11-03-2006, 03:02 AM
Kspeed, we moved here without visiting first, so it can be done (I came here to go to the University). Hilolani is a brand new subdivision on the east side of Hwy 11 just a little up (south) from the Prince Kuhio Plaza Mall (Sears, Macys, Safeway & the usuall mall type stores & WalMart, Borders mall just down (north)from that & Home Depot across the way). Between the two is Hawaiian Homeland housing, which is a mix of house styles and conditions, and not at all like Hilolani. This area is at about 200-300 ft elevation, so is out of the tsunami flood area, and is in lava zone 3, which is standard house insurance. It is lower than the highway, so may not get much in trade breezes nor view, but that would dependant on the house & lot. The subdivision is typical suburbia looking, just getting moved into. I noticed that after the heavy rains 2 1/2 weeks ago, most of the homes had just installed drainpipes from the downspouts to the street & some looked as if they had a little washout in the yard (the grass had just been planted, so this probably will not be a big deal in a couple of months).
As the Hilolani homes are very new, it is hard to say what the neighborhhod will be like. There are no really close by public grade schools, all are across Hwy 11 (which is only a couple blocks from Hilolani. The Hawaiian Homelands homes do have many families, and many multigenerational households. I do know that the subdivision had barracades up during construction, but do not know why.
The rain on the east side is not as much a problem as one might think (we were from the Chicago suburbs, and it is a lot like spring/fall all year round) with some torrential rains, but mostly 1/2 to 1 rains, every 1-3 days, with some some dry weeks, and totally rainy weeks. We had a friend visit last March during the middle of a very wet period, and had a blast. The temperature is always nice (65 lowest 90 highest temp throughout the year, with normal temps 70 at night, 85 day).
A lot of people motorcycle, you just always have your raingear handy. Much of intown Hilo has road speeds of 25-30 mph, so riding on light days is not bad. There are a few commuter bus routes, but not a lot (there are 2 intown Hilo routes & one out to Puna that are useful, if you live and work near the stops. Most routes go to the malls and Downtown Hilo Bus Station). Motorcycling to work would also depend on where in Hilo the work is. If it is on top of Mauna Kea, at the observatories, NO (road conditions, high wind & icing)! Most other places, yes.
Many people do rent here for a 1/2 year before buying, this gives you a little time to find the area that fits you, others work with a good real estate person (John Dirgo comes with a lot of high praise by many) from afar. What works for you?
OK, now that I may have confused you more,
Aloha, Carey
Edited by - Carey on 11/03/2006 09:27:17
As the Hilolani homes are very new, it is hard to say what the neighborhhod will be like. There are no really close by public grade schools, all are across Hwy 11 (which is only a couple blocks from Hilolani. The Hawaiian Homelands homes do have many families, and many multigenerational households. I do know that the subdivision had barracades up during construction, but do not know why.
The rain on the east side is not as much a problem as one might think (we were from the Chicago suburbs, and it is a lot like spring/fall all year round) with some torrential rains, but mostly 1/2 to 1 rains, every 1-3 days, with some some dry weeks, and totally rainy weeks. We had a friend visit last March during the middle of a very wet period, and had a blast. The temperature is always nice (65 lowest 90 highest temp throughout the year, with normal temps 70 at night, 85 day).
A lot of people motorcycle, you just always have your raingear handy. Much of intown Hilo has road speeds of 25-30 mph, so riding on light days is not bad. There are a few commuter bus routes, but not a lot (there are 2 intown Hilo routes & one out to Puna that are useful, if you live and work near the stops. Most routes go to the malls and Downtown Hilo Bus Station). Motorcycling to work would also depend on where in Hilo the work is. If it is on top of Mauna Kea, at the observatories, NO (road conditions, high wind & icing)! Most other places, yes.
Many people do rent here for a 1/2 year before buying, this gives you a little time to find the area that fits you, others work with a good real estate person (John Dirgo comes with a lot of high praise by many) from afar. What works for you?
OK, now that I may have confused you more,
Aloha, Carey
Edited by - Carey on 11/03/2006 09:27:17