TANTALUS HOUSE
4142 Round Top Drive
Honolulu, HI
LIST PRICE: $1,750,000
3 BR / 3 BA - 1,788 SF Interior - 777 SF Covered Lanais
reMODELED tantalus house with 31 OWNED PV PANELS and many more custom features!
A Peaceful Honolulu
Retreat!
Nestled in lush Tantalus, above the Honolulu cityscape, this 3BD/3BA Ossipoff-reminiscent* retreat offers privacy, nature, & modern comfort on a 0.40-acre lot surrounded by tropical greenery.
Built in 1975 & updated in 1987, the home features soaring ceilings, and large windows with stunning views, which bring the outside in. Natural light is complemented by rich redwood walls, & warm wood tones throughout.
Its flexible layout includes an open kitchen & 3 living rooms, one on each level, making this property ideal for single family or multi-family living.
*note: not designed by Ossipoff
Unique & Private
31 PV panels with battery backup provide energy efficiency. Sip your morning coffee, to the sound of birds singing, on one of three wrap-around covered lanais, enjoy your fenced garden patio, or play on your flat, terraced yard space—rare for the area—supported by beautiful, newly-engineered rock retaining walls. The detached 2-car garage adds convenience, & the forested setting enhances the serene ambiance of this home.
Explore the terrain on your own lot or venture out. You're minutes from Pu'u 'Ualaka'a State Park & hiking trails, yet still close to downtown and schools. This home perfectly balances seclusion & accessibility. A true sanctuary to embrace Hawaii’s beauty & island living!
Lot Size:
17,521 sf (Preservation)
House Interior:
3 BR - 3 BA, 1,788 sf
Covered Back Lanais:
777 sf Total on 3 Levels
Other:
Attached Garage, 450 sf (1925)
House Built: 1975
MLS: 202601029
TMK: 1-2-5-016-014-0000
Property Taxes (2025):
$365/mo, w/o owner-occupant exemption
Schools:
Lincoln Elementary School
Stevenson Middle School
Roosevelt High School
Home Features
~ Built 1975
~ Soaring ceilings, large windows
~ Lush views from nearly every window
~ 3 Levels, each w/ separate exterior entrance
~ Flexibility to use as 1, 2 or 3 residences
~ Redwood walls on main level and warm wood flooring throughout.
~ Timeless quartzite tile in bathrooms.
~ 31 owned PV panels + battery backup
~ Solar H2O
~ 2 car garage + extra parking at front
MAIN LEVEL
The Main (or First/Top) Level has approximately 654 sq ft of living space and 239 sq ft of covered lanai. Buyer to verify exact square footage.
The Main Level includes the front entrance and open lanai, a full kitchen, the main living area, a full bathroom, an enclosed bedroom, and a covered back wrap-around lanai.
TANTALUS HOUSE ON OAHU - VIRTUALLY STAGED MAIN LEVEL LIVING ROOM
TANTALUS HOUSE ON OAHU - Main LEVEL LIVING/DINING ROOM
TANTALUS HOUSE ON OAHU - LUSH MOUNTAINSIDE VIEWS ARE SEEN THOUGH NEARLY EVERY WINDOW OF THIS HOME
TANTALUS HOUSE ON OAHU - MAIN LEVEL: FULL BATH WITH SHOWER
TANTALUS HOUSE ON OAHU - MAIN LEVEL: SPACIOUS KITCHEN WITH PLENTY OF STORAGE. BAR COUNTER SEATING, GRANITE COUNTERS & STAINLESS STEEL APPLIANCES.
TANTALUS HOUSE ON OAHU - VIRTUALLY STAGED MAIN LEVEL BEDROOM
TANTALUS HOUSE ON OAHU - MAIN LEVEL BEDROOM
TANTALUS HOUSE ON OAHU - MAIN LEVEL Covered Lanai
SECOND LEVEL (BELOW MAIN LEVEL)
The Second Level (middle floor) has approximately 585 sq ft of living space and 185 sq ft of covered lanai. Buyer to verify exact square footage.
It includes an exterior entrance, wet bar, large living area, full bathroom, enclosed bedroom, and covered lanai.
