Hawaii - Off the Grid (Hilo, Waimea: fit in, real estate, rental)

[caryberry]

Any recommendations to research rental property that is off the grid?

My husband and I are considering a move to HI. We are in our 50-60's, retired with/cats pursuing a small house/cabin. We are interested in eco-farming (we are vegans and yearn to grow our own food) along w/environmental preservation & conservation, yoga, and surfing. Not full-time candidates for "rain-forest" areas as we love sunshine. We are experienced in hurricane survival, island living, don't care if anyone comes to visit (including but not limited to children, family, and sofa surfers), and shopping on-line with delivery from UPS/Fedex.

Open to all possibilities any island - Thank you!

[Dreaming of Hawaii]

The Big Island is the most rural and has the cheapest cost of housing. I live on the BI and have only visited the other islands, so I can only advise about the BI. Have you ever visited any of the islands, or are you planning to come visit before actually deciding to move?

There are a lot of areas on the BI that are off the grid,but not all are going to offer enough rain to grow your own produce. I live near South Point and even in my neighborhood rainfall varies depending on elevation and which side of the "ridge" you are on. I am part of a very successful community garden (all organic) that generally gets good rain but we still have dry times when we need to water. Luckily we are tied into county water.

The Puna District on the BI would be your best bet. They get more rain, but some areas do feel like a "rain forest". I suggest that you look through the Big Island forum where there have been some discussions about what grows well and where.

[Robin Rossi]

Originally Posted by caryberry

Any recommendations to research rental property that is off the grid?

My husband and I are considering a move to HI. We are in our 50-60's, retired with/cats pursuing a small house/cabin. We are interested in eco-farming (we are vegans and yearn to grow our own food) along w/environmental preservation & conservation, yoga, and surfing. Not full-time candidates for "rain-forest" areas as we love sunshine. We are experienced in hurricane survival, island living, don't care if anyone comes to visit (including but not limited to children, family, and sofa surfers), and shopping on-line with delivery from UPS/Fedex.

Open to all possibilities any island - Thank you!

I always recommend Quartzite, AZ for such ventures. Easier to get back when bottom falls out.

[RugbyDave]

I'd second Puna or any area south of Hilo town just based on your post. Though may also recommend Waimea if you're stuck on weather (see below).

Just a word of caution with organic farming here in Hawai'i: rat lungworm. It's not a huge epidemic but definitely something to look into when organic gardening here. I have a nematode specialist friend who is currently researching the issue. Again, not a big problem but something to remember! So far distilled water and vigorous washing is the best.

There's lots of different climatic zones on the BI and depending on what you grow (tubers, fruit, lehua), you may want to check out the different areas south of Hilo town. It's vastly beautiful and stretches for miles. If you're really stuck, I love Waimea - can go from dry and sunny to cooler and wet, al within a short drive to both sides of the island. Great little community, too! Artsy and great education around.

[oregonwoodsmoke]

You will have a problem finding a place with enough rain to grow and enough sunshine for you to live where you can "love sunshine".

The islands have a line drawn through them where one side is very rainy and sunshine is covered by clouds, on the other side the rain doesn't get that far, and there is lots of sunshine, but not the water for farming.

Puna on the Big Island is where land is cheap enough to do some serious growing of food. In most areas of all the islands, land is so expensive that house come with tiny little postage stamp size lots, where you would be lucky to fit in one banana tree, an orange tree, and some tomatoes in planters.

Unless, of course, you have tons of money. If you have a bunch of money to buy, then you can get a couple of acres and a house on the Hamakua coast of the Big Island, and get some really prime agricultural land. It'll cost you a packet, though. (and it will rain a lot)

[caryberry]

Thanks to all who have responded. We don't have a ton of money and wouldn't spend it on real estate if we did. I am not sure that we want to actually OWN any property...anywhere.

Our passion with rain/gardening (I don't know if you can call growing enough food for two people actual farming) has been deeply influence by living in the desert where water/rain is almost non-existent. In another life on the east coast and in a tropical/island environment - growing one's own food is not a big deal. Bugs and critters are part of the plant cycle any where you go or grow.

We have traveled to HI and will travel as many times as necessary to do our due diligence. HI is a quick, fairly cheap, and easy trip from AZ. At our age, the meter stopped running a long time ago.

[caryberry]

Originally Posted by Robin Rossi

I always recommend Quartzite, AZ for such ventures. Easier to get back when bottom falls out.

Are you serious? What "bottom" are you referring to?

[Robin Rossi]

Originally Posted by caryberry

Are you serious? What "bottom" are you referring to?

The "bottom" of your venture. When you realize it was a huge mistake and want to go back, but are stuck in the most-remote islands on the planet.

I am being rhetorically serious, but not literally so.

I can't seem to take "off gridders" seriously in the least bit. Kinda like a kid who wants to pack up all his stuff in a bandana on the end of a stick and "leave home". Good for a few hours, or until dinner time, whichever comes first.

[RugbyDave]

I think what RR means is: often, people come to Hawai'i with hoku in their eyes (stars) and then plans fall apart, money goes away and they need to flee HI quickly. I think this is the 'bottom' RR is referring to. However, this may be the case with many people and it is safe advice to have a second plan (plan b) in case things go south. However with due diligence, a solid knowledge of the REALITIES of living how you want, I see nothing wrong with trying. Many of my patients on the BI came here with the same hoku in their eyes - years later here they are with a huge ohana, lots of keiki and they are able to support themselves. However just know there is a reality to this and some people never make it there.

Hope that makes a bit more sense!

It's also why I recommend Waimea area - you can be in super dry sunny weather in 5 minutes from the wet colder weather. Though oregonsmoke has a great point - very few places here straddle the line well, most are either one or the other.

[Robin Rossi]

Originally Posted by RugbyDave

I think what RR means is: often, people come to Hawai'i with hoku in their eyes (stars) and then plans fall apart, money goes away and they need to flee HI quickly. I think this is the 'bottom' RR is referring to. However, this may be the case with many people and it is safe advice to have a second plan (plan b) in case things go south. However with due diligence, a solid knowledge of the REALITIES of living how you want, I see nothing wrong with trying. Many of my patients on the BI came here with the same hoku in their eyes - years later here they are with a huge ohana, lots of keiki and they are able to support themselves. However just know there is a reality to this and some people never make it there.

Hope that makes a bit more sense!

It's also why I recommend Waimea area - you can be in super dry sunny weather in 5 minutes from the wet colder weather. Though oregonsmoke has a great point - very few places here straddle the line well, most are either one or the other.

You have captured the essence quite nicely - thank you.

I do have another angle as well - the welfare of the state.

I always try to dissuade people who, even if they stick, would be net-negatives, i.e. who would take more than they contribute. I see "off-gridders" as universally fitting this description.

You want to move to Hawaii, bring something with you - an income, help the tax base, help the merchant base and make the place better.