On the slopes above Kealakekua Bay, the lanai at 81-853 Makahiki Lane blurs the line between house and horizon.
Sheltered yet open, it’s not simply an outdoor space, it’s the home’s emotional center, the place where mornings begin with Kona coffee and evenings close in color and quiet.
Framed by handcrafted columns and the shimmer of the infinity-edge pool, this ocean-facing lanai extends the architecture outward, turning the landscape into living art.
Designed for the Elements
The lanai was built with Kona’s microclimate in mind, angled for prevailing breezes, shaded from high sun, and aligned precisely to capture the arc of the Pacific. Its orientation creates a constant conversation with the environment: light filters through palms, wind drifts through open beams, and every sunset becomes part of the architecture itself.
Smooth stone flooring echoes the textures of the surrounding lava rock, while broad thresholds erase barriers between interior living and the boundless outdoors.
Where Life Unfolds Naturally
Throughout the day, the lanai shifts purpose with the rhythm of the island. At sunrise, it’s a meditation space, bathed in soft light and the scent of lychee and mango blossoms from the orchard below. At noon, it becomes a shaded dining terrace, cooled by trade winds. At dusk, it transforms again, a front-row seat to the spectacle of Kona’s golden hour, when the ocean mirrors the sky and the day exhales into stillness.
For gatherings or solitude, it is endlessly adaptable, proof that the best rooms often have no walls at all.
In Harmony with the Landscape
From the lanai, the estate’s five acres unfold like a private botanical garden. Coffee trees trace the hillside, fruit trees thrive in every direction, and beyond it all, the Pacific stretches to infinity.
Just steps away, the pool reflects the shifting light, forming a perfect dialogue between water, air, and structure. It’s a composition of movement and stillness, architecture in tune with the island’s natural score.
Built for Modern Island Living
While its serenity feels timeless, the lanai is supported by modern innovation. The property’s 29 owned photovoltaic panels power the estate sustainably, while a 10 kW battery backup and Level 2 EV charger ensure comfort and continuity. It’s island living refined by foresight, a space that embodies the rare balance of beauty and practicality.
A View That Never Ends
From this perch, you can glimpse Pu‘uhonua o Hōnaunau, the sacred Place of Refuge, and the cobalt expanse of Kealakekua Bay. On quiet evenings, the songs of whales carry on the breeze.
To sit here is to understand why Hawai‘i’s greatest architects design for flow, to let the island itself complete the composition.
FAQs About Outdoor Living in South Kona
What makes the lanai at 81-853 Makahiki Lane unique?
Its panoramic ocean views, seamless integration with the pool and living areas, and architectural orientation for airflow and sunlight.
How does the design enhance comfort?
Angled for trade-wind ventilation and shaded for year-round use, the lanai remains temperate and inviting from morning to sunset.
Is the lanai part of the main structure?
Yes. It serves as an open-air extension of the home’s living room, connected through wide pocket doors that erase the indoor-outdoor divide.
What can be seen from the lanai?
Expansive views of Kealakekua Bay, the surrounding orchard, and the rolling slopes of South Kona, all framed by Hawai‘i’s changing light.
Looking for a home where the outdoors feels like part of the design?
Contact Marco A. Silva to explore 81-853 Makahiki Lane, a South Kona estate where the lanai becomes the heart of everyday island living.