The Eclectic ‘Hilltop Hale’: A Look Back

Midcentury modern furniture, funky artwork, thrifted décor — it’s all there, and more, in the Kaimuki hideaway owned by Ed and Kristen Kenney. Although it’s been six years since this cool little eclectic space was covered in Hawaii Home + Remodeling’s print edition, it continues to be one of the most searched and read articles on our website.

And for good reason: The award-winning local chef and his wife are well-known in the community for their many creative pursuits and positive energy. This guest cottage reflects the couple’s smart, colorful and down-to-earth vibe.

Ed and Kristen Kenney in their Kaimuki guest cottage (2018).

“Simplicity doesn’t work for us at all,” says Kristen Kenney in our May 2018 issue. “We like it to be eclectic.”

To get from the Kenneys’ main property to the cottage, guests walk down 58 steps. Surrounded by wild-growing monstera and a plethora of other plants and flowers, the cozy bungalow is tucked away from the urban streetscape. And a panoramic view of Diamond Head is a bonus for anyone who stays in the 1970s-era cottage.

“You can tend to forget that you’re in a suburb of Honolulu,” says Ed Kenney in an online story from May 2018. “There’s houses everywhere, but when you get down there, you’re kind of in your little puka.”

The Hilltop Hale was featured on the cover of our May 2018 edition.

The aesthetic curated by the Kenney ohana was described in our print article as a take on the “Jungalow” trend. A term combining “jungle” and “bungalow” — think nature-inspired, free-spirited, cozy comforts —Jungalow was popularized by California-based designer Justina Blakeney, who is known for vibrant, boho chic prints and colors.

“We’re tree-hugging hippies so the little design factors from the ’60s work for us,” notes Ed Kenney. The “Hilltop Hale” — as the Kenneys like to call the cottage — is a fun example of designing for your own uniqueness, and making your family and friends comfortable in your spaces, too. “I really wanted to create a fun, cozy, inspiring space where our guests would feel at home,” says Kristen Kenney.

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.