Mana Hale, "house of the spirit" was built by the ranch's founder John Palmer Parker in 1847. Originally located about 12 miles from its current location, the ranch's final Parker descendant owner, Richard Palmer Smart, had the home dismantled board by board and reconstructed within a new, historically authentic exterior.
Puuopelu, the second home on the site, was purchased by John Parker II and was expanded and modernized by Smart who resided in the home until his death in 1992. The home is known for its European heirloom furniture, crystal chandeliers and delicate figurines, along with one of the finest private art collections in Hawaii.
Between 1942 and 1945, Parker Ranch played a key role assisting Camp Tarawa in sheltering 50,000 Marines from the 2nd and 5th Marine Divisions and the V Amphibious Corps as they prepared for the battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa. A monument to Marines training here stands along the highway near the Ranch Historic Homes attraction.
We begin our tour with Mana Hale, the original Parker family home.
