In 1899, Rev. Hans Isenberg (1855-1918) — the pastor of the Lihu‘e Lutheran Church on German Hill from 1887 until 1918 — built a mountain house he named Kukaua, once situated on the rim of Kilohana Crater above the old
In 1899, Rev. Hans Isenberg (1855-1918) — the pastor of the Lihu‘e Lutheran Church on German Hill from 1887 until 1918 — built a mountain house he named Kukaua, once situated on the rim of Kilohana Crater above the old German Forest, at an elevation of about 1,000 feet.
The German Forest, by the way, was planted in Koa, Cassia and Eucalyptus on the Lihu‘e side of Kilohana Crater by Lihu‘e Plantation beginning in 1882 for the purpose of obtaining a supply of firewood and retaining rainwater.
From the commanding heights of Kukaua, Rev. Isenberg, his wife, Dora Rice Isenberg, and their guests enjoyed a panoramic view of Kaua‘i from Anahola to Knudsen’s Gap.
The Isenbergs could easily observe Kukaua from the lanai of their large plantation-style residence on their Molokoa estate, once located above the Lutheran church, approximately 400 yards north of the end of today’s hardtop road.
Rev. and Mrs. Isenberg, along with family and friends, would ride up to Kukaua from Molokoa on horseback or in horse-drawn buggies on warm summer days for afternoon teas or for weekend lunch parties.
The Rev. Isenberg could well-afford to maintain two homes and an estate, for besides his duties as pastor, he was also engaged in the profitable business affairs of Hackfeld & Company, Lihu‘e Plantation and Koloa Plantation.
In 1914, Molokoa and Kukaua were deeded to Rev. and Mrs. Isenberg by the stockholders of Lihu‘e Plantation.
Mrs. Isenberg continued to live at Molokoa for some years after Rev. Isenberg’s death. It was demolished by Lihu‘e Plantation in the 1970s.
Kukaua was eventually deeded back to Lihu‘e Plantation, which in turn, leased it to Grove Farm from 1946 to 1970 as a mountain retreat for members of the Wilcox family and their Grove Farm employees. In 1976, Kukaua was torn down by Lihu‘e Plantation.