TANTALUS HOUSE ON OAHU - SECOND LEVEL: LIVING SPACE WITH ACCESS TO COVERED LANAI, BATHROOM, & BEDROOM - GREAT FOR LARGE OFFICE, PLAYROOM, REC ROOM, OR MULTIFAMILY LIVING/DINING ROOM AREA.
TANTALUS HOUSE ON OAHU - SECOND LEVEL WET BAR - FULL-SIZED REFRIGERATOR ADJACENT, ON THE COVERED LANAI
TANTALUS HOUSE ON OAHU - SECOND LEVEL BEDROOM - VIRTUALLY STAGED
TANTALUS HOUSE ON OAHU - SECOND LEVEL BEDROOM LOOKING THE OTHER DIRECTION, TOWARD CLOSET & ENTRY
TANTALUS HOUSE ON OAHU - SECOND LEVEL BATHROOM
TANTALUS HOUSE ON OAHU - SECOND LEVEL BEDROOM
TANTALUS HOUSE ON OAHU - SECOND LEVEL LANAI HAS STORAGE & REFRIGERATOR
TANTALUS HOUSE ON OAHU - SECOND LEVEL: WRAP-AROUND LANAI, LOOKING OVER LUSH FOREST
THIRD LEVEL
The Third Level (Lower Level), added in 2006-2007, has approximately 611 sq ft of living space and 297 sq ft of covered lanai.
The Third Level includes an exterior entrance, wet bar (no refrigerator), stacked laundry, full bathroom with tub & shower, enclosable bedroom, and covered lanai.
TANTALUS HOUSE ON OAHU - LOWER LEVEL: HAS LIVING AREA, BEDROOM, FULL BATH, WET BAR, LAUNDRY, COVERED LANAI, AND EXTERIOR ENTRANCE
TANTALUS HOUSE ON OAHU - LOWER LEVEL LIVING AREA, VIRTUALLY STAGED AS A PRIMARY BEDROOM SUITE
TANTALUS HOUSE ON OAHU - LOWER LEVEL BEDROOM, VIRTUALLY STAGED AS A NURSERY
TANTALUS HOUSE ON OAHU - LOWER LEVEL WET BAR AREA - VIRTUALLY STAGED W/ A REFRIGERATOR (NOT INCL. IN SALE)
TANTALUS HOUSE ON OAHU - LOWER LEVEL LIVING AREA - COULD BE USED AS A SEPARATE 1 BR LIVING SPACE W WET BAR
TANTALUS HOUSE ON OAHU - LOWER LEVEL BEDROOM, ACCORDION DOOR IS USED TO CLOSE OFF AREA
TANTALUS HOUSE ON OAHU - LOWER LEVEL OVERVIEW
TANTALUS HOUSE ON OAHU - lower level - wrap around lanai
MORE INTERIOR PHOTOS
INTERIOR FLOOR PLANS
Tantalus house on oahu - approximate floor plan
Outdoors
~ Large, 17,251 sf Lot
~ Newly-fenced entry to spacious composite decking front lanai
~ Composite stairs from garage to front lanai
~ Wrap-around lanais on 3 levels, 777 sq ft total
~ Large flat yard area, with new fencing, supported by newly engineered rock retaining walls
~ Lush tropical plants and trees, including avocado, mango, bamboo, banana, and more!
~ On Cesspool, Catchment Tank for water
~ Detached 2-Car Garage with Remote
TANTALUS HOUSE ON OAHU - Water catchment tank and new ROCK retaining walls and fencing
TANTALUS HOUSE ON OAHU - large flat yard area and new ROCK retaining walls and fencing
MORE EXTERIOR PHOTOS
Tantalus…
Tantalus is a mountaintop neighborhood of Honolulu perched magnificently above the downtown cityscape. It is a lush, tropical area preferred by those who appreciate quietude and seclusion, and is one of the most stunning and peaceful areas of the island. Surrounded by the Makiki-Tantalus State Recreation Area, Tantalus is one of the few residential areas within a State of Hawai’i Conservation District. The Tantalus House residence is up a winding road, but it is still not too far ( ~5 miles) from the nearby Makiki neighborhood and all the shopping, restaurants, schools, hospitals, freeway access, and commerce of Honolulu. With Pu’u ‘Ualaka’a State Park also in the midst of Tantalus, the area features many picturesque hiking trails and view points.
