Pahoa Puna locations. (Hilo, Waimea, Mountain View: insurance, work, health)

[Torghaole]

Aloha (;>+
Winter in the NW always brings on yearnings for Hawai'i. My daughter recently returned from the Puna coast where her 'boss' has an off-grid place right on the bluff above the surf nearby Pahoa. She stated that she wants to retire there when she sells off her growing media consultancy start-up. I have always made contingency plans for the long term, therefore her desire and my quest converge on Pahoa. Of course, the best or only true way to discover a place is to come there. However, knowing where to start is a good idea, too. I'd like to be at an elevation where it gets down to around 50 or so during "winter" at night so I can have a cozy little fire for story-telling or a luau. A reasonable distance to Pahoa for shopping, and a green, off-grid house set up with a water filtration and robust solar heating system would be the target. Let's chat.

[cynmkolohe]

Hi Torghaole,

Can you find out the name of the subdivision or the address where your daughter stayed? Even what road the property was on?

If you really want to be in the lower temps at night you might want to look at higher elevations...but there is a lot of variety in Puna. There will certainly be something that will appeal! There are some great off-grid properties with unique features.

(One of the things I can do for you if you have specific search parameters in mind is set you up to receive notifications of new listings and price reductions through our MLS system, based on your criteria. The nice thing about receiving these matches is that you can track what the market has to offer in the area that interests you and also keep an eye on market trends. Feel free to DM me with your email address if you are interested in that...)

[Paniolo Cowgirl]

Originally Posted by Torghaole

I'd like to be at an elevation where it gets down to around 50 or so during "winter" at night so I can have a cozy little fire for story-telling or a luau. A reasonable distance to Pahoa for shopping, and a green, off-grid house set up with a water filtration and robust solar heating system would be the target. Let's chat.

You would be hard pressed to find a place where it gets down to 50 at night near Pahoa.

It might get that cold in Waimea (Kamuela). Or maybe Kaumana City, above Hilo.

The Wood Valley area in Kau would be your best bet for cooler temps on the SE part of the island.

[kani-lehua]

cynmkolohe and paniolocowgirl know what they're talking about. what about the subdivisions from/between mountain view to volcano? too far from pahoa? too much rain? thought about kaumana, but the land was out of our price range at the time. seems like prices are dropping a little?

[leilaniguy]

My house is above town at about 1000' and that's about as high up as you can get around Pahoa. The last week or two it's been cold enough for a fire, but this is the coldest weather I've ever seen here. Normally it's too warm here to need or want heat.

[Torghaole]

