Hale Ohia Tract
One of the first areas to be developed in the village, was the Hale Ohia tract, where a number of homes were built by “summer people” — plantation managers and others who could afford a second home away from the summer heat of lower elevations. Today, the tract — which is now bisected by Highway 11 — contains a number of distinctive homes built in a variety of architectural styles that recall a much different era. Walk down the narrow lane from its start flanked by two lava rock pillars on the Old Volcano Road and you’ll find a plantation inspired cottage, a Craftsman bungalow, a plantation-style manager’s home, a simple rectangular home with protected lanai, and one of the earliest log cabins known to be built in Hawaii. And they’re all nestled into a narrow, tree-lined street with large front yards not usually found in rural areas. The oldest of the homes were built in the 1920s and 30s. Even the more modern homes on the street are built in a way that doesn’t detract from the historic neighborhood setting.
Mr. Terry’s Log Cabin
A teacher from Kamehameha Schools and leader of the Hilo Boys Club, a Mr. Terry, is believed to be the first to build on the street, with construction of his log cabin around 1918, although one of the logs in the house is dated 1901, with Terry’s name carved into it. Terry reportedly built the cabin one log at a time, with the help of paniolo from the Shipman ranch, who later used the house as a way station. The rounded ohia logs were notched and interlocked at the corners, with The second story of the home was added a little later in a shingled wall construction and intersecting steeply pitched metal gable roof. Inside, the rough-hewn ohia wood beams and columns are exposed and and the winding staircase leading to the seance floor has chia railings. There’s also wooden floors and doors and a lava rock fireplace.
Tutu’s Place
The nearby single-story wood frame residence suit on post and pier foundation was built in 1929 by the Kimi family for their tutu (grandmother), and has been known as ]Tutu’s Place ever since. From the the road, Tutu's Place appears to be a small cottage, but there is is a basement accessible from the back of the property, and an upstairs level that has a the living room, two bedrooms, a bathroom, and a third bedroom that was converted into a kitchen with a large stained-glass window. Architecturally its designed seems to be inspired by a plantation cottage with a prominent from entry porch covered by a projecting gable roof typical of many older Hilo homes,
Ludloff Place
Surrounded by large tsugi pine and 0hia trees, the single-story Ludloff Place was built in 1938 by the Ludloff, family who came to Hawaii from Germany and established the Crescent City Cracker Company in Hilo, lame famous for its Saloon Pilot and Hilo Cream Crackers. The family had a Hilo home designed by a. Famous architect Hart Wood, but they used to Hale Ohia home as a vacation retreat.
Ka'u Plantation Manager's Vacation Home , 1932
One of the best existing examples of the Craftsman style homes built in Volcano in the 1930s, the house features two lava rock pedestals at the porte cochere, curved lava rock railings at the entry, clapboard siding and six-over-six double-hung windows . Also typical of the Craftsman style are the decorative, exposed rafter ends and the post and pier foundation surrounded by a lattice skirt. The lava rock chimney has a touch of Art Deco to its design. The hipped roof has a slight double pitch, which is echoed in the projecting pitch roof over the porte cochere . The porte cochere and a centered outset porch, defined by square columns with centered chimney give this modest Craftsman bungalow an air of formality. French doors lead to the central living area with dining and kitchen on one side and bedrooms on the other. The interior maintains a hardwood floor, battened walls and ceiling and picture rails throughout the living and dining areas.
Ola'a Plantation Manager's 1935
Like the Ka' u Plantation Manager's vacation home, this tongue and groove, hipped roof, house, built on a fairly high post and pier foundation with a lattice skirt, features a large porte cochere with decorative rafter ends and lava rock pedestals. Protected by the overhang of the porte cochere is the stepped entrance to the house defined by lava rock walls with concrete caps. Six-lite casement windows and panel columns distinguish this house. A cantilevered addition with a shed roof was added on the south side of the house. This house is also inspired by the Craftsman bungalow style prevalent in the middle management level of plantation housing.
A plantation inspired cottage, a Craftsman style bungalow, a plantation-style manager’s home, a simple rectangular home with protected lanai and one of the earliest log cabins known to be built in Hawaii. And they’re all nestled into a narrow, tree-lined street
Ohia Cottage 1938
This simple, rectangular house features a lateral running gable with an extended shed over the entry lanai. It is sited far back of the property such that a large front lawn is apparent. A ramp was added to the front lanai, but the interior of this three bedroom, one bathroom house remains remarkably intact, including the porcelain kitchen sink, panel doors, hardware and built-in cabinets. Tongue and groove single wall construction with original two-over-two double hung windows and a brick chimney are typical elements of the Volcano Village summer retreat.
