Shaded by mature sea grape, milo, and ironwood trees, the mauka and oceanfront gardens of the estate provide idyllic settings for festive seaside gatherings.

Whether the occasion is an anniversary or birthday celebration, a rehearsal dinner or cocktail party, a lavish "theme party" with friends, an intimate wedding, or a special corporate event - this intimate seaside property gives guests a rare experience of the relaxing "Hawaii of Old" that seems serenely suspended in time at the Bayer Estate.

As the sun climbs higher in the cool morning sky, the sea beyond begins to sparkle with light, and the air is filled with the rhythmic sound of the waves rushing along the shoreline.

And in the midst of the gardens sits a charming historic home, cozy and inviting with its shady porch and comfortable wicker chairs that beckon you to come and sit, and take in the relaxing ocean and garden views. Antique furnishings and an old-style sunroom looking onto the sun-filled oceanfront lanai conjure up nostalgic feelings of a gentler time.

The Carl and Florence Bayer House, which was placed on the Hawaii Register of Historic Places, is an early and excellent example of the simple Craftsman style homes designed by renowned architect Raymond Llewellen Morris of Lewers & Cooke.

Built in 1936, it was a collaborative effort between Raymond Morris and Florence Bayer. The house incorporates the graceful characteristics of the simple Hawaiian style house popularized by Morris during this period with its high-pitched roof, extended eaves and lanai, as well as the design aspects of a French farmhouse.

Whether the occasion is an anniversary or birthday celebration, a rehearsal dinner or cocktail party, a lavish "theme party" with friends , an intimate wedding, or a special corporate event - this intimate seaside property gives guests a rare experience of the relaxing "Hawaii of Old" that seems serenely suspended in time at the Bayer Estate.

Just a snippet of a swooping shot overhead during the Hawaii Five-O's opening title scenes shows a lovely crafted cottage, seemingly tucked away in an undeveloped area of the island on beachfront property. However, this flash view of Steve McGarrett's {Alex O'Loughlin) home is a tease since it gives almost no clues as to where it's true location may be.

My first guess was the North Shore of Oahu; however, after visiting the estate/set yesterday as part of "Hawaii Aloha Travel's SOTB2012 Tour" of Five-0 sites, I learned that its one-of-a-kind characteristics were just what the program wanted to bring to the primetime show.

The Bayer Estate belonged to a high official of Alex & Baldwin named Carl Bayer. He was instrumental in formulating the Chamber of Commerce on Kauai. When he moved to Honolulu with his wife , he had a famous architect design this house in 1936.
Souz, the present owner, gave a history of the house and its role in the television show: The main purpose of the house is to serve as a wedding or party venue, and this could therefore be a probable reason as to why filming happens here on occasion.