07-05-2007, 03:28 PM
Just be careful when you are hand clearing. It probably means that you are going to be walking over every inch of your lot. Some areas in Puna have lava tubes. You never know where they might be. And some lava tubes are close to the surface and have a very thin crust on top that can break when you step on them. I talked to someone at the Pahoa Post Office that had that happen to them. Not a pretty picture imagining the foot or leg going down a hole with glass edges.
I won't bother to mention the possibility that there may be centipedes or a caterpillar called (I think) a spiny caterpillar that gives a NASTY sting. My mechanic got stung and his forearm looked like Popeye the Sailor's. No kidding.
So until you know the lay of the land and have it well under control, I suggest sturdy boots, leather gloves, long pants tucked into the boots, and eye protection.
I hand cleared my lot before having a backhoe come do heavier prep. It was a lot of work. Worth it. But still a lot of work. If you are interested in seeing what I did, here is a bit of a chronicle with pics of that phase and a bit of the early construction:
http://www.free2w.com/itsajokeson/default.htm
I won't bother to mention the possibility that there may be centipedes or a caterpillar called (I think) a spiny caterpillar that gives a NASTY sting. My mechanic got stung and his forearm looked like Popeye the Sailor's. No kidding.
So until you know the lay of the land and have it well under control, I suggest sturdy boots, leather gloves, long pants tucked into the boots, and eye protection.
I hand cleared my lot before having a backhoe come do heavier prep. It was a lot of work. Worth it. But still a lot of work. If you are interested in seeing what I did, here is a bit of a chronicle with pics of that phase and a bit of the early construction:
http://www.free2w.com/itsajokeson/default.htm