HISTORY

The Kilohana Estate dates back to 1896, when plantation manager Albert Spencer Wilcox, one of the original missionary families, first developed it as a working cattle ranch. His nephew, Gaylord Parke Wilcox, took over in 1936, building Kauai’s first mansion. The house was designed by the renowned British architect, Mark Potter and the home was unusually modern for it’s time. The furnishings were purchased from Gump’s of San Francisco, and the lumber was all shipped from the west coast.

Today the 16,000-square-foot Kauai mansion has been lovingly resorted to it’s former 1930’s beauty and style and now houses specialty shops, art galleries, and Gaylord’sflua, a beautiful restaurant with breathtaking courtyard seating. Nearly half the original furnishings remain, and the gardens and orchards were replanted according to the original plans. Kilohana sits in the middle of 35 acres of pasture, manicured grounds, gardens and natural growth.

As you leave Lihue heading southwest on highway 50, look to your right and you will see Kilohana across the pasture where gentle Clydesdales, a donkey and other animals graze. The curving driveway leads to the front door of the home and beyond to the parking area. You can tour these historic grounds for free and browse through the unique shops that are nestled in the beautifully restored rooms and quaint guest cottages.

Useful Information:

• Admission to the restored house is FREE
• Open 9:30am – 9:30pm, Monday thru Saturday;
• Open 9:30am – 3pm, Sunday
  22 North. Under the direction of Chef de Cuisine Aaron Leikam
• Unique boutiques, country stores and galleries are open to the public