Questions about building a small cabin in Fern Acres Hawaii (houses, organic)

[cynmkolohe]

These folks in downtown Hilo feel the same way... photo

[garden1der]

Thinking about recycled building materials, I've read about a place called ReStore in Kona. It's a fundraising effort by the Habitat for Humanity organization. Its sounds like a thrift shop for builders. Anyone been there?

[alaskangrown]

I have. They have great deals on windows, doors, fixtures and countertops, cabinets (some were pretty shabby, some were spanking new). We have similar shops here, but most people just peruse the dump for goodies like that

[OpenD]

Yeah, the county authorities (the Big Island is all one county) are a lot more concerned about sanitation than you might have been used to in the wilds of Alaska. Existing cesspools and bogholes are causing big problems with groundwater contamination and runoff to the beaches.

Commercially made composting toilets are acceptable in lieu of a full septic system, and you can buy used and reconditioned ones for about half price in Hilo. But you'll still need some kind of septic field to handle greywater discharge, and it needs a permit. For short term you can use a chemical toilet, but you'll get tired of making runs to the county recycling center to dump it in no time.

To combat the practice of building without a permit, you can't get a power drop from the Electric company until you have an approved building plan. And it's hard to get a building plan approved without a stamp from an architect who is licensed in Hawai'i. Allow several months for the process, even now that construction is slow. They just don't move all that fast. In good times it can take 6 months.

Also, you need to consider your water usage carefully. For small quantities of safe drinking water you can haul it yourself from county spigots, but for more than that you'll need to plan for either rainwater catchment and filtration or tank truck delivery. Fortunately the U of H agriculture school has excellent resource materials online about rainwater systems.

Also, yes to shipping in your own pickup truck. It costs about $1,000 from California, more from northern ports, and it takes 2-3 weeks, but it will be worth at least a couple grand more as soon as it's unloaded in Hilo. I know people who fly to the mainland to visit relatives, buy a used car or truck to drive while they're there, then ship it back and sell it, making enough profit to pay for the trip. The best sellers are vehicles with really good gas mileage, because gas is so expensive on the islands.

Good luck

[OpenD]

Coupla more thoughts... you will need pressure treated wood anywhere within 12 inches of the ground, because termites are a big problem.

Also, the same universal building code applies in Hawai'i as it does in other states, except that that the Big Island still uses the 1987 version. Ha! My architect had to go scratching for the old version when he started turning my sketches into plans, because he had thrown his copy out years ago when he moved back to the mainland.

And last but not least, you can do your own carpentry on a permittable house, but wiring and plumbing are required to be done by state licensed contractors, and pass inspections. And check me on this, but I think about 300 sq ft of unencumbered floor space (ie, not including cabinets, etc.) is minimum requirement for a permittable 2 person domicile.

The good thing is, all this information is available online, one place or another. You just have to be willing to take the time to do the research. Google is your friend.

[AlohaAlaska]

Mahalo for all of the great info.

Currently the plan is to come over and find a rental closer to Hilo town, and make some land improvements rather than attempting to jump through all the hoops of the building process. Hopefully within the next couple years finances and free time will align better and a building can go up on the property.

Best of luck to Alaskagrown on your project and maybe we will run into eachother on the island.

We are heading over in a month and couldn't be more excited to meet great people, relax and explore all of the great opportunities Hawaii has to offer.

[jlusian]

Hello AlohaAlaska & others.

I hope you guys are still reading this thread(?)

What a coincidence! I, too, am getting ready to head over to build my cabin (which sounds very similar to yours). My land is in Tiki Gardens/Paradise Court/Hawaiian Acres area - which I believe to be not far from you.

I have some pre-drawn plans I bought. Allows for concrete foundation, but I also want pier foundation. Guess that part of my plans has to be redrawn?

I am also looking for a small truck, and also a job to keep me going while building (coming over with only so many funds)...as well as room-to-rent or studio. I don't know if you have anything lined up along these regards w/friends, family, apartment or what...but since we are both doing the same thing, same place, same time...maybe we can form some kind of alliance to help each other out (things like sharing a truck? assisting the other in construction? sharing an apartment?...things like that.)

If not...maybe someone else out there already onthe island has some advice for me in any of these areas?

Hope to hear fro you soon...if still checking here.

Thanks!

[jlusian]

...BTW - my uncle is a seasoned contractor living in Anchorage. He's been excited also to come build when he heard about my project. (Thought funny since a lot of you guys are in/from AK.)

[OpenD]

On the composting toilet topic, check out Nature's Head. It's smaller and cheaper than anything else I've seen... about $850 and $125 shipping from Ohio.

[KapohoCat]

Check out composting toilets. They are permittable waste water systems.