Georges de S. Canavarro House

The Canavarro House is a residential building featuring white stucco walls, red-tile roofing, and a central courtyard with a fountain in Mediterranean style. The cross-shaped structure has multiple floor levels that adapt to the sloping terrain and offer views toward Nuuanu Valley.

Built between 1924 and 1927 for Georges de Souza Canavarro, the son of Portugal's Consul-General in Hawaii, this home reflects the era's architectural preferences. It gained recognition on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980 and later transformed into a cultural institution.

The building now houses the Korean Cultural Center of Hawaii, where visitors can explore exhibitions about Korean independence movements and cultural heritage. The spaces serve as a gathering place for community events that keep these traditions alive.

The building sits on Rooke Avenue on the northwestern slopes of Nuuanu Valley near Oahu Country Club, requiring uphill access to reach it. Wear comfortable walking shoes as the terraced grounds and multiple levels require some navigation.

The cross-shaped floor plan was deliberately designed to work with the sloping hillside terrain and create natural sightlines toward the valley and harbor below. This unusual layout allowed architects to nestle the home into the landscape rather than imposing it upon the site.

Location: Honolulu

Architects: Hart Wood

Architectural style: Mediterranean Revival architecture

GPS coordinates: 21.34111,-157.84806

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:20