A Perfect Spot to Settle Down
Revisit a former state leader’s eclectic and artsy home remodel.
If the walls of the home featured in our August 2017 cover story could talk, they’d tell stories of international travel, civic achievements, and intellectual discourses with renowned world leaders. Neil Abercrombie, a former Hawaii governor and U.S. representative, and his wife Nancie Caraway, invited Hawaii Home + Remodeling into their Manoa residence seven years ago for a photo shoot that still provides readers with inspiration today.
While Abercrombie and Caraway spent years immersed in their careers — he in politics and she in academia — they rented a Manoa apartment for more than two decades before finding their forever home. A modest, 1970s-era house in their favorite neighborhood, with a breathtaking view and a charming bougainvillea tree, turned out to be the perfect spot.
“This was going to be our little jewel box in Manoa,” said Caraway in the original print story. “It was a spiritual-, aesthetic- and community-driven journey of the heart — it really was.”
An extensive renovation by Mason Architects and interior designer Dana Johnston transformed the house into a vibrant reflection of the couple’s personalities and experiences. Thoughtful design choices — like the Tibetan-themed master bath with its hand-painted cloud motif — show how personal touches can make a house feel like a home. Each room tells a story, from the colorful kitchen to the media room filled with Abercrombie’s extensive collection of books and photos.
“When I’m there thinking, reading, figuring things out, I’m looking at my picture of me and [former U.S. Rep.] Patsy Mink,” said Abercrombie.
Their residence serves as a respite and reminder of dreams realized and memories made. “The operative emotion and sentiment here is gratitude,” said Caraway. “We just cannot believe that we are so lucky.”
Editor’s Note: This article has been slightly modified from the original print version for optimal online reading. To view the full print story, pick up your copy of Hawaii Home + Remodeling at one of our partner locations.
