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Looking for some honest feedback. I come from a small town on the mainland. Have lived all over the country from small villages in Alaska to small towns in Georgia and have visited the island. Over the years I have found that the 60 hour corporate work weeks and lifestyle that comes with it are not where my roots are leading me. I want to get back to farming / ranching and a community of people. Recently, I have been looking at some ranch land north of the DHHL. I have done the necessary reading to know it is windy and off the grid and what it generally would take to sustain a home with my family (windbreak, solar, water issues, etc.) What I do not know and would like to better understand is if over time I can acclimate to the community? I have small children and want to teach them right. Any advice or feedback is welcome and appreciated.
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I will give you the time honored PW answer of - 'Git yer boots on the the ground'!!
I recommend exploring to see if you will be able to acclimate to the community. Try renting in Waiohinu, Naalehu or even Pahala. Acquaint yourself with Ocean View and Ranchos. Drive through Disco(very) Harbor, and Green Sands Subdivision. Really explore the entire South Point area and see for yourself if it's for you. Good luck!
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Good advice and I appreciate you taking the time. I plan on staying a couple weeks in January in the Naalehu and Disco(very) Harbor area. Every time I move (about 10 times now) to a new place it takes a while for people to get a feel for each other and really get out and be part of. I'm looking to make this move one of my last.
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You're on the right track then, Aloha.
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There are much better areas for farming and ranching. Have you thought about areas that get more rain and have actual soil? What kind of crops are you looking at?
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Air Quality: Ka'u District receives more vog than any other area on the island. The area is affected with the greatest number of days and highest concentration of vog emissions from the volcano. If air quality is a concern, it's a consideration.
Ag theft: Farmers in the area have a problem with ag theft. The orange farm had to close down years ago, and coffee farms have experienced loss to thieves as well. If you're raising cattle it may not be a problem.
Shopping: Choices are limited, and you may need to drive a distance for almost everything. The main grocery store in Na'alehu closed recently.
Schools: I'm guessing they are not the best on the island, but perhaps a teacher could weigh in
Medical: Extremely limited medical facilities
Police: A small step up from nothing
No fathers or mothers think their own children ugly; and this self-deceit is yet stronger with respect to the offspring of the mind. -Miguel de Cervantes, novelist (1547-1616)
"I'm at that stage in life where I stay out of discussions. Even if you say 1+1=5, you're right - have fun." - Keanu Reeves
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Ditto to the above, even in priority of listing. I lived in Naalehu for 2 years & moved out when the Halemaumau Crater opened up sending vast amounts of vog that way. Not good for young lungs. Pahala high has an emergency (shut the windows) system for when it gets really bad. It is beautiful inexpensive rural country, but poverty is an issue & all the things that brings w/ it. Waiohinu has the best water on the island from Ha'ao Springs, the hardware store is great & there are food stores in Ocean View. I would never live in Ocean View (lava zone 2), crime is scary & it's mostly naked lava. Trips to Kona or Hilo are over 65 miles each way. Grazing animals do better there, the grass is full of nutrients as opposed to very rainy areas in Puna. I know a horse breeder who transports his horses to Waiohinu to fatten up. There are good & bad people everywhere, it usually depends on how you see them. It can take a long time to be accepted there & you have to prove yourself worthy, which I'm sure you're aware of in small villages. The kids may have a hard time in school being accepted. You can also check on KonaWeb.
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Ranching is my primary plan (cows and goats, a couple horses and some chickens for personal use). Farming would be like large scale gardening with some extra for neighbors and farmer's market type retail. My kids are just starting school and would appreciate any feedback on the elementary schools. I have a harder time understanding the VOG. I have looked at the Hawaiian websites and it looks like the VOG gets thin or is pushed away from the area near the point, is this a correct read by me? When I visit, what is the best way to understand the effect of VOG?
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Thank you all for the advice and info.
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My kids are just starting school and would appreciate any feedback on the elementary schools.
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For this reason, your family would be much better off if you bought a ranch somewhere on the mainland. That area is extremely tough for outsiders (especially children) in every respect.
