Hale Makanahele

Kilauea, Kaua’i

Project Team

Architecture: Noho Workshop Images: Bloomimages

Project Brief

Hale Makanahele, meaning house of the forest people, draws its name from the Hawaiian understanding of the wild—untamed, of the wilderness, and deeply rooted in the forest. The project is conceived as a quiet, timeless refuge nestled within the Hawaiian jungle, grounded in the vernacular of the traditional thatched hale and guided by principles of restraint, material honesty, and a deep respect for climate and place. The structure is intentionally humble and elemental, prioritizing age, shadow, and craft over polish or perfection.

Natural wood posts rise directly from stone footings, expressing a direct relationship to the earth and recalling pre-modern building traditions shaped by necessity and environment. Above, a thick thatched roof forms both shelter and identity, its depth and texture fully legible from within. Exposed purlins and layered thatching define the interior ceiling, allowing the construction itself to become ornament—irregular, tactile, and expressive of the hands that built it.

The result is a dwelling that feels both ancient and intimate: a lived-in shelter shaped by climate, craft, and restraint, where Hawaiian tradition and a reverence for the natural world converge in a deeply grounded, contemplative place—true to the spirit of Hale Makanahele.