Captain Cook or Waikoloa to raise a family? (Hilo, Waimea: for sale, HOA)

[mommyofmanykids]

(Where I live, if you wanted to eat outdoors with a porch light on in a summer evening, you'd end up going back inside after the bugs joined you in your meal or began eating you as their meal l)

[mommyofmanykids]

I've heard about the cockroaches, termites and centipedes...how bad are the mosquitos?

[whtviper1]

Originally Posted by mommyofmanykids

Funny Whtviper1. What I said was, if you turn a light on, will a swarm of bugs be attracted to it?

No, not usually. Depends on where you live. Let's take mosquitoes - they breed with standing water nearby (not salt water)- so drier areas, especially with no sprinkler nearby, tend to not have any issues. Many areas have no issues with bugs whatsoever when the light is on. You are probably much more likely to have bug issues in the summer in Michigan than you will in Hawaii. Again, depends on where you live.

[whtviper1]

Originally Posted by mommyofmanykids

I've heard about the cockroaches, termites and centipedes...how bad are the mosquitos?

Mosquitoes - all depends on where you live. You can go an entire year without being bit - or have an issue, all depends on location.

Termites aren't much of an issue as long as the house is treated and you maintain it - it is part of the home inspection, you can't get a loan with a termite issue.

Cockroaches - again, partly depends on where you live - if you keep doors/windows open, cleanliness, etc....you may not see one all year - or you may see a lot.

Centipedes - same as the above - you may never see one - or you might.

We are in the tropics - we have bugs - but we aren't infested with them. On Oahu, I've probably been bitten by a mosquito maybe 3 times the last 5 years.

[OpenD]

Originally Posted by mommyofmanykids

What I said was, if you turn a light on, will a swarm of bugs be attracted to it?

Yup, absolutely. Sometimes it seems the Island of Hawai'i is made of bugs. Which is why you want a screened lanai. And dim lights. I use a string of LED holiday lights on mine, with a kerosene lantern in the middle of the table while we're eating.

In many areas the mosquitoes are quite fierce around dusk. And the nightime ones are the ones that can keep you awake all night if you let them in. But the daytime ones are the ones that carry Dengue Fever, so mosquito repellent is good to use when you're outside at any time of day. Kona side is better than Puna side, but it's all a matter of degree.

Night seems to fall faster on the windward side than on the leeward, because Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea shade the east side of the island from the direct rays of the setting sun. But once the sun sets, it gets dark quickly, and it gets darker than many mainland folks have ever experienced. On a clear moonless night, away from strong lights, the sky actually appears to be black, the stars are breathtakingly bright, and the Milky Way is clear and distinct. It's part of what I love, being able to see the Milky Way from my property.

By law, all outside lights on the Big Island must be subdued and point downward, for the protection of the multi-billion dollar astronomical observatories on top of Mauna Kea. Street lights are few and far between, and most are a very dim yellow in color, of a precise sodium hue the astronomers can filter out.

For these and other reasons, the whole island goes to bed early. By 9pm, most businesses are closed, most business districts are dark.

Just a couple more of those 1,001 differences Hawai'i has with the mainland.

[mommyofmanykids]

Very interesting stuff and good to know - these are things I'm not reading about in my books and research. Thanks guys!

Any thoughts on the Kona Paradise subdivision in Capt. Cook - good, bad or otherwise?

Looks as though the houses are on top of each other, built into a hill that leads down to Pebble Beach...most of them have expansive ocean views and are actually quite affordable...30 minutes from Kona...vog will be an issue...anything else I should be aware of?

[mommyofmanykids]

Ugh...just read somewhere that the undertow can be dangerous at Pebble Beach and that you need 4WD to even get down there

[CyberCity]

Yes there are bugs, many types of bugs. Depending on what area you live, which bugs are the most bothersome will be different. There is no "one-size-fits-all" answer about bugs.

The sun sets/rises at different times of day during the year, with summer having the longest days. Your location in relation to the mountains will matter.

I'd hope that lanai dining is not a deal-breaker for you, as that sort of worry is cutting things way too close for being able to make it here happily.

Have you decided on which school(s) you are willing to consider? That will narrow down your home hunt.

The realtor you deal with ... have you considered if you want just one for the entire island, or one is each area? The nuances you are dealing with will be easier to navigate with the help of a real estate professional.

[whtviper1]

If bugs are that bad on the Big Island try another island. I've yet to have any bug - bug me on Oahu. I enjoy outdoor dining on Maui. That is the island for you.

Note. Several times invited to dinner on the BI. Never a bug problem at work friends houses

[OpenD]

A light breeze is your best friend for keeping mosquitoes away, which is why they don't seem as common near the ocean. On the other hand, walking across a grass lawn after it's been rainy weather for a while can stir up clouds of them.

The fact is that although mosquitoes are most prevalent in the wetter areas, they are found all across the the Hawaiian islands:
http://hawaii.gov/health/environment...quitoflyer.pdf

A mosquito scare on Oahu a few months ago brought reminders about combating mosquitoes around the house:

Hongly Khuy is constantly swatting at mosquitoes around his Kalihi Valley home. They've multiplied after the recent rains."When it's wet, inside the house okay, but when you go around the house, around this area, whoa, it's just like tons you know," said Khuy.

Rare mosquito found at Honolulu airport prompts 'call to action' - Hawaii News Now - KGMB and KHNL