Thanks to Cyn, Paniolo, kani-lehua, and leilaniguy. As it is generic, I'll post the most of the DM I sent to Cyn. { Thanks, Cyn! (;>= + }
(I tried to make up an emoticon that looks like me: snowbearded-baldy, wink 'n' smile, beard, & karma-mystic christian*. (*I am partial to a smoke and a glass of wine, so fear not. I write just metaphysical poetry).
Our daughter Marisa stayed out on Red Road at Bob Hall's place. He was the founder of Woolrich, the clothing company. He and a local tycoon, Syre, fund "The Cascadia Weekly" of Bellingham, amongst multiple other business enterprises. Apparently, Bob's place on the bluff is nearby Pahoa.
I would like to keep prices under 250K. I would like a minimum of 2 bd/1.5 ba, but one with a guest cottage/space, (mother-in-law/kids), in addition would be great.
Bear in mind that my continued searching aligns with my penchant to make long-term contingency plans, so that I have one ready as life events and conditions change.
My wife and I live nearby our kids and her parents, as many have done since 9-11, and especially since I was in the Army and we moved around: Germany for 6+ years and Oklahoma. She doesn't want to move just yet. Life is change, however. I've attached several photos to put faces to people/places. We live within sight of Mt. Baker, (a dormant volcano). Our pic at Artists' Point is at the Mt. Shuksan arm of Komo Kulshan (Papa Baker).
I am also an Indie film actor of minor note. My first feature length movie "Mall Robbers" oughta be out on Ebay later this spring. I play SGT Hogan.
I have Type II diabetes, so I would like to be able to get fresh, local, organic foods, especially fish or local, lean meats and high-fiber bread. So, we don't need a Safeway; a Trader Joe's store would be ideal.
I would like to be within a reasonable driving distance of a U.S./VA health clinic and/or commissary, if possible, or one that would take federal retiree insurance. We have Group Health here.
Mountain View looks very nice, but I've had enough rain to last a lifetime here in the Pacific NW, and crave warmth, but not stifling heat or humidity. Perhaps Pahoa is best?
I am a disabled veteran with chronic lumbar pain and osteoarthritis, stiff muscles, and limited flexibility. I'm a bit portly, also, and my wife is no ballerina, either.
Stairs kill my knees, and I'm having a lot of pain when I have to split firewood and stack it, so some cheap local help on that would be good, or a place with no absolute necessity for it: ergo, Mountain View maybe too high.
I would love to be up there around 1000' +/-, by a stream or spring, however. I would also be happy with county water, electricity, and internet access, (satelite or cable). A minor fixer would be OK, as long as it's cosmetic repair. I don't want to deal with termite-chewed foundations, et cetera, or nasty mold or other noxious conditions.
Too picky/specific? Heck, those are just my flexible parameters. Just looking for some hope/help. I remember leilani guy from my last winter-time search, here. You are all very friendly and convivial. It would be cool to get together at a cafe' and make music, write/read poetry, & tell jokes by a wee, blazing, luau pit.

[kani-lehua]

i'm pretty sure that cynmkolohe can work within those parameters! she knows what she's talking about and has given a lot of great advice for homes, land and life in general on the big island.

[Torghaole]

Mahalo, again. I replied to Cyn, above, kani-lehua. Upon further preliminary investigation, I have concluded that any structure I would buy would have to be newly built according to the material specifications found in the article at: The Times-Picayune - Termite Home Wreckers; NOLA Live
With such a relatively termite-impenetrable structure, I would welcome any geckoes to lunch upon any uninvited guesties like the cucharacha.
Furthermore, if such a structure was constructed from a complete kit which any handy person could build once the foundations are set, it would be of great benefit.
As much as I love cedar and redwood, I would still minimize such veneers to cabinets made of a synthetic material as may be available. The exterior surface would have to be also undigestible to the gnawers, such as a richly-colored palate of formed cement siding/roofing. Ideally, to me, such a kit would be a panel-connect system somewhat like a geodesic, or bucky-ball, architecture. Integrated solar panels, a water filtration system, and a composting toilet, (along with gray water capture/cleansing for outside irrigation or exclusion from a septic tank), would be better for the soil/water table.
Such relatively affordable, green, and utility-independent structures would free up available finances for your daily living expenses.
Finally, such a configuration should centralize the home's water/power/discharge system as much as possible. A hexagonal or octagonal structure may well suit to this, as well as separation of sleeping, living, and kitchen/dining areas. Double-paned skylights which allow a screened airflow coupled with low-voltage/rpm ceiling fans would reduce or eliminate any need for A/C. For ambiance in higher altitudes/chillier days, I would include a smack-dab center flued ceramic, Russian style fireplace or circular, hooded brass/copper plated steel fireplace with spark-curtain and sturdy masonry base.
How do you all feel about such a suggestion? The imaginative entrepeneur surely could assemble enough sub-contractors to do this with minimal technological change-overs.

[kani-lehua]

sorry, i missed the second sentence in which you stated that you had/would dm cyn.

[cynmkolohe]

Here is a link that might interest some: Eco-Dome.htm

There is a home like this listed in the MLS...it is supposed to be completed late in the spring.

Just a quick market overview: there are currently about 250 homes on the market in Puna that are listed for under 250K. Most of these will be standard construction, but there are the exceptions. It just takes some time to find a property that is either exactly what you are dreaming of....or one that you can make into your dream!