Puna/hilo Friends: This Is For Those Who Live In/will Be Moving To This Area (Leilani Estates: hotels, find a job)

[It's My Turn]

Aloha leilaniguy,

Looks like you're the one to talk to about Puna! I consider myself lucky to have found you. I know my husband had concerns with water, septic and such. As we get closer to leaving in December, help with the different locations in Leilani will also be great. I heard that Kula Street and the 1st two lots of Hapuu Street flood. What are the better areas to purchase? I don't mind the daily rain and love the lush foliage (although I need to find out more about ...ugh...roaches. Don't mind mosquitos, centipedes, mold but in what quantity can I expect those creepy crawlies?? This is where my heart is and if I have to adjust, so be it. We'll be staying on and off for some time so by the time I'm there permanently I may be able to say "roach" without gritting my teeth.

Originally Posted by leilaniguy

Aloha to Bernadette. I've lived in Puna off and on since 1989, and in Leilani since 1999. I can answer some of your questions about what the neighborhood is like. (I've always liked it here). cynmkolohe knows much more about R.E. and Hawaii county/ state building codes.

[Badatta2de]

HAha! I too am creepy crawly paranoid. Someone made a comment on one of the other threads about "sumo sized cockroaches". Just the thought of that makes me want to squeal like a little girl and Im 33! I also feel I could learn to live with most things but scorpions freak me out a bit as I almost stepped right on one once in AZ =(

[cynmkolohe]

Originally Posted by Badatta2de

HAha! I too am creepy crawly paranoid. Someone made a comment on one of the other threads about "sumo sized cockroaches". Just the thought of that makes me want to squeal like a little girl and Im 33! I also feel I could learn to live with most things but scorpions freak me out a bit as I almost stepped right on one once in AZ =(

I'm 33 also...and I bet I squeal just as loud as you even after all my years here! There are a few things that help minimize appearances of the cocka-roach, like keeping counters and floors spotless in the kitchen. I saw a huge centipede when moving a stack of lumber just before Hurricane Flossie. But that makes only two in the three years I have lived in this house. Maybe a total of 5-6 since moving to HI. Not too much of a worry on a day-to-day basis for us!

[Badatta2de]

I keep things as clean as possible and have never had a problem yet here. I was once a spotless person, but that was before I had 3 boys

[leilaniguy]

Originally Posted by It's My Turn

Aloha leilaniguy,

Looks like you're the one to talk to about Puna! I consider myself lucky to have found you. I know my husband had concerns with water, septic and such. As we get closer to leaving in December, help with the different locations in Leilani will also be great. I heard that Kula Street and the 1st two lots of Hapuu Street flood. What are the better areas to purchase? I don't mind the daily rain and love the lush foliage (although I need to find out more about ...ugh...roaches. Don't mind mosquitos, centipedes, mold but in what quantity can I expect those creepy crawlies?? This is where my heart is and if I have to adjust, so be it. We'll be staying on and off for some time so by the time I'm there permanently I may be able to say "roach" without gritting my teeth.

The entire subdivision is a very pretty area. The only part some consider less desireable is the lower part near Pohoiki Road close to the geothermal generating station that can be noisey at times. The most popular part is the lower Malama Street area with ocean views,(higher priced). Avoid buying a lot with Albizzia trees, huge dangerous giants that drop leaves and limbs almost constantly. They must be cut down before you build, and can cost thousand$ to remove. Centipedes are rare up here, maybe too wet for their liking. We do have the occasional B52 roach come flying by, but only at night, and they don't like lights.

[GirlinAZ]

Originally Posted by Badatta2de

HAha! I too am creepy crawly paranoid. Someone made a comment on one of the other threads about "sumo sized cockroaches". Just the thought of that makes me want to squeal like a little girl and Im 33! I also feel I could learn to live with most things but scorpions freak me out a bit as I almost stepped right on one once in AZ =(

I am also in my 30s and scream like a little girl when I see a big roach (we get them here in AZ too). It only recently became really embarrising when my 12 yr old boy took a can of raid to one of them like it was nothing and looked at me like I was crazy. I can deal with spiders, and most things but roaches move weird and mosquitos bite, so those are the 2 I hate. I can deal with most else, so needless to say there will be extensive netting going on in my place. Aloha.

