Touring Honolulu's Historic Homes

Be inspired by these three design-forward residences.

Author

The Edit Hawaii
August 22, 2025

Aloha friend,

We mentioned shaking up routine’s in last week’s newsletter, and we’re doubling down this week. We’re sharing more about three inspiring homes in Honolulu that are yours to explore. Perhaps you’ve been already, or you just keep putting it off, thinking you’ll go someday…Go! Be inspired! You will be, we promise.

More events and happenings below, too.

Have fun,
The Edit Hawaii team

DESIGN OF THE TIMES

A quick walk through Honolulu will yield a multitude of architectural influences, from Chinatown’s historical blocks to the midcentury modern breeze block apartments that line the streets of Makiki, Kaimuki and Waikiki. Manoa Valley boasts a mix of Japanese plantation homes and Victorian estates, while downtown is home to Brutalist icons and regrettable ‘90s constructions.

The three historic homes below were built in vastly different eras, and as such, they offer a glimpse into Hawaii’s architectural landscape through the ages.

Liljestrand House’s famous kidney-shaped pool was also designed by Ossipoff.
Photo courtesy of Liljestrand Foundation

LILJESTRAND HOUSE
A mix of modern and natural materials, attention to airflow, and seamless integration of the surroundings are hallmarks of well-known midcentury modern architect Vladimir Ossipoff’s designs. Experience the beauty of his imagination first-hand with a tour of his famous Liljestrand House, built in 1952. Located on the slopes of Mount Tantalus, the house is a stunning example of East-meets-West design. The house also holds a Design Conversation Series with visiting renowned architects. 
90-minute group tours from $50
liljestrandhouse.org

SHANGRI LA
Billionaire tobacco heiress Doris Duke was the richest woman in the world in the 1930s. During her far-flung world travels, she landed in Hawaii and fell in love with the islands (and one of its most famous residents—she took Hawaiian surfer and icon Duke Kahanamoku as a lover), building a palatial home on the shore of Diamond Head. Over a period of 60 years, she collected and filled the house with Islamic and Southeast Asian treasures. While her life was filled with wealth, adventure, and intrigue, she died alone and heir-less, and willed the estate to become a foundation for Islamic art. Plan ahead as the tours are usually booked months in advance, though the foundation is expanding its access, and offering special kamaaina pricing.
October tour tickets will go live on Sept. 4 at 10am
shangrilahawaii.org 

IOLANI PALACE
The only official royal palace in the United States is flanked by a mix of modern office buildings and historical landmarks. The stately Iolani Palace was home to King Kalakaua and later to his sister, Queen Liliuokalani, who was imprisoned in the palace after the Hawaiian monarchy was overthrown in 1895. After serving as the government capital for 80 years, the palace was restored to its original regal glory in 1970. You feel like you’ve stepped back in time when you see the estate as it was as a royal residence, when it hosted visiting dignitaries for lavish events.
Docent-led tours are $20, self-led audio tours start at $12
iolanipalace.org

Hawaii Island

Kauai

Maui

Oahu

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