Container Homes (Hana: house, purchasing, construction)

[96753-aloha]

Aloha is anyone living in a home made from storage containers ?

We are coming to Maui in a couple of weeks & would love to talk

with you about this. Mahalo

[mdand3boys]

I have read a little on these on other forums. Consider what the sun (heat) does to steel. Enough info?

[hotzcatz]

Steel doesn't interact well with either sun or salt water. Some folks have tried it, although you would be able to build a similar sized wooden box via standard double wall light framing type construction easier and cheaper than revising a metal box. Still, if it is what you want, go ahead and try it.

[lauleahere&there]

Check out Punatalk. Someone there has experience with container homes. My family and I explored the option, but opted for standard construction instead.

[tortoise]

A Composite Building Systems dome might be an option, if Hawaii building code acceptable.

[hotzcatz]

The state of Hawaii uses the Uniform Building Code. I believe it is the 1991 version is for the entire state, but you'd best check on which version before purchasing materials to build a house if it would make a difference. The County of Hawaii uses the 1991 UBC as amended by the County of Hawaii and they have the amendments available online.

However, even if something is allowed by code, if they haven't seen it before it can make getting the permit to build it interesting.

[Dreaming of Hawaii]

Not only does Hawaii County use a building code that is nearly twenty years old, they have 143 pages of amendments. I don't know how anyone builds anything here!

Suggest you call the Maui County building department directly and talk with them.

[96753-aloha]

Mahalo for the info on the containers. We have heard that someone has build a 4 unit home & there was another single unit near Hana.
We believe that the 4 unit home is on the Big Island, but the single unit home on Maui - Maybe the small on near Hana was built without permits, being so far from the Main part of government, but how do you hide a 4 unit from inspectors ? Is building laws different on the BI as compared to Maui. . . ? Mahalo once again

[mdand3boys]

Originally Posted by 96753-aloha

Mahalo for the info on the containers. We have heard that someone has build a 4 unit home & there was another single unit near Hana.
We believe that the 4 unit home is on the Big Island, but the single unit home on Maui - Maybe the small on near Hana was built without permits, being so far from the Main part of government, but how do you hide a 4 unit from inspectors ? Is building laws different on the BI as compared to Maui. . . ? Mahalo once again

Please change the color of your posts back to BLACK so people can actually read them.

[96753-aloha]

sorry about the color