[cynmkolohe]

An example of the "more restrictive" Puna CC&Rs....Leilani is known for being an area where the CC&Rs have more effect:

LEILANI COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION, DECLARATION OF COVENANTS
Conditions and Restrictions
The following is a brief synopsis of the above Covenants, as they pertain to all and any improvements. The complete text, as recorded in the Bureau of Conveyances, State of Hawaii, in Liber 6446, was issued to all property owners at time of purchase.

1.ARCHITECTURAL COMMITTEE. Before any building. garage, wall, fence or any other improvement is constructed or maintained upon the lots or any alteration made thereto, a duplicate set of plans and specifications relating to said construction work shall be submitted to the Architectural Committee. (Addressed as above). One set must be the County approved plans, which will be returned (see also item 16).
No improvements of any kind shall be constructed upon any of said lots until the plans and specifications, and the location of such improvements on the lot or lots have been approved in writing.
2. SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCE. All lots shall be used for only single family residence, with only one such residence being permitted on any such lot.
3. GARAGE. Every residence shall have a minimum of a 2-car garage or a 2-car carport, which shall be considered as part of the residence.
4. MINIMUM SIZE. No residence shall be constructed which contains less than 800 square feet of livable ground floor space, exclusive of porches, lanais and garage.
5. HEIGHT No improvement shall be constructed that will exceed 18 ft. in height from the highest point of land within the perimeter of the structure.
6. TEMPORARY or SEPARATE IMPROVEMENTS. No trailer, mobile home, tent, shack, garage or other outbuilding shall be constructed prior to or during construction of a residence.
7. NUISANCE. No noxious or offensive activity shall be carried on upon any of said lots, nor shall anything be done thereon which may become an annoyance nuisance to the neighborhood.
8. MATERIALS. All materials used in the construction of any improvement on any portion of the lots shall be new materials only.
9. FOUNDATIONS. No conventional sub floor framing shall be exposed from any side of any residence. All sub floor framing shall be concealed in a manner acceptable to the Architectural Committee.
10. DRIVEWAYS. Driveways shall be a minimum of 12 feet wide at the street extending 10 feet deep and shall be paved (asphalt or concrete) during or prior to completion of a residence. (A residence is considered completed when it is lived in.)
11. ROOFS. Cedar shakes, cedar shingles, clay tiles, composite materials or metal, shall be among the approved roofing materials.
12. ANIMALS. Only dogs, cats or other household pets may be kept on any of said lots, provided that they are not kept, bred or maintained for any commercial purpose and are otherwise kept in accordance with the zoning ordinances, rules and regulations otherwise applicable.
13. SIGNS. No signs of any kind shall be displayed to the public view on any of said lots except one professional sign used by a builder or Realtor to advertise the property during the construction and/or sales period.
14. RUBBISH and TRASH. No lot shall be used or maintained as a dumping ground for discarded or old vehicles, rubbish, trash, garbage or other waste.
15. ALL CONVEYANCES SUBJECT HERETO. All deeds, mortgages, agreements of sale, leases, or other conveyances made or delivered by any legal or equitable owner of any lot or interest therein shall be subject to the same covenants, conditions and restrictions as in this Declaration set forth whether expressly contained in such conveyance or not.
16. BUILDING PERMIT. No work shall be commenced on the construction of any improvement until a building permit has been obtained from the Building Department of the County of Hawaii as required by law or ordinance.
17. COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION. Each owner shall be a member in good standing of the LEILANI COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION, a Hawaii nonprofit corporation, and shall pay all assessments levied and billed according to law. Unpaid assessments shall constitute a lien against subject property, which may be enforced by suit for money judgement or may be foreclosed by the Association in the same manner as a real estate mortgage may be foreclosed.
COVENANTS RUNNING WITH THE LAND. These covenants, conditions and restrictions shall run with the land, and are of record with the Bureau Conveyances of the State of Hawaii.

[leilaniguy]

It's those strict covenants that keeps it nice. There is a small portion of Leilani, the first 3 blocks closest to the highway, that is not subject to the CCR's. I'm not sure why. It is referred to as "unit 1". I live there on the second gravel road. Some of my neighbors have chickens, one lives in a matson shipping container. Another has a beautiful 4 acre estate with 3 houses. There is everything in between. We try to keep the area as neat as lower Leilani.