SOME HIGHLIGHTS OF THE MAKIKI-TANTALUS-MANOA AREA
TANTALUS COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
The Tantalus Community Association Mission envisions Tantalus as a community in harmony with the natural environment, crime-free, inviting to all, friendly and one that promotes appreciation for this unique place. The TCA meets ~6 times a year and also organizes Community Work Days and Social Events, often held in Pu’u ‘U’alaka’a State Park for its members. See more at the link above.
HISTORY OF THE TANTALUS AREA
The Makiki and Tantalus areas of Honolulu have a long and rich history, beginning with early Hawaiian settlers who cultivated taro, sweet potatoes, and other crops in the fertile valleys and streams. The land provided abundant resources, including native plants for food, medicine, and materials, as well as forest birds and snails. However, by the 1600s, extensive use of the lowland forests had significantly altered the landscape. The arrival of Westerners in the late 18th century accelerated environmental changes, with livestock grazing, deforestation for trade and fuel, and the near-elimination of native sandalwood trees.
By the late 19th century, the once-forested hillsides were barren and eroded, prompting reforestation efforts in the early 20th century. The area became a Forest Reserve in 1913, with thousands of trees introduced from around the world. Tantalus also became a popular retreat for Honolulu residents, with summer homes and roads replacing horse trails. Conservation efforts continued through the mid-20th century, including the establishment of Nutridge Farm and additional reforestation projects.
Today, the Makiki-Tantalus State Recreation Area spans 2,000 acres, offering trails, lookouts, and educational opportunities. Tantalus is a popular destination for hikers, road bicyclists, and skateboarders as well as one of the most frequented tourist spots on Oʻahu. Starting in 1974, The Tantalus Time Trial, a bicycle race from the bottom to the top of the loop, is the longest continuously running cycling race in Hawai‘i. While much of the native flora and fauna have been replaced by introduced species, the area remains a cherished escape for outdoor enthusiasts and a reminder of the region's dynamic history and environmental transformation.
SCENIC ViEW OF DIAMOND HEAD AND DOWNTOWN HONOLULU FROM LOOKOUT POINT ON ROUND TOP DRIVE
If you’d like to learn more about Tantalus and the people who have lived there, you can also Download
“A Collection of Tantalus Memories” at this Link.
ROUND TOP DRIVE: OAHU’s ONLY STATE & NATIONAL HISTORIC ROAD
Tantalus-Round Top Drive, an 8-mile scenic road beginning near Punchbowl National Cemetery, offers breathtaking views as it climbs to 1,800 feet and descends through lush Makiki Valley. (NOTE: Video at link shows 4142 Round Top Listing as it existed 4+ years ago is at 23:05-23:08.)
Built between 1892 and 1917, the road spans three volcanic cinder cones and was envisioned by Lorrin A. Thurston, a key figure in Hawaiian conservation and infrastructure. Originally constructed as a carriage road under the Kingdom of Hawaii, it was later improved for automobiles in 1914 and paved in 1937 with federal funding, becoming Honolulu's most picturesque drive.
The area surrounding Tantalus-Round Top Drive is rich in natural and historical significance. The Makiki Valley, with its three streams and 130 inches of annual rainfall, serves as a vital watershed, supplying Honolulu with some of the purest water in the world. Conservation efforts, including reforestation by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, have preserved the region's ecological integrity. In 1957, the area was zoned as a Conservation District to protect the watershed, limiting development and maintaining its pristine environment.
Today, Tantalus-Round Top Drive is part of the 2,000-acre Makiki State Recreation Area, offering access to seven trailheads and 15 interconnected trails. With its historical roots, stunning vistas, and ecological importance, the drive remains a cherished retreat for residents and visitors alike, embodying the natural beauty and cultural heritage of Honolulu.
DOCUMENTS & PUBLIC INFORMATION
MLS LISTING | TAX RECORDS | REALIST REPORT | PLAT MAP | SURVEY MAP 2024 | SURVEY REPORT 2021
LISTED BY:
Yvonne Jaramillo Ahearn
+ Ana Kuna
Founding Brokers,
COMPASS HAWAII
CONTACT:
808.721.8088
yvonne.ahearn@compass.com
RB-20262
