Lets talk about Hawaiian Acres...

[Dave M]

Thanks Mella,

I do have it but it's the thought that counts

Funny thing is I do think I drove through there about five years ago. But it may have been Fern Acres. Is Fern acres more developed than HA?

Take care,
dave

[toucano]

FWIW: If by pole house you mean the traditional sink treated poles in the ground and then girt and side, before you get your heart all set on that method of construction, you might want to do some checking with the County Building Department here to see if that will be allowed.

I can't speak to the yurt and I am pretty sure that I read here that someone had built a permitted yurt. But that is another construction method that I would want to make sure the County will not give you heartburn trying to get a permit to build.

Don't be surprised if they say no to one or both. This ain't the Mainland. What is permitted and are commonly accepted construction methods and materials many places on the Mainland will not fly here. I know from personal experience.

Cat D. may be able to advise.

[Dave M]

Thanks Touc,

Yeah, I was a bit bummed when I found out that they require the poles to be attached to concrete as opposed to sunk in the ground.

I wanted to in-case them in concrete. I got the poole house idea from www.polehouses.com/ they're located in Hawaii. But I was hoping to get around the attached to the concret pier thing. The thought of attaching a twenty foot pole to a pier with metal straps just seems to take away from the strength of the design. I know there is a concern about WDI (wood destroying insects).

The yurts I found were from a Company also located in Hawaii, Multi Factted something.

My thoughts were to sho my plans to Cat D or someone like that. I wasn't really in to buying a kit from either of the above companies.

If I was looking to build up the rock at a higher elevation I might even look at doing something with logs. But, I live in a pier & beam now and really don't plan to live on slab ever again. (Personal preference)

But yes you're right this ain't the mainland and I'm long way from getting any permits period. Thanks again, dave

Take care,
dave

[toucano]

Many places on the Mainland you can usually use a competent architect and/or structural engineer and use some interesting construction techniques like stacked cord wood, straw bale, rammed earth, post and beam, etc. If a licensed architect or structural PE will sign-off on your plans and assume responsibility, you can usually find a way to do a lot interesting things. But I can't imagine that any of the methods I mentioned, even if materials were available and they were site appropriate, would ever (or certainly easily) be permitted here.

And I agree that the idea of 20' long vertical posts anchored to concrete sort of makes the whole concept of a pole house not very pole houseish... Not to mention a probable construction nightmare.

I personally investigated a very affordable hardwood kit house from Brazil. I've watched them being built there in Brazil and have a good friend in the US that imports them. The construction method is a bit unconventional, but they have been accepted and have been built in places as diverse as Idaho, St. Lucia in the Caribbean, and Europe. The initial reaction from the Building Department was so negative that I said to heck with it. Pick and choose your battles wisely. It wasn't worth the effort that it would have taken me.

You can not get your building permit until you have property to tie it to. So if you want to do something a bit unconventional, take anything anyone tells you about what you can or can not do with a huge grain of salt bearing in mind that the ultimate decider is the Building Department. Building Departments everywhere find it easier and safer to "Just Say NO!" when confronted with something that they are not familiar with.

Cat D's instincts are pretty good about how things will shake out. Even if you find out that your ideas are probably not going to be possible (or simple/affordable), whatever money you spend early on to educate yourself about building here will not be a waste.

[Dave M]

Thanks again Touc,

You're very right in that I need the land first. As you know the land may dictate whats affordable/feasable for me.

I probably should have said I want to show some ideas to Cat and see what flys? I don't think I'll develop the plans without a consult from the island that's for sure.

I do agree with you on the "pick your battles" advice. It's post like yours that make me wonder how people build there without this forum. Oh I'm sure they do but at what cost??

BTW have you built yet? If so where did you build?

Thanks again, very sound advice. dave

Take care,
dave

[Scott_S]

Ainaloa Blvd does allow for another way in and out of HA, you take 8 to f. I also heard they might bring Orchidland dr thru, most likely would be around D rd. Not sure if it would be for the good or bad.

Also in the works is a Saturday farmers market at the community center, that would be nice.

Scott