Amid swirling rumors of a possible divorce between Barack and Michelle Obama, a luxurious Hawaiian estate the couple once vacationed at is now up for sale with a $14.9 million price tag.
Retreat for Sale
Situated in a private, gated community along the oceanfront of Oʻahu near Kailua Beach, the property — frequented by the Obamas during past visits to the former president’s home state — has officially hit the market, according to Robb Report on Aug. 1.
While the current owner has not been publicly named, the Obamas stayed at the property during several of their family vacations, including their first visit in 2011 while Barack Obama was still in office.
The Obamas have long shown a preference for waterfront properties. One notable example is Blue Heron Farm, a Martha’s Vineyard beach estate on a private island in Chilmark, Massachusetts, which they also rented during past summers. That home is currently listed for sale at approximately $40 million.
What makes the Hawaiian real estate situation even more compelling is that, as of this reporting, the couple remains publicly together, and it is now reported that they’re spending time in a mansion in the same region of Oʻahu.
That home in Waimānalo, tucked along Oʻahu’s scenic windward coast, was reportedly valued at around $18 million, according to CW Honolulu. While the Obamas are associated closely with the property, they haven’t publicly confirmed ownership. What is know is the estate was purchased through their longtime friend and business partner Marty Nesbitt back in 2015, which has led many to believe it serves as their private island retreat.
Not far from there, just up the coast in Kailua, another waterfront estate has hit the market. Located at 47 Kailuana Place, the property is listed for $14.9 million and offers a tranquil slice of oceanfront living. Sitting on roughly three-quarters of an acre with about 110 feet of ocean frontage, the single-story home was recently renovated and designed with laid-back luxury in mind, Robb Report reported.
It features five bedrooms, a chef’s kitchen, and a home gym, along with an outdoor spa pool that flows naturally into the home’s lanai and entertainment areas.
The driveway is spacious enough for six cars, and there’s a two-car garage tucked beside the main entrance.
Surrounding the property is lush tropical landscaping that gives way to a lagoon-style saltwater pool, complete with a waterfall and shaded lanai.
The Waimānalo estate, originally purchased for $8.4 million before it was renovated a decade ago, spans about three acres and once held the well-known “Robin’s Nest,” a 1930s beachfront house made famous by the original “Magnum P.I.” TV series. That historic structure has since been taken down to make space for a modern compound, which is reportedly in the works, according to CW.
Plans for the site include multiple new buildings, with up to five bedrooms and structures ranging between 7,000 and 9,000 square feet. There’s also talk of adding two swimming pools, two jacuzzis, a tennis court, a boathouse, and even a guardhouse — fitting for a family used to high levels of security.
However, not everyone is thrilled about one feature of the property: a century-old seawall that still lines the edge of the estate.
It remains in place under a 55-year easement granted by the state, but environmental experts have expressed concern that the seawall is worsening coastal erosion, especially in a region already feeling the impacts of rising sea levels and disappearing beaches.
The persistent divorce rumors have been fueled largely by the couple’s perceived distance on social media, even during Barack’s rare appearance on Michelle’s podcast, “IMO”, which she co-hosts with her brother, Craig Robinson. Despite the media’s focus on their names and properties, a purported insider told RadarOnline that the former commander in chief and first lady are “done,” and that the podcast appearance was merely damage control. It is not clear from the tabloid’s report how this unnamed supposed source is privy to anything more than public information about the couple.
The Obamas recently addressed the divorce rumors on “IMO.” Michelle said, “There hasn’t been one moment in our marriage where I’ve thought about quitting my man.” Barack Obama joked, “She took me back!” and “It was touch and go for a while.”
