back to the yurt idea

[kalakoa]

Ag power might be a better fit for this application.

Doing "whatever County tells me" may not be the best approach here.

Then again, I'm some kind of anti-science wingnut. I couldn't possibly know anything.

[kalakoa]

Figured it out: I'm amused by "must have grid power!" even though it makes me judgemental and/or a hypocrite.

[David M]

I have to say, must have grid power and live in a glorified tent does make me chuckle.
Having been off grid a number of years has spoiled me I guess.
David

Ninole Resident
Please visit vacation.ninolehawaii.com

[unknownjulie]

OH no, I feel this thread veering off into "parenting territory"! Anyhow, I dont really know why anyone would think a single woman with three little kids would "want to" or "have the time" to be messing with catchment water, solar systems, milling her own grain to make homemade pizza crusts, or refusing to shop at Walmart. It's not like my tiny little house or a yurt would have a large "ecological footprint". And I do love the phrase, "the best parents are the ones who dont have kids". Anyhow, my philosophies on "solar power" or "shopping at walmart" or whatever - come second to taking care of my kids, and they are the priority right now. IT is not going to be good for my kids to have me in tears, and stressed, and taking time, dealing with a solar system- having strange workmen around to "take a look at it", or being berrated on this message board because I "should have thought of this prior to moving into a house with solar power" (which is really just another way of saying, "why isnt your man around to take care of it, and what did you do to make you become a single parent?"). I know very well that I am not 'handy" and cant deal with solar at all. It is good to know ones limitations.

[Kapohocat]

quote:

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Originally posted by Oregon Woodsmoke....

For a yurt, it would be better to go to the people who sell the yurts and use their plans. Probably they have plans that have already passed the county process and they are going to put the yurt up, anyway, so let them use their own people to cut the pad and pour the concrete for you.

.... they know how to walk the plans through the county.

Try contacting Yurt Girl and get some information from a person who does it for a living.

---

Yes to contacting yurt girl. I believe Daniel Bona also draws the foundation plans for a yurt.

And the county no longer lets you "walk" the plans. They now have some totally convoluted system. Been in place a few weeks, heard it isnt working well.

[unknownjulie]

Thanks Kapohocat! Done posting today though, will be over my limit.

[kalakoa]

I agree: it's good to know your limitations and to focus on what's important...

That said, people who need "full conveniences" should limit themselves to places which have that infrastructure. This rules out most of Puna. Hence my (and apparently others') confusion at the apparent disconnect between "build my own tent" and "must have grid power".

It's not a "parenting" issue ... except for the part about teaching the kids to "need" that infrastructure. At least they'll have a yard to play in!

[unknownjulie]

What an exhausting day. I found a house on the market for 2 hours and put in a fullpriced offer, without even seeing the inside. My offer was accepted. Who knows what will happen now, but I hope I am done with this stress. It shall be a storage yurt out in orchidland. I am hopefully moving up the hill in Hilo with full utilities. Who knows how much work this house will need. It looks to be a lot, but I wont know until I actually get to see the interior in a couple weeks!

[mac nut]

Interesting idea about a concrete slab and 4 foot stem wall. This would give the yurt more interior height and perhaps help keep it cooler. Keep in mind that cement work is rather expensive here. I think my 600 square foot slab for my garage was close to 6k. I admire your adventurous spirit! Thats what makes hawaii such a neat place, dont sell yourself short and good luck and keep posting!

mac nut

[unknownjulie]

Mahalo Macnut! Yeah, I think the idea of a stem wall is awesome, because you could build an enormous loft inside. I think you could make it look good also, but I'm no architect. I also think it would give the yurt a more "permanent feel". I'd actually put a drain right in the center of the entire circle and use stained concrete for the floor- with the idea of having the entire thing capable of being "hosed down" for cleaning. The other good option that I found, was a "tropic cupola" which is sold by "Pacific Yurts", but could probably be used with any of the brands. IT replaces the acrylic dome on top, with a more open, airy structure, that still appears to be waterproof.