Breathing New Life into History: The Restoration of Waiheʻe’s "Red Roof House”
Nestled within the Waiheʻe Coastal Dunes and Wetlands Refuge, a piece of Maui’s rich architectural and agricultural history is undergoing a major transformation.
If you’ve walked the coastal trails at Waiheʻe, you’ve likely noticed the historic cottage known affectionately as the "Red Roof House." Built in 1937, this historic beach cottage is believed to have been designed by Charles W. Dickey, the renowned architect whose signature island-style designs helped shape Hawaiʻi’s unique architectural landscape.
Originally serving as a residence during the era of the Wailuku Dairy, the house stood as a fixture of daily life in Kapoho for decades. From the dairy’s active years (1919–1970) through its later community uses, the structure housed plantation managers, supported local initiatives, and witnessed generations of Maui families growing up along the shoreline.
After the dairy closed, the house sat weathered by time and coastal exposure, remaining unused since 2004, when the Maui Coastal Land Trust (now Hawaiʻi Land Trust) took ownership of the 277-acre refuge to protect its coastal dunes, ancient archaeological sites, and wetland ecosystems in perpetuity.
When the Land Trust assumed stewardship in 2004, the community made its desires clear: restoring this historic structure as a dedicated cultural education center was one of the top three requests voiced by community members.
Cultural Education Center exterior rendering.
Today, after years of planning and community advocacy, that long-standing vision is becoming a reality as we restore and adaptively reuse the historic cottage to create a vibrant Cultural Education Center. Designed to deepen connection to place, the Center will offer a learning commons and a sheltered flexible gathering space, and interpretive displays for the over 3,000 students and hundreds of community members who participate in HILT programming each year. To support these educational activities, the center will include program-dedicated facilities.
Cultural Education Center interior rendering.
Progress & Construction Updates
We are thrilled to share that construction is officially underway!
Funding Milestone: Thanks to the generosity of our community, foundations, and public partners, we have raised $3.45 million toward our total project budget of $3.98 million. We are now working to raise the remaining $530,000 to bring this longheld community vision to fruition.
Site Work Begun: On September 28, work kicked off with a critical infrastructure upgrade: retiring the property's old cesspool and installing a modern, above-ground septic system.
Target Completion: We anticipate completing full construction and opening the doors in the 3rd Quarter of 2027.
The Refuge Remains Open!
While work is happening on-site, we want to reassure our community: Waiheʻe Coastal Dunes and Wetlands Refuge remains open to the public, and all regular community programming will continue.
To ensure everyone’s safety during this time, please keep the following in mind when visiting:
Heed All Posted Warnings: Active construction zones are clearly marked. Please do not enter fenced areas or construction pathways.
Watch for Equipment: Stay alert for construction vehicles or personnel along all access roads.
Follow Staff Instructions: While visiting the Refuge, please stick to designated trails and gathering spots.
Mahalo to Our Supporters
This vision is becoming a reality because of the steadfast support of our community partners, public leaders, state and county agencies, and generous donors. We extend our deepest gratitude to:
Bendon Family Foundation
Clarence T.C. Ching Foundation
Cooke Foundation Ltd.
County of Maui
First Hawaiian Bank Foundation
Hauʻoli Mau Loa Foundation
Historic Hawaiʻi Foundation
Kosasa Foundation
Makahakama Foundation
Makana Aloha Foundation
Maui United Way
National Historic Preservation Fund
Nuestro Futuro Foundation
Saunders Family Charitable Fund
State of Hawaiʻi
Strong Foundation
USDA Rural Development grant (via a Federal Appropriation championed by U.S. Senators Mazie Hirono and Brian Schatz, and U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda)
...and our many dedicated Buy Back the Beach donors in 2023 and 2026!
How You Can Help
If you or your organization are interested in supporting the completion of Waiheʻe’s Cultural Education Center, we would love to connect with you. Please reach out to Angela Britten, Chief Operations & Philanthropy Officer.