The Property
One acre in Waianae, O'ahu — purchased March 2025. Four existing homes, decades of overgrowth, and a lot of work ahead. This is a restoration project, not a subdivision: every structure on the property is being kept, repaired, and modernized rather than torn down.
Before — overgrown, March 2025
Progress — cleared & planted, 2026
Different areas of the property, shown to illustrate the transformation underway — not the same exact spot.
Four Homes, One Acre
Unit A
WWII-era 2 bedroom / 1 bath Quonset hut, in active use as a home.
Unit B
WWII-era 2 bedroom / 1 bath Quonset hut, in active use as a home.
Unit C
100-year-old 3 bedroom / 1 bath plantation cottage, in active use as a home.
Unit D
100-year-old 4 bedroom / 1.5 bath plantation cottage — being renovated to 3 bedroom / 2 bath while occupied.
Land Projects
Before any home could be restored, the land itself needed years of neglect undone — clearing, grading, fencing, water, and the first plantings of what this property will grow into.
Front lot — new moss rock wall
New farm fence, cleared and leveled grounds
Unit C — cesspool replaced with new 1,500-gallon septic
Clearing & Grading
- Cleared the entire property of kiawe trees, razor grass, and accumulated trash
- Leveled and brought in new topsoil for the back of the property and around Unit D
Fencing & Walls
- Installed a farm fence along the side of the property, from the back to Unit D
- Built a new moss rock wall across the front of the property
- Installed a farm fence between the front area and Unit A
Irrigation & Grounds
- Installed in-ground irrigation from the back of the property to Unit D
- Established Bermuda grass in the back of the property and around Unit D all the way to Unit C
Planting
- Started planting fruit-bearing trees — breadfruit, banana, and dragon fruit — in the back of the property
- Planted areca palms and ti leaf between Unit D and Unit C
Infrastructure
- Replaced Unit C's failing cesspool with a new 1,500-gallon septic system
House Renovations
Units A, B, and C are occupied and in active use, with renovations still ahead. Unit D — Mark and Joy's own residence — is the first full renovation, converting from a 4 bedroom / 1.5 bath home to a 3 bedroom / 2 bath home while occupied.
Demolition — floor joists and framing removed
Master suite — new framing and subfloor
New load-balanced electrical panel
New sliding door, replacing the old 36-inch back door
New back lanai, framing
New concrete sidewalk and stairs
New siding and windows
Unit D — In Progress
Structural
- Demolished all bedroom drywall, old electrical, and rotten/termite-eaten wood — beams, floor joists, and ceilings
- Leveled the house and installed new supporting beams, posts, floor joists, and subfloor
Master Suite
- Converted two bedrooms and a half bath on the left side into a master suite, full bathroom, and walk-in closet
- Framed, wired, and ready for insulation, waterproofing, and drywall
Electrical
- New outlets and wiring in all bedrooms
- Installed a new electric panel and established a load-balanced electrical plan
- New circuits for the relocated laundry, new hot water heater, and hot tub
Back Lanai & Exterior
- Removed the old 36" back door and installed a sliding door
- Removed the small back porch and built a new back lanai spanning the full length of the house, 12 feet wide
- Relocated the washer, dryer, and a brand-new hot water heater from the side of the house to the new lanai, with new electric for all three
- Built a new concrete sidewalk and stairs from the lanai along the left side of the house to the front driveway
- Demolished all siding and windows and installed new siding and windows with custom-built window sills and trim
Garage & Outdoor
- New siding on the garage openings, a relocated and new exterior door, and new electric wiring
- Installed a hot tub behind the garage with a new dedicated circuit
Security
- Installed 3 solar-powered security cameras and solar-powered motion-sensor lighting
Any new construction on the property will match the existing plantation cottage style — this isn't about modernizing the look, it's about keeping the character of Hawai'i country living intact while making these homes safe, efficient, and built to last another century.
Want to see it in motion? Full walkthroughs of the land clearing, the Unit D renovation, and everything in between are on our YouTube channel.