Land Clearing

[David D]

Aloha to All,

I have 8.288 acres in Kurtistown that I want to have cleared in May 2005. Does anyone have any recommendations? How far in advance to I need to make arrangements? Is a permit needed?

Also, does anyone have a recommendation for someone to fence the land?

Mahalo,
David D

[Rob Tucker]

Hi David, To make any recommendations or suggestions it would be helpful to know what you intend to do with your acres and what state it is in now. Natural? Regrowth? Former farmland gone fallow? What are your ground conditions? solid rock? More info would be useful.

I assume you want to add a driveway, yard and house.

Chairman, Punaweb Committee, MSPA

[David D]

Hi Rob,

The property is very close to Iwasaki Camp and is x-sugar cane land. At a guess, the area looks like it has been fallow for about 15 years or longer. The ground does have good soil but is rocky. I would want retain as much of the soil as possible.

I want to eventually build three structures: a main house, an ohana flat, and a barn. There will likely be a long driveway and about 5 acres will be for farming.

My plan is be there for about two weeks in May ’05 while the land is cleared so that I can see what areas should be leveled for the structures.

If we are really lucky, my wife and I can be there in about a year (job transfer). But it could be as long as six years.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
David D

[wa2hfi]

I would not want to use JOHN BUTCHART if his name comes up as I had my lot cleared by him. I was still in Seattle so I could not supervise what was going on. However my less than talented contractor{thats another story} John Erickson should have been in controll. I was charged 2500 dollars. He was to clear a 100 foot driveway and a 100x200 foot clearing for homesite. He created a large Burm right in front of house. Did not level back of house area. Basically he made some quick money for little work. MY ADVICE. BE THERE when your dozer dude is going to start the clearing

frank battaglia

[David D]

Thanks Frank. I do plan to be there when the work is being done.

Any advice, good or bad, on fencing?

David D

[wa2hfi]

Not sutre about fencing. Expensive if you have 2 acres! Use livestock type fencing and even tht is hard qwork because you have to sink and set posts into lava. Nothings easy here. Try putting natural borders such as shrubbery thats very dense

frank battaglia

[Rob Tucker]

Hi David, Geting back to you intial questions:

8+ acres is a large parcel to maintain. The first suggestion I would make is to have a well thought out master plan. That should inclde your farm roads to access your acres. Not knowing what type of farming you intend I would only consider fencing if there was livestock to contain.

I would suggest that you do not shortchange your road building. A well designed, graded and firm road bed will be a major asset.

There are a number of very competent grading and excavating companies here. It cost money to trailer the equipment to your site so once it is there get as much done as possible. It is impressive how much a good operator can accomplish in a short period.


Chairman, Punaweb Committee, MSPA

[David D]

Hi Rob,

Thanks for the good advice. I’m trying to get as much info as I can now so that when I do have the land cleared I will have a clear plan.

I live on 5 acres now, so I’m familiar with how much work is involved with a large piece of property. And it is a lot of work!

As I said before the plan is to have a main house, an ohana flat, and a barn. I’ve been thinking it might be a good idea to have a catchment tank off the barn for irrigation. What do you think?

David D

[punabound]

We live in HPP and have aquired a great D9H dozer for lot clearing ,if interested call or email or post Gina @ 808-895-2889

[punabound]

We live in HPP and have aquired a great D9H dozer for lot clearing ,if interested call or email or post Gina @ 808-895-2889