Doris Duke Shangri-la

Oahu, Hawaii Print   Leave a comment

Description

Doris Duke Shangri-la is the exquisite home of Doris Duke, daughter of tobacco and electric energy tycoon, James Buchanan Duke. It is one of many homes/apartments she owned, four on the East Coast and one in California. When she died in 1993 she was the richest woman in America (do a google search and read about how she was surrounded by golddiggers- very sad). She inherited $100 million when she was twelve, in 1925 and used this money to travel the world, particularly the Middle East, collecting treasures. You can see these treasures at her gorgeous Black Point house on a tour run by the Honolulu Academy of Arts several times a day.
The tour begins with a short video on Doris Duke's life, which they show you at the academy. Next, you board a bus which takes you to the home. As the bus descends the lush driveway, the beautiful trees and greenery delight you. The tour guide lingers a little too long in the mosquitoey courtyard making you wait and wait to enter the house. Wear mosquito repellent! Inside the house it's hot, so wear cool clothing.
Once inside, you get to see the sumptuous Middle Eastern patterns, tile, and furnishings throughout the house. It's colorful and wonderful! If you're lucky, Doris' Sri Lankan chef will add to the tour by telling you funny and interesting stories about her life.
Water is served on the lanai, and you can view the lovely protected waters below where Doris Duke had two ocean walls built to create a spot to park her husband's yacht. Locals often spearfish here. You can also see the massive lava rock wall that Doris had one hundred and fifty men build to situate her house atop. Take in the stunning views of the lesser-viewed east side of Diamond Head. The views of little Ka'alawai Beach, a perfect yellow cove, will make you long for a swim.
See the pool where the Kahanamoku brothers hung out with Doris and where Duke Kahanamoku practised for the olympics. The guide saves a treat for last- the mystery behind the courtyard's wooden door.
Two and a half hours later you are back at the Academy of Arts, still longing for that swim at Ka'alawai Beach!

Photo Gallery

The huge rock wall on the right is the one Doris had built to situate her house on. Ocean rock wall is for parking her yacht- it's now a sheltered place to swim.

View from balcony of Doris Duke's home.

View of house from the yard.

Directions

Call (866) 385-3849 or (808) 532-8701 ahead of time to reserve your space. Kids must be 12 years or older. Cost is $25 per person.
The tour leaves from the Honolulu Academy of Arts. To get to the Honolulu Academy of Arts, exit the H1 Westbound at Lunalilo. Stay in the far right lane and follow the road up to Ward Ave, where you quickly change to the left lane and turn left. Turn left again immediately on Kinau St, and right onto Victoria Street. Turn left on Young St and the parking lot for the academy is on your left. It costs a few dollars for the whole day.
The map above shows where the house is, not the Honolulu Academy of Arts where your tour begins. I chose to do this because it is fun to click on "satellite" and see the house from the air.

This is an interactive map, you can zoom and move it.

Visitor Ratings

Overall Visitor Rating:

Julie 10/06/2009 15:03

These photos are great ...