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Hi everyone, I'm new here. I have been doing some browsing, but haven't caught any direct information sources pertaining to my interests, so I thought I'd offer some questions, if you would be so kindly inclined.
I'm in the process of designing a smaller(1000 sq ft or less) local style house ideally on an acre, preferably mauka.
Could someone explain the strictness of the building codes in Puna, and some structural attributes of local homes? Is there a link for city regulations? I haven't found any good links to help keep my design within reason.
If you are on catchment, what are some of the biggest challenges in every day life(other than lack of rain)? Can you design your own catchment?
I'm also trying to find some raw land, and have seen some relatively cheap prices for an acre... when is a good time to buy? Do you have to develop immediately in most neighborhoods? I'm not looking for any utilities besides telephone, just trying to build a natural residence.
Thanks for your answers... take care.
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Go to my web site and click on the link to the Hawaii County Code. Nobody can answer your question about the "right time to buy" but since you are buying something for your primary residence it doesn't matter. You will live there regardless of the value.
Aloha,
John S. Rabi ABR,CM,CRB,FHS,PB,RB
808.989.1314
http://www.JohnRabi.com
Typically Tropical Properties
"The Next Level of Service!"
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As I understand it, mauka is a direction, not a location. Puna ranges from sea level to 4,000 ft elevation.
The only municipal government is the county, hence there are no city regulations. About all I know about the building codes is that house plans must be stamped by an architect or engineer, and plumbing and lectrical work must be performed by licensed contractors. There are all sorts of methods of construction.
When you say "raw land", you could be speaking of entirely new, or newly covered, land. Now that is RAW! That is probably what the low prices you have seen apply to. Prices of land tend to be directly related to proximity and quality of roads.
I'm not aware of anywhere that requires you to develop immediately. Most (all?) of the subdivisions have existed for decades. I'm not aware of telephone lines being in where electricity is not, but who knows?
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Thinking you might want to do some extensive searching here because there is a ton of info discussed concerning the issues you listed, not only code, but design issues related to local climate and about all you could think to ask concerning catchment. Enjoy the search and be to come back for more. [  ][ ]
David
Ninole Resident
Ninole Resident
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Also, there is no "City" code, the Island of Hawaii is one county, and the county building codes apply to all structures built with a permit in the county. The County Code for Buildings is:
http://www.hawaii-county.com/countycode/chapter05.pdf
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The County of Hawaii Building Codes are the 1991 Uniform Building Code as amended by Hawaii County. The '91 UBC is standard across the United States and the local libraries probably have a copy of it. It's the one with the blue cover. The amendments are probably on the Hawaii County Website.
Most structural attributes of local homes are there because of our weather. Think loads of rain and humidity mixed with tropical sun. Three foot roof overhangs are normal to keep the sun off the sides of the house to keep it cool as well as to keep the rain off to keep the house dry. Allowing the tradewind breezes to blow through the house is considered a very good thing. Some houses up on post and pier foundations even have screened vents in the bottom of the closets to let the air flow through. Vents up near the roof allow the hot air to escape. Depending on your elevation and how the house is situated in the tradewinds you may want to have the vents movable.
Generally cruising through the local hardware stores will give you a good idea of which materials are locally available. Bringing in special stuff from the mainland can be expensive. Electric rates are really steep so most folks use gas or solar water heaters and gas ranges. Photovoltaic electricity is getting more economical all the time considering the new prices HELCO is charging.
Local houses are also usually much smaller than their mainland counterparts since our weather is nice enough year around that we don't go into hibernation in the winter like the mainland folks do. Accessing the outside is important and that is frequently accomplished with the addition of large lanais.
If you have any questions about how to draw up the plans for your new house send me an email at hotzcatz@yahoo.com and I can hopefully answer your questions. Drawing up plans for houses is basically what I do - although I also repair mechanical clocks, too. Not that there's much call for that, but somebody's gotta do it or we would have no cuckoo clocks left. 
"I like yard sales," he said. "All true survivalists like yard sales."
Kurt Wilson
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Sort of off-topic, but maybe some of the resident experts can help. I had heard that Hawaii County was considering moving to more current version of the Universal Building Code. For some reason, the 1997 or 2000 version is what I seem to remember. Anyone know about this?
John Dirgo, R, ABR, e-PRO
Aloha Coast Realty, LLC
808-987-9243 cell
http://www.alohacoastrealty.com
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quote:
Originally posted by jdirgo
I had heard that Hawaii County was considering moving to more current version of the Universal Building Code. For some reason, the 1997 or 2000 version is what I seem to remember. Anyone know about this?
June 30, 2007 is the latest revision.
Aloha,
John S. Rabi ABR,CM,CRB,FHS,PB,RB
808.989.1314
http://www.JohnRabi.com
Typically Tropical Properties
"The Next Level of Service!"
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Yes, they are considering (rumor through a trusted source) skipping years, and also moving to the current IRC.
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The county official told me in November 2007 that in January they will be adopting a new building code.I did asked the forum about this new code,but at the time noone had any information about it.
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