I'm thinking about buying land in Puna to build a home that would also serve a a potters studio. I'd like to do the building myself, possibly using stone, reclaimed wood, bamboo--whatever is available. My kiln might be electric or wood fired, but I suppose there might be restrictions on burning wood. In general, I was wondering if anyone could tell me about restricitons on what sort of structures can be build, with what materials, and any restrictions that might limit operation of my small-scale "industry." Would I need commercial zoning? Would I be okay if I used electric (no smoke) and kept things low key? Thanks for your help.
Bruce from Pittsburgh

Aloha all! I will be coming to the BI in Febuary to look for a lot to buy for retirement. I live in Arizona and love the east side of the island. Does anyone have a recomendation as to where to look for my retirement spot?

Edited by - Judy on 09/12/2003 22:02:06

Can anyone share their ideas about buying land...am looking around Pahoa, Mountain View? Also it sounds like prices doubled in the last year around Leilani Estates/Pahoa.
Is Mountain View a better buy at this point?
I will be out there either next week or in Sept. It's sort of "mad" to just quickly buy, but I really need to do this soon.

thanks...Beth Tate

Aloha, y'all... I'm another haole looking to relocate on the Big Island. I have a lot in Nanawale Estates, any info on same would be appreciated. I will be there for most of the month of Aug, for my daughter's wedding, and to look at the possibilities of moving there.
I have friends in Hilo, so I'm not coming in totally blind, but I would be interested in talking to anyone about that location, etc.
Thanks,
Bill

William R. Hammond

I can't help but notice the increase in the number of chain link fences in my subdivision (HPP) and wonder if anyone else objects to these eyesores? The good old stone walls blend so well into the landscape.

Perhaps we could organize a clandestine midnight-raiding-dismantling-group to deal with this!

http://home.bairey.net/photos_events_liv...287068moth

Anyone know? We've got a bunch of them at our place in HPP.. their wingspan is easily 5 inches. It's not a sphinx moth as far as I can tell, which is the only thing that comes up when you search online for "big" Hawaii moths.

TIA

My sites:
http://www.bairey.net
http://practical-pet-care.com

I thought it might be a good idea to invite people to tell and talk story about moving to Puna. People who do not know the area are very curious and have heard many tales, often bad, about life here in Puna. So I am going to lead off and I’m not making any of this up, it is all fact. I do hope that if I speak plainly no one will find offense. This is merely the story of my introduction to Pahoa Village.

In 1993 I entered escrow on my property in Pahoa Village. I was quite thrilled at the prospect of owning a place in Hawaii and was unsure at the time if I would live there, have a vacation place or perhaps rent it out over time. I had been living for 10 years in a beach front home in a Southern California beach community.

When I told people what and where I had bought I was told by everyone that I had made a huge mistake. The area was rife with crime and as a houle I would get a cold reception. The locals, I was told, were largely Japanese Hawaiian and haoles such as my self were not much wanted or appreciated there. All I could do was shrug my shoulders and take it with a grain of salt. I was in escrow. I was basically confident I had found the location that best suited me and I guess I would just find out.

After closing escrow I finally got to spend more than an hour on the property and came over to start cleaning it up and assessing the task in front of me. My first contact with a neighbor, as I whacked on the vines and overgrowth, was a voice front the street saying “ Helloooooo, would you like a peanut butter and honey sandwich?”. This woman is my neighbor and one of my best friends. She is 88 now and I hope I can be as friendly, helpful and busy and engaged as she someday.

The next morning I wokeup and found I had a flat tire on my pickup. I decided to walk into town for breakfast and some shopping before fixing it and an hour or so later when I returned I was mystified to find the tire wasn’t flat anymore. Later that afternoon I met my second neighbor....who said to me “Heya, I saw you had a flat so I fixed it for you”. Now I gotta say that in California I do not think anyone would even consider fixing a flat tire for a stranger. I had to tell myself.....if these are the unfriendly ones god save me from the friendly folks. I might not be able to handle that much good will and aloha.

Lastly, on that same trip as I prepared to leave for the mainland I thought about all the stories about thieves and crime in the area. So as I left the house I placed a $35 tool and a six pack of beer on the front steps and figured it was worth it to find out how safe the neighborhood was. Two months later when I returned the tool and the six pack were still sitting right where I left them. At that point I knew I had found my home.

I can’t promise anyone their experiences will be the same. These are mine and reflect at least one reality here in Pahoa. I invite folks to tell their stories.