Looking to go off grid and tiny on the Hilo side! (big house, live)

[Open-D]

Originally Posted by whtviper1

I won't even stay in a hotel with a room that small (and they generally only have 1 bedroom) - hard to get my arms around something that small (or maybe I could if it is that small )

I agree. I had a 900sf 1BR condo in PDR, CA. It was roomy, but only accommodated 1 Bedroom, bathroom and the usuals. I can't stand tiny bedrooms.

It was largely sized because of the lay of the building and stairwells etc., there was a stack of really nice 1BR appts, and I bought one.

[hotzcatz]

We just picked up a small 740 sq ft 2/1 last summer. It lacks closets (one tiny one per bedroom, one tiny hall closet and no bath closet) and I'll be building a huge storage locker in the carport. Otherwise, it's okay in a three quarter kinda way. The front lanai had been 9-1/2" below the living room floor level so it was a definite "inside" and "outside" feel because of that drop. I'm rebuilding the front lanai to bring it up to the level of the living room floor and that does a lot to increase the feel of the house being larger.


Putting a small house on a larger lot helps, too.

[Arktikos]

My bedroom in "small" Hawaii house is actually largest bedroom I've ever had!
I've always had small bedrooms and don't get why that's a problem. Providing bed is large with a decent mattress and the room has adequate closet and dresser/shelf space then I'm good. It's for sleeping and getting dressed only.

[Arktikos]

Originally Posted by Open-D

6 acres is very nice. I think, however, that keeping it up would be too time and effort consuming. Maybe have an orchard or orchard/vinyard.

My next return trip is scheduled for early June. Will be looking at property on dry side and surrounds.

Yes, orchard at my place. It's not too much work keeping it up, I rather enjoy it. However, half of it or so hasn't been cleared. It's thick with ohia, vivee and ferns. Lots of pigs too, unfortunately. Keeping their population in check, now that's some work.

[whtviper1]

Originally Posted by Arktikos

I've always had small bedrooms and don't get why that's a problem. Providing bed is large with a decent mattress and the room has adequate closet and dresser/shelf space then I'm good. It's for sleeping and getting dressed only.

I like to relax after a long day so trying to watch a movie on a 77” TV in a small room would be problematic. My dressers, Cal King bed, furniture certainly wouldn’t fit in a small room.

With all that said, what I like most about a large bedroom - my master bedroom and bath run a tad under 1000 sq ft is the ability to have a large lanai to walk out onto or just have those large sliding glass doors to look outside during the day. After all you are in Hawaii and a tiny room diminishes your view.

[Open-D]

Originally Posted by Arktikos

Yes, orchard at my place. It's not too much work keeping it up, I rather enjoy it. However, half of it or so hasn't been cleared. It's thick with ohia, vivee and ferns. Lots of pigs too, unfortunately. Keeping their population in check, now that's some work.

Wild/feral pigs are a huge problem. In some places, they shoot them from small helicopters, with a pilot and 1 or 2 door gunners with AR-15s with scopes. They transport the small helos on a trailer, swing ot the rotor, fire up the piston engine and fly off, land for shooters to board and off they go to the peanut fields etc. They can kill hundreds in a day.

They can be dangerous critters, so be carefull.

What kind of trees do you have?

[Open-D]

Originally Posted by whtviper1

I like to relax after a long day so trying to watch a movie on a 77” TV in a small room would be problematic. My dressers, Cal King bed, furniture certainly wouldn’t fit in a small room.

With all that said, what I like most about a large bedroom - my master bedroom and bath run a tad under 1000 sq ft is the ability to have a large lanai to walk out onto or just have those large sliding glass doors to look outside during the day. After all you are in Hawaii and a tiny room diminishes your view.

I'm with you completely on this.

[Arktikos]

Originally Posted by Open-D

Wild/feral pigs are a huge problem. In some places, they shoot them from small helicopters, with a pilot and 1 or 2 door gunners with AR-15s with scopes. They transport the small helos on a trailer, swing ot the rotor, fire up the piston engine and fly off, land for shooters to board and off they go to the peanut fields etc. They can kill hundreds in a day.

They can be dangerous critters, so be carefull.

What kind of trees do you have?

I'm all in for complete eradication! Afraid the helicopter method just wouldn't work in the dense jungles of East Hawaii though.

Trees-some of what you would expect such as avocado and citrus, along with many other less well known tropicals such mangosteen, langsat, jackfruit, abiu, etc. Varieties that thrive in moist climates with acidic soils do great in this environment, not surprisingly. Visitors from Seattle said that my citrus was the best they've ever had, and couldn't believe how juicy they were. Guess they just soak up all the rain.

It's hilarious that mention of a 77" bedroom TV has made its way into a discussion of off grid/tiny homes.

[Open-D]

Originally Posted by Arktikos

I'm all in for complete eradication! Afraid the helicopter method just wouldn't work in the dense jungles of East Hawaii though.

Trees-some of what you would expect such as avocado and citrus, along with many other less well known tropicals such mangosteen, langsat, jackfruit, abiu, etc. Varieties that thrive in moist climates with acidic soils do great in this environment, not surprisingly. Visitors from Seattle said that my citrus was the best they've ever had, and couldn't believe how juicy they were. Guess they just soak up all the rain.

It's hilarious that mention of a 77" bedroom TV has made its way into a discussion of off grid/tiny homes.

Sounds like you have carved out a bit of paradise.

[hotzcatz]

Originally Posted by Open-D

Wild/feral pigs are a huge problem. In some places, they shoot them from small helicopters, with a pilot and 1 or 2 door gunners with AR-15s with scopes. They transport the small helos on a trailer, swing ot the rotor, fire up the piston engine and fly off, land for shooters to board and off they go to the peanut fields etc. They can kill hundreds in a day.

They can be dangerous critters, so be carefull.

What kind of trees do you have?

There's quite a few kids around here that hunt pig as a hobby. They have some tracker dogs and a knife, they're good to hunt. They smoke the meat and it's some pretty tasty stuff.

Otherwise, folks put out pig traps. Much easier but less sporting.