The last few weeks I have received dozens of emails regarding our property for sale. I thought it would be nice to post some answers to the many questions people have asked me about this area.
On Neighborhoods
Buying raw land in a completely new place is exciting but also scary. If you are living on the mainland and thinking of buying land in Puna I would definitely recommend flying out here and spending a week driving through the different communities, for they have their own positives and negatives. I'm not as familiar with Pahoa, but I can tell you I personally would rather be in upper Puna, I like that area better. Pahoa town (lower Puna) is a very unique, small hippie town. It's an artsy community with some wonderful dining, but for me I connect better with the locals in the Hawaiian Acres and Orchidland area better. I feel and this is my personal opinion, that the people living in this area are living here, more for the off grid/sustainable benefits and less for the off grid/ free for all, benefits. I hope that doesn't offend anyone. As far as your distance from Hilo, lower Puna and upper Puna are about the same. Once you get past the Acres heading toward Volcano you run through Fern Acres, Eden Roc and Mountain View. All of are these similar in landscape, climate, rain etc. to Hawaiian Acres, the elevation is just a bit higher, there for a bit cooler. You may have some less sunny days and of course the closer to the volcano, you may experience more VOG. However I think as far as land scape Hawaiian Acres seems to have the most "weed trees," such as wiwi and albizia. The farther closer you get to the volcano the more old growth you see, ohia and hapuu. I know there are some 20 acre farm lots in Mountain View, quiet, cool elevation, safe. This was something we considered. Continuing south you'll go through Fern Forest. For me, this is my least favorable community, for some reason I get the eeby jeebys whenever I go through Fern Forest I just don't feel very safe over there. All of these communities may or may not have access to power poles. This is something to find out before you buy. For example we are 10 poles away from power. At $8,000 a pole, electric hookup is just not an option. If it's something you may want, you'll need to ask. Any of these communities will supply enough rain for catchment. There are some communities such as Hawaiian Paradise Park, which is on the way to Pahoa that are a bit more developed and electric is ready for hookup, but you still get the benefits of water catchment. I personally really like HPP.
On Bulldozing/Grading
Of course it's your choice whether you want to clear a small spot and live in the woods, or clear your entire property. The existing landscape will tell you how much work it will be. If your property is filled with guava/wiwi it will take a D9 to get the root balls out. Digging them out by hand is time consuming and exhausting. If you don't dig them out they will grow right back. A D9 can run from $500-$1000 a day. You can book them by the hour or day. If you have mostly ferns and ohia, life is going to be a lot easier! So make sure you ask what is growing on the property. We were able to hand clear (with just a chain saw and weed whacker) a good portion of our property. Also if the property has never been cleared or graded before you may need to have it ripped to flatten it out a bit. This can also be costly too. You will also need to consider putting come money aside to have a driveway scraped and blue rock poured down so that when it rains you don't get stuck in the mud. Just some things to consider when your deciding which lot is best for you. How much work are you willing to do? Some of the more wooded properties make the most beautiful private driveways, but it takes a lot of work!
Also the more trees, ferns, bushes, etc the more places for rats, bugs mosquitoes and mongooses to live. The more you clear the more pests you get rid of. But also the more beauty, nature and privacy you get rid of.
Remember to check flood patterns in the area of your potential lot. A real estate agent may say the property has "season streams." What might sound quaint, could potentially flood your property and damage your home.
On Pests
Another common question I've been asked is about coqui frogs. Yes every community in East Hawaii has them. All you can do is drive by the land around sunset, so you can get an idea of how loud they are. Here on our property they are not that bad. On some properties they are ear piercing.
There are no snakes or monkeys! Lol. But there are rats, ants, spiders, wasps, mosquitoes and centipedes. Most are somewhat controllable. However, if you are highly allergic to mosquito bites I would really recommend you live in Kona. It is impossible to control the mosquitoes. There is no die-off season and there is always standing water somewhere, if not on your property then someone elses. I am not highly allergic to them but even with that being said, if you hate them, it may be hard for you to live here. One little mosquito trapped in your house can really have the power to drive you bonkers! Especially when they buzz around your ear while you try to sleep :) I really had to adjust coming from hot Arizona where the mosquito season was only 2 weeks long. But if you love your off grid life enough, you'll learn to deal with it. Chickens are a great helpers, they love to eat bugs, centipedes especially.
