Building with Bamboo? (Waimea, Hana: transfer, prices, station)

[alaskangrown]

Has anyone build with bamboo as a structural member? Have you bought it on the islands? I'm thinking about building a bath house/laundry with it, and I know it's strong enough, but not sure about availability and prices on the islands.

Thoughts?

[Balad1]

Originally Posted by alaskangrown

Has anyone build with bamboo as a structural member? Have you bought it on the islands? I'm thinking about building a bath house/laundry with it, and I know it's strong enough, but not sure about availability and prices on the islands.

Thoughts?

There is also the issue of it meeting code...

[whynot?]

Ma Ka Hana Ka 'Ike (In Building One Learns) is a community group in Hana (East Maui) that has built with bamboo. Here's a story about a bamboo pavilion they built recently: Bamboo Pavilion | Ma Ka Hana Ka ʻIke

The organization combines student labor with skilled workers to construct useful facilities for the community, and I believe they used a shipped-in bamboo product for this project. But the HanaBuild.org site has other references to bamboo and its availability on-isle. They might have helpful information if you contact them.

Best of luck.

[hotzcatz]

The cover for the recycle area at the Waimea transfer station is built with bamboo. They have some interesting metal fasteners which attach the structural parts together. I'd guess they have a permit for it? You could drop past there and see it. They also have a tag on it with the builder's name, too, I think.