Inside the creative Manoa home of former Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie

Former U.S. Congressman and Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie and his wife, Nancie Caraway, make their Manoa home a peaceful place to settle down.

Tucked away on a quiet manoa hillside, a small, street-front house looks unassuming with its polished exterior and landscaping, typical of the neighborhood.

But take a step inside and you’re transported into a home that’s furnished with treasures from the homeowners’ storied past, sprinkled with hand-selected décor from their international travels and thoughtful gifts from friends and dignitaries.

Former U.S. Congressman and Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie and his wife, Nancie Caraway, always wanted to own a home in Manoa. The path that led them to be first-time Hawaii homeowners was about as long as their respective careers in politics and higher education.

Before they were homeowners, they rented an apartment in Manoa for 23 years. After years of house-hunting in a neighborhood that was growing increasingly desirable, they finally discovered a for-sale sign in front of a square-shaped little house built in 1970. It had a wonderful view of Diamond Head and Waikiki, and a thriving bougainvillea tree in the backyard that Caraway adored.