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+--- Thread: Hawaiian Acres & the "roads" conversation (/showthread.php?tid=5782)
Hawaiian Acres & the "roads" conversation - Susan - 08-11-2009
We have spent years working toward the purchase a couple of acres in Puna. We gave up the idea multiple times only to find ourselves miserable with the decision. So, come h_ll or high water in a couple of weeks we are going to finally do what we have been dreaming of.
Myth or fact? - No one in Hawaiian Acres can get construction loans due to the road conditions? Our Realtor is warning against Hawaiian Acres for this reason.
Orchid Land is our first location choice for location, elevation, and access to Hilo. Unless our ship comes in we will always be working class people so one or both of us are going to have to work. We might not be able to afford Orchid Land.
Hawaiian Acres seems to be the next logical choice for location and elevation. The "roads" stories have us a little scared.
Will there be gradual improvements with the roads in Hawaiian Acres? We know about the water runoff issue in along sections roads A B and C as we have friends that live in Orchid Land.
We think Fern Acres is beautiful. The paved roads are a plus.
We can't decide whether the paved roads are worth going to that elevation. It's not the rainfall amount that worries us, it's the possibility we may not be able to grow sustainable food or we will be under cloud cover a majority of the time.
HPP is on our list of last resort. We want to selectively hand clear, not rip pole to pole. We aren't buying the land to live as if we were on the mainland.
Any and all opinions are appreciated. Time is growing short and we have spun this over and over between ourselves.
Thanks, Susan
RE: Hawaiian Acres & the "roads" conversation - missydog1 - 08-11-2009
I would pick HPP any day, but of course no one can pick for you.
Orchidland is so damp and full of molds.
Some years ago when we first got here we had a friend who told us about how he was building in HPP while renting in Orchidland, and how on the makai side life was good but on the mauka side the mold battle was ugly. Later my son lived in Orchidland and found it depressing, again due to the swampiness and mold. I looked at property there in 2007 but there was too much damp and mud for me, and the roads were horrible. Hawaiian Acres at the time I felt was even more sketchy.
I have a low comfort level with having sketchy neighbors amongst the cool neighbors. You hear about all the problems in HPP but I think it's because people are trying hard to change it into a safe place.
Only you can decide your comfort level.
As for the roads, I thought they were horrible in both subdivisions, and decent in HPP.
Also I hate the left turn out of Orchidland to go to Hilo. It's very sketchy.
My last opinion, but a strong one, is that if you don't trust your real estate agent enough to take his or her advice, you should find a new agent. If you trust this agent, you should pay heed to the person who is guiding you through this process. Sometimes an agent doesn't get what you want, and that is not good, but other times the agent does get what you want but knows that the place you think you'll find what you want is not the place you are drawn to.
Personally I think that if you buy land in a Puna subdivision before you live on island you are taking a chance on making a serious mistake. It is too easy to see a property in its best light, miss the crappy neighbors. Heck, it's hard to shop in Puna living in Hilo. I have done it. There's so much land for sale now, why not come over and rent and then buy it? You need a transition on island before jumping in. Live in the subdivision for at least three months, definitely for a winter, and then see if you want to spend decades there. For sure don't count on selling that land if you make a mistake!
RE: Hawaiian Acres & the "roads" conversation - dcl - 08-11-2009
Hmm, I live in Orchidland, and have no issues with the mold. One of the benefits is the fact that it has not been ripped of all trees. We have never run out of water in our catchment tank, which is a plus as well. That's why it is hard to tell you what is best for you, as each of us have our own reasons for living where we do. I love where we are at. Others think differently, so come and look, ask more questions and then decide.
RE: Hawaiian Acres & the "roads" conversation - John S. Rabi - 08-11-2009
I have a friend who used to live in Hawaiian Acres. She told me the residents are up in arms against any kind of road improvements, so don't count on any changes anytime soon. With land prices being so low in Puna you should have lots of options.
Aloha,
John S. Rabi, GM,PB,ABR,CRB,CM,FHS
808.989.1314
http://www.JohnRabi.com
Typically Tropical Properties
"The Next Level of Service!"
RE: Hawaiian Acres & the "roads" conversation - lquade - 08-11-2009
well, as many opinions as people. i love mt. view and hawaiian acres. if roads are an issue, road 1 and 8 are paved, road 8 is a county road and always maintained. i have never heard of the loan issue, except now that lenders are not lending in lava zone 1 at all. mold is an issue of circulation. if you build hawaiian style you should not have mold issues. i personally wouldnt touch HPP with their association issues but alot of people love it there i guess. i saw a nice house (foreclosure) in fern acres (2 acres, paved road) for 96K. you cant build for that. i do agree if possible to rent while you see what your "style" is. at least you are on the right track, asking questions to people who actually live in the subdivisons.
RE: Hawaiian Acres & the "roads" conversation - PaulW - 08-11-2009
Welcome to Punaweb and the best of luck with your move! You've picked the right part of the world, and the right time to buy.
The prices are higher in HPP because, taken over a large number people looking for somewhere to live, more people want to live there than in other subdivisions. Make of that what you will.
I live in HPP but we also have mold issues, and my catchment tank is never empty.
RE: Hawaiian Acres & the "roads" conversation - Bullwinkle - 08-12-2009
lquade has good points .. fewer bugs at altitude too.
RE: Hawaiian Acres & the "roads" conversation - leilaniguy - 08-12-2009
Hi Susan. I lived in Hawaiian Acres about 20 years ago, at the very back. Except for the 8rd. extension and the 9rd. escape route, the roads are exactly the same now as they were back then. They get graveled and graded occasionally, but the weather usually wipes that out in a few weeks. There were many winter nights we wished we had heat. There may be a few less bugs at that elevation, but still plenty to go around. I had no luck growing tomatoes or squash outdoors.
RE: Hawaiian Acres & the "roads" conversation - leilaniguy - 08-12-2009
Go to Youtube, type in "Hawaiian Acres Roads" from Blakeyboy. Great example of the average HA roads.
RE: Hawaiian Acres & the "roads" conversation - sistersue - 08-12-2009
Hi - I agree with having a good real estate agent. It took me a few weeks to find my acre (6 years ago)in HPP with the guidance of Craig Shigeoka from Brilhante Real Estate. He showed me the lots I was interested in and advised me against certain ones that I wanted, for different reasons. He even drove around the neighborhood to see the way the lots slanted. I ended up with the perfect lot. I also got it for $15,000. Six months later the market sky-rocketed and the lot next to mine went for sale for $90,000! That was extreme though. I will always be very grateful to Mr. Shigeoka. I've lived here for 22 years and what I've learned is that Hawaiian Acres is beautiful in the summer but it rains too much in the winter. Also some of the roads are hideous. I would think Orchidland would be fine. You'd get 2 acres for the price of one in HPP. I love HPP. It's easy to get to Hilo and it has a lot of good or okay roads. Good luck and welcome!