Most anyone in Puna will deal with wild pigs and mongooses. They are not so aggressive as mostly they are just destructive. The pigs will root up you garden, they love banana roots and may even get in your trash. The mongooses may attack your chickens. For anyone not familiar with them they are like little hardy ferrets. It is not legal to fire a gun at a pig on your property, although people often do. You can use a bow an arrow, or a pig trap legally and eat as many as you like. However if you set up a pig trap you have a responsibility to keep an eye on it. Many people end up trapping there neighbors dog in it, as you can imagine that could upset them. With that being said there is also a persons own responsibility to keep there animals whether it be dogs, sheep, goats or whatever fenced or leashed. However this often does not happen, it's important that you come to the island with some tolerance for other peoples free range animals. It's just a way of life.
On Fencing/ Property Line
Here in the Acres and I imagine on all properties there are four metal pins that have been put in the ground defining the four corners of your property line. If the property is over grown you can pay someone to come out to survey and stake the property so that you can define your exact property line. Or you can use a metal detector and try and fine your pins yourself. Just remember encroachment is against the law. If you get lazy and plant or build on the property line, because no one is there, maybe next year, maybe ten years you may find yourself in a yucky situation. For your own protection, define your correct property line before a neighbor moves in.
I personally think fencing is unnecessary unless you have live stock. However, I have heard that if you do not post (no trespassing sign) or put up a driveway gate/chain that the police can legally enter your property without warrant. We have never posted and do not have a gate, the only unwanted guests we have had are bible pushers (no offense). Either way a gate is probably not a bad idea. Yet we have had no trouble without one.
Crime/Violence/Drugs
There are of course many pot smokers on the island. This is not something I condone or advocate, but I think you may need some tolerance for it, you will see it often. As far as hard drugs ice/speed has become a problem on some of the islands. I see it no more here than I saw it on the mainland. I don't feel it interrupts my general feeling of safety or comfort. The Big Island has started a strong movement against it. I believe eventually it will be mostly pushed off the island. Petty theft can be a problem. Living somewhere in the country with no one around, yeah your shovel or generator might walk away. Get to know your neighbors, and look out for each other. In all honesty this feels like the safest place I've ever lived. Violent crimes are just sooo rare here. In fact the last murder that happened on the island was a tourist that killed another tourist. If someone steels a car the DJ just announces it on the radio. I mean, it's an island, where are they really going to go?
On Building/Permits
Building an un-permitted structure is illegal. However in just about all parts of Puna it is tolerated. Many people use an RV, camp or get a container to live in while they build. I personally think building a small dry spot to live in while you build your permitted home is the way to go. Then later you have an ohana for guests. Living on property or nearby is a good idea that way your tools and wood don't get stolen. We never had anything taken, but it does happen. If you decide to build a kit or prefab home supplied by a company such as HPM or Argus your building permits are going to go through quite a bit faster as soon as 60 days. If you are building a custom home, they will take longer. I have heard up to a year or more. Remember anything built in Hawaii must be signed off by a licensed Hawaii architect before it will be approved. Many people living in Puna are off grid and or un-permitted. It's nice to have such freedom, but remember if your doing it, you better keep your nose out of the neighbors business. Glass houses you know? lol There are no community associations getting in your business here, and that's why people live here. Everything you see might not be anything like the mainland, rusted-out cars, houses piece-milled together, multiple structures on one property, trash piled up. It's country you know?
On Internet Service/TV/Utilities
I think by far Verizon is the best on the island. Unless you live right in Hilo your service will never be extremely fast. I would recommend a Wilson Mobile Wireless Dual Band Amplifier. It definitely helps boost your signal. Service will be hit or miss it all depends on your exact location. We use our phones as a hot spot, with the signal booster our service is fair-good. I can do my blog, watch you tube videos, the basics. 4G is not available on the island. We have a $40 TV antenna that gives us about 10 channels, the basics plus PBS. It comes in fine. No cable Internet or cable TV sorry guys.
You will have to haul your own trash if you live in Puna. There are transfer stations near each respective community that you can take your trash too.
You will need a PO BOX, no mail service. If you have an address (i.e a permitted structure is the only way to have a physical address assigned to your lot) then FED EX and UPS will actually drive out on our crappy roads to deliver your packages! I am so impressed by this :)
Well that's about the last bit of advice I can give anyone thinking of moving off grid. I hope this blog has answered some questions for people! And if you are considering moving to Kona, well keep reading I'm sure I'll have a lot to learn and share :) I guess the number one piece of advice I could leave anyone with who is considering moving to Hawaii is.... smile. Not everyone here has perfect teeth, clean clothes, some people living in the back woods look down right scary. But you can never tell a book by it's cover here. 99.9% of the time you'll get a great big grin in return. And when your driving down these off grid roads looking for your own piece of paradise, show respect to those who came before you, throw the shaka, wave, smile, whatever just spread the Aloha. I promise you will get it back!
