Firewood Project

[dakine]

All the ideas about alternatives to heating with wood are fine and dandy, though this project is not addressing them. What Pam has put together is simple, and has a simple goal.

First is to recognize that there are people, most of them elderly, some disabled, but all who have lived in the Volcano area a long time, have had a life where they've heated their homes with wood, and have become either disabled, or alone due to the passing of a spouse etc., and have relied on wood as their source of heat before they became unable to fulfill that need themselves.

Secondly was to identify sources of wood that it's removal itself would be a benefit to those the wood was gathered from. For this people with dead trees (mostly ohia) in lower Puna, where the tree(s) were in the way, close to houses etc., and their removal itself would be a help to the land owner.

Putting the two together has been a small crew of us, who cut load and haul the wood up to the Volcano area where we store it while it dries out (cures) and then is chopped and delivered to the needy people in Volcano. This is not an effort to change the way things are. We do not encourage people that have traditionally heated their homes with wood to consider other methods, nor do we charge anyone for this service on either the collection or distribution ends. It is simply an effort to acknowledge a need and help meet it.

And yes, what is cold to one may not be as impacting to another. In Volcano it is not mainland winter type temperatures, but when it is raining the high humidity combined with the lower temps does make for a sense of cold that is stifling especially to those who are older and or disabled and less active.

All told I think this is an honorable project, and any help any of you wish to contribute is greatly appreciated. Other than that I can say that discouraging remarks are unwarranted, and encouragement in any form is greatly appreciated. Mahalo

[DanielP]

I get you dakine, and as stated earlier,hope to help as soon as I am able. A Note; If the wood is not muddy a chain can last hours in the hard Ohia. Sometimes it is better to do the felling and bucking at once; keep it clean. A sharp chain on a small saw will cut circles around a big saw and a muddy log. BTW, there is alot of pushed Ohia up here on the hill. Exact location undisclosed until later. Save alot of fuel.

Dan

[pslamont]

We ar limited by the owners letting us know usually no more than a week in advance... that they are having trees cut down. We do not drop the trees, not the skill, not the necessary insurance, etc... we just cut them up and haul them home. Usually there is no mud on the trees as Leilani is a fairly dry area. Sometimes the owners have thm bucked up but often we have to do it. thy are usually newly felled trees but that are dead so pretty dry. They are almost always ohia. It's heavy and hard work. I used to e right in there cutting and/or hauling but my recent ill ness has left me weak and with poor balance so I am no longer a candidate.

Anyone who even sends us good thoughts or will consider helping out (even just laoding cut up wood to truck and trailer) if they can make the short notice date will be so very appreciated. Volcano is wet, not only cold so the wood fires dry out the air and keep down the mold/mildew issues. These unwell and/or elderly ladies appreciate it so much. We now have a large metal "barn" that we use to season the wood for a year. we had one fellow that has a major health problem but who still comes out and helps do what he can (which is a LOT). He came and picked up wood this week instead of us delivering it. It is so satisfying to know we can make this project continue to work even though I am out of the mix.

I know I "giuilted" some of you into responses and it probably was not "fair" but I just wanted some responses so thank you all so much. We ar waiting to hear from an owner for next week. Will post something as soon as I can and if you are not available that is okay. Thanks for considering us. Pam




I want to be the kind of woman that, when my feet
hit the floor each morning, the devil says

"Oh Crap, She's up!"

[DanielP]

Pam,

I have a few that need removed tomorrow and can buck them into 4' lengths and bring them up 2 you if you want them.

Dan

[pslamont]

OH Yeah. Thank you so much. Call me 345 8440 i will give you durections. and to set up a day for you to come uup. Thank you so much again!!!!




I want to be the kind of woman that, when my feet
hit the floor each morning, the devil says

"Oh Crap, She's up!"

[DanielP]

Got hung up with equipment operators late (surprise,surprise) so threw the whole schedule back. Going on a dive vaca Kona side, but I assure you it will happen, just Hawaiian speed.

Dan

[pslamont]

One learns to live with Hawaiian time here. That is why we can't plan ahead real well. When the cutters show up, drop the trees, the owners finally call us... then it is a matter of who's chain saw is down, if the cutters buck up the trees or not... often not... then gathering people. I used to d much of it myself but nt this last year. Not an option. I can not change that.

Have a wonderful time Daniel IP. I miss my diving. Again not an option for me now. I look forward to hearing from you after. How in the world are you going to lift 4 loot lengths of ohia into your truck? We can barely lift 16 inters the over and over it takes to load a truck and trailer. I can't imagine being that strong. Good on you my man. OUr canisaw just broke so we have to wait two more weeks for a part to arrive, so certainly no rush here. We will hae to cut up four footers to stack in the drying are.

Again thank you so much for your generous contribution.

Pam

I want to be the kind of woman that, when my feet
hit the floor each morning, the devil says

"Oh Crap, She's up!"

[Carey]

Hey PAM & crew,

We are trimming down one of our avocados (noticed the dang thing was full of blossoms & didn't want smash-guamole again this year from the dang things flying down from 40'!) & should have a 1/2 - full load of green logs & kindling by Monday.... is there any interest in this wood (will also have some other small kind kindling mixed in like orange & tangerine - those are more seasoned...)

As you know the longer it is here, the more likely it will grow...but will store out if needed for a little bit...

[bananahead]

I dont need firewood (I have a propane heater) and I chainsaw my own multi acre yard weekly... its alot of work and I dont LOVE IT , and very dangerous too, especially the rubbish Albizia, Ironwood, Gunpowder, Trumpet, African Tulip, etc. trees (a guy was killed last year in Hilo cutting trees). I am not a Pro at big trees and only have a medium size saw with old chain I need for sharpen a few times a day, and dont have a ton of $$ for gas for my old truck, etc. thats one reason you may not get many responses... (tree cutters make good $$ for a reason, because of the grueling labor involved and extreme danger for man and structures)
Clear cutting small trees/shrubs (ie waiwi, melastoma, schefflera etc.) is easy, but it not "firewood" so Im sure you arent asking for them easy kine..... Big tree like seen in Leilani Estates are for Pros (that whole area is all screwed up w/invasive big ass alien trees)

good luck, I hope you get someone who know what they are doing
aloha

PS please dont cut any Ohia's down just for firewood, they are a very sacred Hawaiian tree, and if you need for cut any, they (large straight ones) are worth good $$ as they are a good hardwood in demand for construction

save our indigenous and endemic Hawaiian Plants... learn about them, grow them, and plant them on your property, ....instead of all that invasive non-native garbage I see in most yards... aloha

[nana valley]

Pam, I understand how frustrating it can be to ask for help and not see responses. Please know, in my case, I have read your post and have mentally noted it in case some wood comes into my "hands".
I do have some dead Ohia but I can't cut them down and they might be tricky to cut anyway because of the power service line
But two have fallen and are on the side of my driveway to be cut and loaded. I can do that but I just need to take the time to get the saw out (hand saw..lol) and cut them. Thanks to the winds we had, the two small-diameter logs just fell this week! When I get them in the car, I will call you and set up a time to drop them off. Aloha!