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I have been cyber visiting Puna for some time and have a few general questions.
First off let me say that I live in Alaska and cannot tolerate much heat but am comfortable in cooler temps. I get real hot when it gets above 75 degrees and I prefer it in the 50s at night.
It would seem to me that the Fern Forest subdivision would be a good fit. However, I cannot stand the constant overcast skies like we get here from August till the end of October where you can count the sunny days on one hand - think Seattle in the winter. I am curious if it does this up there in Fern Forest or do you get sunny days or both up there?
How about photovoltaics, are they practical in the clouds?
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I think you mostly get rain and sun at the same time or at least in the same day, but more clouds than sun most of the time, but not clouds like you are describing and not clouds like where I am from in the northeast. It's hard to explain but it seems to let the sun through allot more. Sometimes in the mainland northeast it can seem like night in the middle of the day. You don't get that kind of overcast in Fern Acres.
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Check out Kamuela/Waimea,might be what your looking for.
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I plan to visit this winter for a month or so.
I am thinking that the Puna district is the only affordable way for me to own acreage in Hawaii, me being a blue collar working stiff and all. I have also looked real hard at Orchidland and Hawaiian Acres not sure how I would acclimate.
I was wondering how bad it really is in Fern Forest considering how much cheaper the lots are there.
I already live off the grid in the Ak, 5 miles down a tire killing gravel road, using a diesel generator, wood stove and propane for creature comforts. I would like to do something similar there without the need to fell, buck, split and load 4 cords of firewood a year. I am also familiar with the meth driven thieves here that will steal anything that isn't bolted down. Pot growers and antisocial types that shoot first and ask questions later.
I would like to try out solar but do not have a clue wether it is feasible in Fern Forest.
Any advice would be appreciated.
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If it is cloudier than seattle then i will look for something sunnier[
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"I get real hot when it gets above 75 degrees"
Forget Hawaii then!
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Fern Forest is probably about the limit of where you can live without wanting heat of some sort in the Winter. Up Volcano way it gets cooler at nights (low 40's, some times even high 30's). Even FF is mid-upper 40's most nights, although it's a bit subdivision so some significant variation between the lower and upper elevations. I have a house in Eden Roc and don't really need heat, although it does get cool at night and you want to bundle up or put on an extra blanket. Highs in Fern Forest are probably exactly what you are looking for. Eden Roc is mostly similar but it will occasionally get up into the low 80's. As to rain and cloud, there is ample of both. You are in the 160"+ zone for annual rainfall. It's not uncommon to have 20" in a day on occasion. That said, most days are a mix - some cloud, some sun, a few showers. This has the benefit of moderating the heat and at the same time providing a lush growing environment for living things. Solar is certainly do-able in either subdivision and I know a number of people who have gone that way. I kind of wish we'd done it that way in fact. Others are suggesting some non-Puna areas and that's fine too, but prices are generally much higher there. Mimosa's suggestion to rent first and learn more is excellent. We didn't do it that way, and we got lucky I think. One nice thing about the Big Island is if you don't like the weather where you are, either wait 15 minutes or drive somewhere else. Raining in Mountain View? Might be sunny in Kalapana. Too hot in Hilo? Might be nice and cool in Volcano.
Me ka ha`aha`a,
Mike
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quote:
Originally posted by caswellian
If it is cloudier than seattle then i will look for something sunnier[]
Typical "cloudy days" on the Big Island are broken clouds with sunny breaks as opposed to the season long grey soul sucking you get in the Pacific Northwest. Watch the 'mauka' camera at UH Hilo every so often for an idea of the weather.
Me ka ha`aha`a,
Mike
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I had a coworker who came here from Alaska with her husband. They didn't even finish out the school year, he just couldn't handle the heat and they lived in Glenwood.
Carol
Carol
Every time you feel yourself getting pulled into other people's nonsense, repeat these words: Not my circus, not my monkeys.
Polish Proverb
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The Big Island has just about every single weather pattern you could ever want. Just depends on where you live. Best answer would be to come over for at least a couple weeks and try it out. It's kinda not fair to all that live here - but the Big Island has about the most diverse weather you could ever imagine. Too cold - go downhill. Too wet - go west, etc, etc.
