Thought of an idea-need opinions (Hilo, Kihei: condo, homes, subdivision)

[GirlinAZ]

Originally Posted by Jungjohann

Hawaii doesn't like things brought here from the mainland, I never realized that. I wonder where all this stuff comes from?

Aloha

Uh, not very Aloha. I meant they don't like them in the CC&R's. Thought the context of the discussion would have made that clear. I will remember to watch every word next time.

[Jungjohann]

I think if you reread your post, "the fact that Hawaii doesn't like things being brought there from the mainland", you can see how one could consider it as you saying that Hawaii doesn't like things being brought here from the mainland. How else is one to interpret it? Anyways,, if you took it as an offense I apologize. If there's one thing I don't lack it's Aloha, why would I give you sound advice on your housing situation if that were not the case?
I won't waste your time again.
Okolemaluna

[GirlinAZ]

Originally Posted by Jungjohann

I think if you reread your post, "the fact that Hawaii doesn't like things being brought there from the mainland", you can see how one could consider it as you saying that Hawaii doesn't like things being brought here from the mainland. How else is one to interpret it? Anyways,, if you took it as an offense I apologize. If there's one thing I don't lack it's Aloha, why would I give you sound advice on your housing situation if that were not the case?
I won't waste your time again.
Okolemaluna

Listen, your comment was pretty snarky. However, the LAST thing I want to do on a Hawaii forum is have beef with someone. I come here to get away from that as people here are so rude. So, aloha and no beef here.

[Jungjohann]

I have no idea what snarky means, and you can have beef with me anytime you like, thinly sliced and marinated in Teriyaki sauce with a touch of whiskey thrown in, lightly grilled so it's still pink on the inside. Onolicious, broke da mouth. Google for kit homes, you'll save a ton of money. I've always preferred something around 1200 sf, detatched garage with studio apartment for those unexpected visitors, with a large enough roof overhang on the house, so you can enjoy your lanai regardless of the weather, and the sunsets. Even a built in BBQ!!

Okolemaluna

[HankDfrmSD]

Originally Posted by Jungjohann

I wouldn't even consider buying a home on the mainland,

Another thing to consider (and this is a serious problem for any wood product from the mainland used in the islands) is that most wood used for mainland construction is not "treated" for termites. If you use that in Hawaii, it will do just fine for about a year or two, and then dissolve in a pile of termite dust.

Hank

[floridadreamer]

Originally Posted by Jungjohann

I have no idea what snarky means, and you can have beef with me anytime you like, thinly sliced and marinated in Teriyaki sauce with a touch of whiskey thrown in, lightly grilled so it's still pink on the inside. Onolicious, broke da mouth. Google for kit homes, you'll save a ton of money. I've always preferred something around 1200 sf, detatched garage with studio apartment for those unexpected visitors, with a large enough roof overhang on the house, so you can enjoy your lanai regardless of the weather, and the sunsets. Even a built in BBQ!!

Okolemaluna

Sounds ideal to me! Where does one buy reasonably priced land?

[Jungjohann]

I bought a one acre lot in Hawaiian Ocean View Estates in 1990, paid $12,000.00 for it. Elevation around 3000 foot, nice ocean views, plenty of Ohia trees. Haven't done a thing with it, just pay the yearly fee for road maintenance. With Maui slowly drifting into oblivian, especially Kihei where the building of new condos and homes has completely outpaced the infrastructure, Big Island sounds better and better. I even have plans drawn up for the house, pretty much what I described, just a bit larger. Outside of Hilo is very nice if you like the rain. Kolohe would know far better than I. The only problem with the Big Island is that it's so damn big!!!

Aloha and okolemaluna

[Jungjohann]

Hanks got a good point about termites, they absolutely thrive over here. First house I lived in was in Kula, and was a transplanted Paniolo shack from Ulupalakua that had been moved and added onto. Place was about 70 years old, built out of real 2x4s, and was absolutely infested with the little buggers. Amazingly enough, it's still standing! They now use borasilicate for wood treatment, only problem being that it's just a soap that pemeates the lumber, and, if the lumber gets extremely wet during storage or construction, the soap washes out, and the termites move in. We did a project over here with the same lumber, some of the lumber already had obvious termite damage. We were pretty much told to ignore the problem by the GC and the developer.

Aloha and okolemaluna

[cynmkolohe]

Keep in mind that, even if you go with a kit home, if you have custom cabinets made you will probably want to get those treated before they are installed...we've heard some stories...

Sometimes delays mean that cabinets sit unprotected and then are installed in new construction homes, bringing the termites right into the new space.

[Jungjohann]

A kit home would more than likely include the cabinets, doors, trim material, etc. But you're definitely right, termites aren't to picky when it comes to kau kau. We did the Makenna Surf project, way back when, the cabinets were marine grade mahogany, laminated with Koa and raised panel Koa doors and drawer fronts. Beautiful stuff, only problem being that the cabinet shop in Cambell Industrial on Oahu was infested with termites, as were a great percentage of the cabinets. I think rule of thumb over here is pretty much have your place tented and termite treated every ten years or so. Only down side is that any of your gecko buddies inside the tent will maki along with the termites. Now if we could just train geckos to go after termites!! If you're building a new home off slab, the ground should be treated and any water lines or sewer lines coming through the slab should have termite shields, and all drilled wooden members should be retreated with anti termite protection prior to drywall, as should the ends of any lumber that has been cut.

Aloha and okolemaluna