, built in 1953, sits on a 10,000-square-foot lot and is surrounded by lush landscaping.

“I’ve been at this home on July 4 and it’s so quiet, despite the road traffic. You wouldn’t know you were that close to the beach,” says realtor Tanya Hawkins, who is the open house sitter this weekend. “When you sit on the back lanai, you feel like you’ve escaped to a secret garden.”

The flexible floor plan has three bedrooms and one bath, plus one bedroom and one bath in a separate studio with its own entrance, kitchenette, and patio area.

It’s also got a big yard on the side for gardening, lounging, or whatever you need to do to escape the hustle and bustle of downtown Honolulu.

Happy house hunting!

Money talk: $1,165,000 fee simple
Contact: Anne Oliver, Coldwell Banker Pacific Properties, 808-748-3480, AnneO@cbpacific.com
Tanya Hawkins, Coldwell Banker Pacific Properties, 808-753-9757, TanyaH@cbpacific.com