Executive Summary

228 Forest Ridge Way

Overview

228 Forest Ridge Way is a Tantalus ridgeline, Hawai‘i-modernist residence set on a full acre at the edge of the neighborhood, capturing an array of views from Diamond Head across the city and into the mountains. Set high on a prized rim lot along the outer ridgeline, the property benefits from a dramatic natural drop that opens the landscape outward, creating a sense of scale and continuity rarely found in residential settings. Designed by an architect for himself, the home prioritizes livability through natural airflow, daylong light, and spaces that function comfortably day to day. Conceived and realized by Darrell “Buck” Welch Jr. of Welch & Weeks Architects, the residence reflects a deeply considered approach to how architecture meets the land in Hawaiʻi. The architecture is inviting without being loud, defined by thoughtful details, a statement staircase, and a canopy-level office immersed in the koa trees. Following the natural slope in a three-level composition, the home allows light, wind, and view to shape the interior experience at every turn. Modern, tactile materials including hardwood, slate, and volcanic basalt create a restrained material palette reflecting upon its island setting, resulting in a home where how it lives matters as much as the view.

Key Statistics

$3.9M

OFFER PRICE

1.0030 acres

LOT SIZE

2,798 SF

HOME SIZE

3

BEDROOMS

3 full, 1 half

BATHROOMS

2023 - New

COMPLETION YEAR

  • Location: Elevated Ridgeline Lot, Tantalus

  • Architectural Style: Hawai‘i modernist architecture, designed by Darrell “Buck” Welch Jr., principal of Welch & Weeks Architects

Key Features

  • Ridgeline crest placement that functions as a natural observatory while remaining calm and livable

  • Borrowed landscape panorama encompassing Diamond Head, the Koʻolau ridgelines, Honolulu’s urban skyline, Pearl Harbor, and western horizons

  • Full-acre parcel at the outer edge of the neighborhood, offering scale uncommon this close to the urban core

  • Adjacency to state conservation land, reinforcing the natural character of the setting

  • Modern tropical architecture shaped by climate, light, and daily use

    • Open-concept great room with kitchen flowing naturally into dining and living areas

    • Gracious, well-scaled entryway with slate flooring

    • Main level with two private bedroom suites and en-suite baths

    • Second-level bedroom suite with sliding glass doors opening to the yard and a kitchenette with sink and mini-fridge

    • Third-level office positioned at canopy height, offering a treehouse-like outlook into the surrounding koa trees

    • Vaulted ceilings and cantilevered ceiling moments within the stairway

    • Staircase window seat and reading nook

    • Extensive windows positioned to frame views while supporting comfort and airflow

    • Sculptural stairway designed as a vertical anchor rather than a transitional space

    • Cantilevered ceiling geometry and natural light create a sense of rhythm and openness

    • Integrated gallery niches built directly into the stair walls, scaled to display curated personal collections

    • Reading nook and window seat transform circulation into a livable, reflective moment

    • GE appliances

    • Open kitchen design oriented toward daily use and entertaining

    • Slate flooring at the entry

    • Concrete flooring in kitchen and living areas

    • Hardwood flooring throughout remaining living spaces

    • Tile flooring in bathrooms

    • Linear wood-paneled ceilings

    • Wood-burning fireplace with textured volcanic basalt (lava rock) surround

    • Built-in bookcases, cabinetry, display cases, and shelving throughout

    • Located along the historic Tantalus ridgeline, long regarded as one of Honolulu’s most private and tightly held residential enclaves

    • Ridgeline placement captures cooler temperatures and consistent trade winds relative to the coastal urban core

    • Old-growth koa trees form a forested canopy that provides privacy and frames the city below

    • Fresh air, breezes, and birdsong define the soundscape

    • The setting transitions from bright daytime panoramas to layered city light after sunset

    • Approximately 15–20 minutes from Downtown Honolulu