James L. Coke House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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James L. Coke House
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"Waipuna" in 2009
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 Location in Hawaii
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| Location | 3649 Nuuanu Pali Dr., Honolulu, Hawaii |
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| Area | 0.6 acres (0.24 ha) |
| Built | 1934 |
| Architect | C.W. Dickey, Richard Tongg |
| NRHP reference No. | 86001618 |
| Added to NRHP | August 20, 1986 |
The James L. Coke House, also known as Waipuna, is a historic home in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi. Its name, "Waipuna," means 'springwater' in the Hawaiian language. Built in 1934, this house was designed for Judge James Leslie Coke, an important figure who was the Chief Justice of the Hawaii Supreme Court. The house is special because of its unique design by C.W. Dickey, a famous local architect, and its beautiful gardens created by Richard Tongg, a top landscape architect. Both the house and its grounds were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1986, recognizing their historical importance.
Who Was James L. Coke?
James Leslie Coke was a very important judge in Hawaiʻi. In 1934, he was chosen again to be the Chief Justice of the Hawaii Supreme Court by U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt. This was a big honor, and the house was built for him that same year.
Cool Architecture and Design
The James L. Coke House is a great example of the work of C.W. Dickey. He was the most well-known local architect during that time. Even though this house is a bit different from his usual designs, it shows off amazing craftsmanship. It was built to be perfect for an indoor-outdoor lifestyle, which is great for Hawaiʻi's climate.
The house has two stories and is shaped like an "L." The outside walls on the ground floor are made of brick. The upper floor has clapboard siding. Both are painted white, giving the house a clean look. Inside, the floors are made of ohia wood, which is a strong wood from Hawaiʻi. The stairway bannister and the dining room chandelier are made of wrought iron, adding a fancy touch.
Beautiful Gardens
The outdoor areas of the Waipuna house are just as special as the inside. Richard Tongg, a leading landscape architect, designed both the front yard and the back lot. He worked on the gardens between 1935 and 1937. The back lot even goes across the Nuʻuanu Stream.
Tongg was very famous for his garden designs. Some of his other well-known projects include the Andrews Outdoor Theatre at the University of Hawaiʻi. He also designed gardens for important people like George W. Vanderbilt and Doris Duke. You can also see his work at the central concourse garden at Honolulu International Airport.
