The Obamas were recently in Hawaii to check on well-underway construction at their new multimillion-dollar Hawaii mansion nearby Honolulu, together with its seawall that is causing so much controversy. Nearby neighbors in the Waimanalo community are concerned that it will further erode the fragile beachline fronting the stunning turquoise ocean.
As you recall, the property was purchased by close friend Marty Nesbitt, in 2015 for a cost of just under $9 million. Previously it was also the home where the Magnum PI mansion was located, nearby Waimanalo Beach. It was torn down as a result of disrepair in 2018.
Three homes are in construction at present on the beachfront compound, which includes two swimming pools and a security fence. The property sits nestled nearby the Koolau Mountains with a spectacular view of Waimanalo Bay.
Former President Barack Obama became known for spending Christmas holidays on Oahu, in a rented home at Kailua Bay, near Kailua Beach, during his presidency. In recent years, they have come to spend yet more time in Hawaii.
Controversial sea wall.
More recently, it came to public awareness that a plan was underway to retain a 100-year old sea wall on the beach at Obama’s coastal estate. That however was not in the interest of environmentalists and neighbors due to beach erosion. The issue is that the sea wall can further contribute to the beach’s erosion by impacting the natural flow of the ocean.
An apparent loophole in the law permitted the 2015 sellers of the massive compound to obtain an easem*nt on public land for a one-time payment of $61K, just before it was sold. They asked officials for a 55-year lease of the public property underneath the century-old sea wall, which in turn gave the new property owners, the Obamas, the right to keep the concrete structure in place. That led to the building permits that are resulting in the current construction. While more than 100 such easem*nts were created in the past two decades, they are nonetheless controversial, according to environmental experts, and are a primary cause of beach loss. Many consider such easem*nts to be a planning loophole by the county in terms of environmental sustainability.
It appears that at one time, it was believed that these structures were a well-intended way to preserve coastal properties and were not the main cause of beach loss. Now, however, it has become clear that in fact they are contraindicated in relation to preserving Hawaii’s natural coastlines. Such structures do not protect the shoreline, however, and in fact directly result in existing beach loss by interrupting the ocean’s natural flow, according to scientists. These are at odds with modern laws.
As a result, the beach fronting Obama’s property is virtually devoid of sand due to the coastal damage.
Marty Nesbitt, who is now chair of the Obama Foundation board, addressed the issue of the sea wall being the main case of beach loss, saying “it was consistent with and informed by the analysis of our consultants, and the laws, regulations, and perspectives of the State of Hawaii.
See YouTube video of the spectacular location prior to the construction.
See Google map of location below:
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The former historic Robin’s Nest mansion will have a whole new look.
Before Rob moved to Hawaii, his weekly dose of Aloha in the 1980s was watching Tom Selleck in Magnum, P.I. Rob wanted that life here in the islands, wearing the famous Aloha Shirt as Magnum did, and living in that 9,000 sq. ft. oceanfront home. When Rob drove by its location at Waimanalo, he would always try to take a peek. Now the home that served as the fictional “Robin’s Nest,” is back in the news again as it gets a presidential makeover.
The original 8,500 square foot home on three acres of oceanfront land, was built in 1933 and the sellers of the property received $8.7 million for it in 2015. Up until 2015, any residence over 50 years old needed a historical review before it could be demolished. That’s no longer the case unless it is on the national historical register or in a historic district.
Updated 3/8/22.
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FAQs
That includes the Robin's Nest, the gorgeous Hawaiian estate where private investigator Thomas Magnum, played by Jay Hernandez, resides rent-free thanks to the generosity of the mysterious multimillionaire author Robin Masters.
Is Robin's Nest on Magnum P.I. a real place? ›
Where Is the Robin's Nest Estate in Magnum P.I. Reboot Located? It turns out that its exterior is actually the work of CGI, as in computer-generated imagery. Masters' property is inspired in part by an oceanfront estate in Kaneohe, according to atlasofwonders.com, which specializes in filming locations.
Who owned the mansion that Magnum P.I. lived at? ›
Robin's Nest (21.324917°N 157.679526°W) is the fictional beach front estate on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, which serves as the residence of the main characters. In the series, it is owned by renowned novelist Robin Masters, who employs Jonathan Higgins as the estate's caretaker and Thomas Magnum as its security expert.
Where was Magnum P.I. shot in Hawaii? ›
"Magnum P.I." character Thomas Magnum's red Ferrari 488 Spider is filmed as it moves down South King Street in downtown Honolulu, Monday, March 27. "Magnum P.I." is filmed on South King Street in downtown Honolulu, Monday, March 27.
