Ka Hale Opua - Aloha, E Komo Mai
In Hawaii...
it is traditional for a home to have a name. "Ka Hale Opua" (the name of this house) means "The house beneath the clouds". More specifically "Opua" is the Hawaiian word for narrow pointed clouds; the clouds commonly found forming on the mountain of Hualalai, where this home is located.
Though it is common...
for clouds to form around the top of Hualalai mountain, "Ka Hale Opua" could have also been named "Ka Hale La" (The house beneath the sun), because it's more likely to be basking in warm tropical sunshine. Along with the clouds, sunshine, and warm gentle (brief) rain showers, you'll see big beautiful rainbows - everything a tropical paradise is expected to be.
The Islands of Hawaii...
are a series of ancient volcanoes, and Hualalai mountain (a dormant volcano), is located on the western side of the Big Island. Hualalai gently rises above the beautiful coastal town of Kailua-Kona and is also home to the farms which grow world famous "Kona Coffee". Kailua-Kona is a cruise ship destination, so a "typical" (spectacular!) sunset often includes a cruise ship in the bay, or sailing toward the horizon.
This website...
is intended to showcase the house. What's not completely captured here is the "home", a home filled with joy, beautiful music, delicious foods, great wines, and the laughter of friends and family. It's from personal experience that I can speak of this, and the wonderful hospitality!
- Ed (web designer/friend)