[It's My Turn]

Well, the good news is leilaniguy states they don't like lights. I'll take his word for it and leave them on!

[It's My Turn]

Thanks so much for all this info. It's great to be able to be well informed before we get there. Also good to know about your property management. Will be giving you a call when we reach that stage. Pictures were wonderful.

Originally Posted by cynmkolohe

An example of the "more restrictive" Puna CC&Rs....Leilani is known for being an area where the CC&Rs have more effect:

LEILANI COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION, DECLARATION OF COVENANTS
Conditions and Restrictions
The following is a brief synopsis of the above Covenants, as they pertain to all and any improvements. The complete text, as recorded in the Bureau of Conveyances, State of Hawaii, in Liber 6446, was issued to all property owners at time of purchase.

1.ARCHITECTURAL COMMITTEE. Before any building. garage, wall, fence or any other improvement is constructed or maintained upon the lots or any alteration made thereto, a duplicate set of plans and specifications relating to said construction work shall be submitted to the Architectural Committee. (Addressed as above). One set must be the County approved plans, which will be returned (see also item 16).
No improvements of any kind shall be constructed upon any of said lots until the plans and specifications, and the location of such improvements on the lot or lots have been approved in writing.
2. SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCE. All lots shall be used for only single family residence, with only one such residence being permitted on any such lot.
3. GARAGE. Every residence shall have a minimum of a 2-car garage or a 2-car carport, which shall be considered as part of the residence.
4. MINIMUM SIZE. No residence shall be constructed which contains less than 800 square feet of livable ground floor space, exclusive of porches, lanais and garage.
5. HEIGHT No improvement shall be constructed that will exceed 18 ft. in height from the highest point of land within the perimeter of the structure.
6. TEMPORARY or SEPARATE IMPROVEMENTS. No trailer, mobile home, tent, shack, garage or other outbuilding shall be constructed prior to or during construction of a residence.
7. NUISANCE. No noxious or offensive activity shall be carried on upon any of said lots, nor shall anything be done thereon which may become an annoyance nuisance to the neighborhood.
8. MATERIALS. All materials used in the construction of any improvement on any portion of the lots shall be new materials only.
9. FOUNDATIONS. No conventional sub floor framing shall be exposed from any side of any residence. All sub floor framing shall be concealed in a manner acceptable to the Architectural Committee.
10. DRIVEWAYS. Driveways shall be a minimum of 12 feet wide at the street extending 10 feet deep and shall be paved (asphalt or concrete) during or prior to completion of a residence. (A residence is considered completed when it is lived in.)
11. ROOFS. Cedar shakes, cedar shingles, clay tiles, composite materials or metal, shall be among the approved roofing materials.
12. ANIMALS. Only dogs, cats or other household pets may be kept on any of said lots, provided that they are not kept, bred or maintained for any commercial purpose and are otherwise kept in accordance with the zoning ordinances, rules and regulations otherwise applicable.
13. SIGNS. No signs of any kind shall be displayed to the public view on any of said lots except one professional sign used by a builder or Realtor to advertise the property during the construction and/or sales period.
14. RUBBISH and TRASH. No lot shall be used or maintained as a dumping ground for discarded or old vehicles, rubbish, trash, garbage or other waste.
15. ALL CONVEYANCES SUBJECT HERETO. All deeds, mortgages, agreements of sale, leases, or other conveyances made or delivered by any legal or equitable owner of any lot or interest therein shall be subject to the same covenants, conditions and restrictions as in this Declaration set forth whether expressly contained in such conveyance or not.
16. BUILDING PERMIT. No work shall be commenced on the construction of any improvement until a building permit has been obtained from the Building Department of the County of Hawaii as required by law or ordinance.
17. COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION. Each owner shall be a member in good standing of the LEILANI COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION, a Hawaii nonprofit corporation, and shall pay all assessments levied and billed according to law. Unpaid assessments shall constitute a lien against subject property, which may be enforced by suit for money judgement or may be foreclosed by the Association in the same manner as a real estate mortgage may be foreclosed.
COVENANTS RUNNING WITH THE LAND. These covenants, conditions and restrictions shall run with the land, and are of record with the Bureau Conveyances of the State of Hawaii.