Who owns most of Hawaii property? ›
The U.S. government has over 400,000 acres on Hawaii Island, which includes Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, over 30,000 acres on Maui, which includes Haleakala National Park, and over 60,000 acres on Oahu, which includes most of the Hawaii military bases such as Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Schofield Barracks, Camp ...
Does Oprah still own property in Hawaii? ›
The talk show trailblazer already owned over 100 acres of Maui land, according to the report, meaning Winfrey now owns roughly 1,000 acres on the island. The acquisition was met with mixed reactions from local residents, some of whom worried that the purchase would contribute to the displacement of native Hawaiians.
Who owns Robin's Nest today? ›
robin beekman - Owner - Robins nest | LinkedIn.
Where is the original Robin's Nest? ›
Behind the scenes
It is located at 41-505 Kalanianaole Hwy, Waimanalo, HI 96795, and was owned for many years by the Eve G Anderson Trust. The Anderson Trust sold Pāhonu in the 2010s, and the buildings were demolished in April 2018.
Is Rick's bar in Magnum real? ›
A beach bar was opened as the location for 'Rick's Bar' in the TV series Magnum P.I. The bar is now The Kahala O Ke Kai, a beautiful oceanfront function room.
Is Magnum P.I. filmed entirely in Hawaii? ›
Filming locations take place in Honolulu, Waimanolo, Kaneohe, Aiea, Waialua, Kapolei, and Kailua, Hawaii. “We used every inch of that Island,” Eric Guggenheim, showrunner for Magnum P.I., told NBC Insider. “No matter where you are, it's beautiful. It's so picturesque.
Its cancellation was reportedly due to licensing fee disagreements between CBS and Universal Television, per Deadline. Despite the show's popularity, CBS and Universal Television reportedly could not reach an agreement. Universal and CBS's other shows, the FBI franchise and The Equalizer, were renewed.
Why is Magnum living on Robin Masters estate? ›
The show's narrative stated that Magnum had met Robin Masters and that Master's was impressed by Magnum and his military record, so he decided to allow him to live on his estate in Hawaii.
Where is the new Robin's Nest Magnum P.I. filmed? ›
Most of the interior and the drive with the massive tree are from the luxurious Banyan House in Hawaii. The living room and some waterfront interior shots are filmed in this seven-bedroom, 14,000 square feet property, situated just minutes from downtown Honolulu at 4369 Royal Place.
Is Magnum P.I. coming back in 2023? ›
A return date for Magnum P.I. has not been announced, but we can confirm the show will be back midseason/summer 2024.
Where is the bar in Magnum filmed? ›
La Mariana was founded in 1957 by Annnette and Johnny Campbell, according to hawaii-guide.com. Decades later, it is a “living museum” of old Hawaii. Decorations and furnishings convey a local look.
Does China own property in Hawaii? ›
China Oceanwide spent more than $500 million on real estate purchases in West Oahu during the last several years including a 424-acre adjacent to the 642-acre Ko Olina Resort.
Does Jeff Bezos own land in Hawaii? ›
Jeff Bezos. Jeff Bezos, the second richest man in the world and Amazon founder, and his partner, news anchor Lauren Sánchez, have acquired land on Maui, sources familiar with the deal confirmed with Maui Times.
Does Mark Zuckerberg own property in Hawaii? ›
In November 2021, Zuckerberg and wife added 110 acres to their Kauai real estate holdings, paying $17 million for land that includes a former sugar plantation and the Ka Loko reservoir. In 2006, the reservoir's dam broke, releasing 400 million gallons of water that killed seven people on Kauai's North Shore.
Does Julia Roberts own a home in Hawaii? ›
Roberts is also known for being a fan of purchasing real estate. She has two homes in the desirable Point Dume area of Malibu, California, a Victorian Revival-style home in San Francisco and a house in Kauai, Hawaii.
Where does Mark Zuckerberg own property in Hawaii? ›
Zuckerberg began what has now been a years-long love affair with Hawaii in 2014, when he snapped up 707 acres on the island of Kauai for about $116 million.
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - A large piece of Hawaii television history is up for sale and it can be yours for $15.75 million.
Why did the Robin leave her nest? ›
She discovered a potential predator, such as a cat, jay, chipmunk, or snake, eyeing her nest and abandoned it because it wasn't a safe place to raise babies.
Who sits on Robin's nest male or female? ›
The female builds the nest, though the male often brings her some of the materials. He continues to sing as she lays the eggs and incubates them. When the babies hatch, both the parents get busy feeding them. When the babies fledge (leave the nest), both parents continue to follow them and feed them for a few days.
