Unique Homes

Your Special Island? Come See the Beautiful Bali Hai Villa in Hawaii

By Lisa Johnson Mandell
Nov 1, 2017
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The movie version of Rodgers and Hammerstein‘s classic “South Pacific” was filmed decades ago. Even if you haven’t seen or heard a note from this tale of love amid the islands, we’ve found a home that will take your breath away.

Bali Hai has a well-deserved reputation as an island paradise. If you’re among the uninitiated, here are a few of the lyrics from the musical’s haunting song “Bali Hai”:

Bali Hai will whisper
On the wind of the sea:
Here am I, your special island!
Come to me, come to me!

But that lush movie locale required real-life inspiration. And now that Hanalei‘s unique Bali Hai Villa is on the market for $14.9 million, the special island setting could become a reality for a deep-pocketed buyer. This unique property is adjacent to where the movie was filmed and has a breathtaking, unobstructed view of Makana Mountain—the landmark green slopes that stood in for Bali Hai in the film.

The 3.71-acre parcel includes “one of the best beaches anywhere on the planet,” says listing broker Matt Beall of Hawaii Life Real Estate Brokers, Christie’s International Real Estate. He says the beach is unrivaled for its fine white sand; the warm, crystal-clear water; and the numerous beach and ocean activities available.
And then there’s the villa itself: Built in 1983, the 10-bedroom, 11.5-bath home is designed in classic Hawaiian style, with plenty of bamboo and teak, skylights, ceiling fans, and sunset views—many of them visible from built-in window seats.

“It was clearly built for entertainment,” says Beall. During the open house for brokers, he adds, many people brought their children, and a soccer game ensued on the massive lawn.

And for those who can’t head home on the Kuhio Highway after a raucous party, there’s a three-bedroom cottage on the premises they can crash in.

The property is surrounded by stunning mountains and spectacular waterfalls, all within short hiking distance. It’s no wonder songs have been written about it.

“This property is ideal for someone who has a true appreciation for Hawaii and the lifestyle,” says Beall. Its location “at the end of the road on the North Shore of Hawaii” is ideal for someone who craves privacy.

It’s about 15 minutes from the center of Hanalei, which is less than one square mile in size and has a population of about 450.

“It’s so perfectly situated for the sea, the sun, the wind, the beach, the views. It’s one of the most spectacular properties in the state,” says Beall.

Lisa Johnson Mandell is a writer for Realtor.com. She is also the founder and editor of AtHomeInHollywood.com and co-host of “Movies and More,” a nationally syndicated radio show. She is a film critic at Rotten Tomatoes and has appeared on a number of TV news shows, including on BBC, PBS, Fox, ABC, CBS, CNN, and NBC. She has written three books, and her work has appeared in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, and Los Angeles Times. She has launched several entertainment websites for major corporations and has worked for Yahoo, AOL, HGTV, and News Corp. Lisa earned a B.A. in journalism from Brigham Young University. A fifth-generation Los Angelena, Lisa currently lives in Las Vegas with her husband and their giant labradoodle named Frankie Feldman.