It's not just the surf that's getting an upgrade on the Windward side of Oahu, as the historic Boettcher Estate at Kalama Beach Park is set to begin a significant roof reconstruction starting in January 2026. The Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation has announced the project, which aims to preserve the building's original design while addressing the wear and tear of time on the cedar shingles, as detailed by the City and County of Honolulu recent news release.
The estate, a fixture on the National Register of Historic Places since it was designed by notable architect Vladimir Ossipoff in 1936, has seen better days. The DPR is throwing $1.2 million at the project, which has been entrusted to Moriyama Construction, as reported by the City and County of Honolulu.
Now, everyone knows that Kailua Beach is to beachgoers what catnip is to, well, cats. And smack dab in the middle is the 4.28-acre Kalama Beach Park, crowned by the Boettcher Estate. Since the city snagged the property in 1979 at a steal – a measly $150,000 thanks to a sizable gift from Mae Boettcher and some handy federal grant money – it's high time for a little TLC, according to the City and County of Honolulu.
The revamp isn't just about slapping on some new shingles and calling it a day. The Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation has plans to reactivate underused areas of the building, expanding the potential for recreational space along the idyllic shoreline. While certain parts of the estate are already busy with Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation staff, community meetings, and classes ranging from yoga to lei-making, there's a push to make full use of the venue's sprawling potential. According to the City and County of Honolulu statement, the Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation is also all ears for community support or philanthropic organizations looking to pitch in on further restoration efforts.
As for those requiring specific accommodations due to disabilities or language differences when engaging with the Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation on this matter, they're asking that contact be made via phone at (808) 768-3003 during business hours or email to [email protected] with at least a three-business-day heads up before the scheduled event, as per the City and County of Honolulu.