Is NCIS Hawaii filmed in Hawaii? ›
Background. Sections of Honolulu's Chinatown district are being closed to the public on Monday and Tuesday to make way for filming NCIS: Hawaii. HONOLULU (KITV4) -- Sections of Honolulu's Chinatown district are being closed to the public on Monday and Tuesday to make way for filming NCIS: Hawaii.
What is the speckled egg in robin's nest? ›
Info. Robin's nest with a brown-headed cowbird egg. The speckled white egg in this robin's nest belongs to a baby cowbird whose mother sneakily laid it among the blue robin eggs when nobody was looking. Cowbirds lay their eggs in the nests of other species because they rely on other birds to raise their young.
Who sits on a robin's nest? ›
On The Nest
Mother robins may start incubating their eggs during the evening after the second egg is laid, or after all the eggs are laid. They sit on the eggs for 12 to 14 days. The female usually does all the incubating.
Why does Magnum wear a ring? ›
“The Cross of Lorraine was a symbol used by the French resistance during World War II, and is featured in many film and television depictions of the French resistance including the 1942 film Casablanca.” Selleck and Universal Pictures donated the iconic ring to the museum after the original series wrapped up in 1988.
Is La Mariana on Magnum P.I. real? ›
"The “Magnum P.I.” production crew actually built a La Mariana set at their soundstage which is based on the real La Mariana Tiki Bar and Restaurant at Keehi Lagoon."
Is there a real King Kamehameha Club? ›
The King Kamehameha Golf Club is Maui's premier private golf club on Maui, Hawaii. The club's 74,000 sq. ft. clubhouse is designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and sits at 750 feet above sea level offering a magnificent view Mt.
What beach was Magnum P.I. filmed on? ›
Waikiki Beach – Honolulu
Honolulu is typically the centre for the action in Magnum P.I., much like it is in Hawaii Five-0, so there's really no surprise that its central hub, Waikiki Beach, is among the most reoccurring Magnum P.I.
Magnum P.I. and Hawaii Five-0 Connection
Now in Season 5, the reboot of Magnum P.I. has already presented a crossover episode with the new version of Hawaii Five-0. That was a logical choice, since it follows the rule of location, location, location: Both shows take place in the Aloha State.
What island is Robin's Nest from Magnum P.I. on? ›
Magnum lives on the fictional Robin's Nest Estate in Oahu where he works as a security consultant after returning from Afghanistan.
Is Magnum P.I. been cancelled? ›
PASADENA, Calif. – Out of all of the dangers private investigator Thomas Magnum faced, cancellation could've proved the most deadly. Thankfully for fans, NBC stepped in and saved "Magnum P.I.," a remake of the '80s Hawaiian crime-fighting action series originally starring Tom Selleck.
Is Bull cancelled? ›
Per Weatherly's account of things, the show is ending because he is ready to move on to new projects – and it would be difficult for Bull to continue without its title character, Dr Jason Bull.
Why did Magnum change channels? ›
'Magnum P.I' switched networks after it was canceled by CBS in May 2022. While CBS did not elaborate on its decision to cancel Magnum P.I., it was reported that the show's higher licensing fee was to blame for the show getting the axe. According to IndieWire, it was the network's "biggest sticking point."
Did Higgins ever admit he was Robin Masters? ›
The idea that Higgins could secretly be Masters became a long running gag in the series after Thomas told his friends Theodore "T.C." Calvin, and Orville "Rick" Wright about his idea. In the final episode of the series, Higgins tells Magnum that he really is Robin Masters.
Why did Abby leave Magnum? ›
When Abby decides to leave Hawaii after she is disbarred for hiring Magnum to prove Conlan's guilt, she ends her relationship with Magnum. She tells him, “I think that there might be somebody else out there who is better suited for you.
Why did Mac leave Magnum? ›
“I quit 'Magnum,' not because I didn't like it or I was tired of it,” he said. “I was tired from it. And I wanted a three-dimensional life because I didn't have one.”
How did Magnum come to live at Robins Nest? ›
Magnum lived in the guest house on Robin Masters' estate, Robin's Nest, as part of his being in-charge of security on the estate, which likely explains the almost unlimited access to the Ferrari.
Did John Hillerman live in Hawaii? ›
Hillerman lives alone in "the second largest penthouse apartment on Waikiki," he said, "4,000 square feet, 10 rooms, tall ceilings, 260-degree view.
