Looking for information on Kopua Farm Lots (Hilo, Fern Forest: buying, utilities)

[Hawaii Bound]

Hello everyone! I am looking for some information on Kopua Farm Lots. The plots are 20 acres and seem to be pretty reasonable.

Can anyone give me information on this area. Is it a good area to build on? I found the elevation is about 1000' and that it is lava zone 3 but that is about the only information I have at this point.

Are you able to grow the trouble plants (Palms, pineapple, guava, etc) at this elevation?

ANY information that anyone is able to provide is GREATLY appreciated!!

Mahalo!!

P.S. My wife and I were married on Kauai 5 years ago and we come back every year for 2 - 3 weeks. We new immediatly that one day we were going to live in Hawaii so...no better time than the present to get started!!

[leilaniguy]

Kopua is the last of the large Puna subs. to be developed, about the year 2000. When it was first offered, 20 acre lots were $25K (a real bargain, missed it, kick me hard!) it is between Eden Roc and Fern Forest, making it one of the higher, wetter subs. the roads are cinder & dirt , miles long; you will need 4WD. There are no utilities as far as I know. All the plants you mentioned would grow like mad, though why you would want a nasty, awful weed like guava is beyond me..

[Hawaii Bound]

Originally Posted by leilaniguy

though why you would want a nasty, awful weed like guava is beyond me..

When we were in Kauai we had guava and it grew on a tree. Actually a very good tasting fruit.

[Jonah K]

Originally Posted by Hawaii Bound

When we were in Kauai we had guava and it grew on a tree. Actually a very good tasting fruit.

Guava (especially "strawberry guava" aka "pineapple guava" or "purple guava") is an "invasive species" in Hawai'i. Before you plant anything here, please learn about the native flora and fauna. At one time or another, someone thought that strawberry guava, Miconia, Albizia trees, garlic mustard, porcelainberry, Japanese barberry, Russian olive, and a host of other seemingly innocuous fauna would be nice to have around. Unfortunately, they became a little bit too prolific here and are considered "weeds" to be eradicated.
http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/fact/psca1.htm

You should see what we do to Puerto Rico's beloved coqui frog in Hawai'i.

[Sorcerer68]

I was thinking of buying one of those Kopua plots until I drove out to look at it....a L O N G drive out washboard and rutted roads. I actually made it out there in my BMW but...

If you are the type who seldom goes to town and wants an off-grid exitsance, you might like it. They all looked to be flat. The ones on the makai side seemed to be weeds and young Ohia, the ones on the Mauka side were weeds with slightly older Ohia. I silently wondered if I could get building materials delivered.

[Brent-Norris]

aloha, it looks like you've got your questions answered. I'll take on any more over at kopua.com.

Yes, there's plenty of guava and it is taking over the native forest. By the time you decide on moving to kopua it will be one giant guava bush invested with coquis. Pineapples will grow slowly. Any plants that don't need sunlight will grow well in kopua (2-300 inches of rain a year). I hope this is helpful.

[cynmkolohe]

Photos and a bit of history at Kopua Farmlots Homepage

[William Kester]

I believe that part of the reason those lots are so reasonable is tha they are totally off the grid-in other words no utilities are available. But off course solar energy would work well and you would certainly get enough rain up there that a big water catchment tank would take care of your water needs.
Bill

[Hawaii Bound]

Thank you to everyone who has responded. I am currently speaking with builders to get an estimate of the cost to build and hopefully start building within the next year. Does anyone have any local architects to recommend?

[LankyJones]

I would just like to add my take on the beauty of Kopua Farm Lots -

Subtle it may be but intoxicating. The land looks deceptively flat but chosen wisely the views are spectacular. From the clearing on our land we can see from the southern tip of Mauna Loa, up through the Saddle and along Mauna Kea, up the Hamakua coast and the ocean near Hilo Bay.

On clear days the mountains glow pink and red during sunrise. Mauka showers Konaside often blur the sunset but on days when the light shines through the Saddle it’s spectacular.

Plants grow quickly and lush, and the land is alive with birds.

There are ample resources for solar power, cell phone and wireless internet reception is good, and with good water storage one should be set!