Back on the Island - First Look

Here is a picture taken on the new septic area...  the old tank had to be removed as it was only designed for a three-bedroom home - and according to the County we are building a five-bedroom home (who knew).  The rocks surround the new tank to protect it from construction traffic.  This picture is taken with the adjoining property at my back and stitching of four photos left (toward Red Road) to right (Pacific).

A view from the top of  the pool steps.  If you look really really hard you can see the ocean.

Just to give a better scale of the compost pile with me in the front - it actually seems bigger than this picture makes it look - and it is going to grow some more.

Looking back to housesite from the pali - Pacific behind me.  You can see some equipment up there.

Looking back to the guest room area from the path to the water (Orchid path)

Quick update with pics from the contractor....

The berm has been sized down... path to ocean on right

Monkeypod was on the left side - this is the digout for the septic

Looks like we have a soil deficiency... i.e. no soil....

Our path in the hala grove to the future...

COMPOST!

A nice view - too bad the house will be in the way!

Looks like we're spared!

Excavation

All of this clearing took less than 8 hours of work - and they anticipate spending 2.5 to 3 weeks for the total excavation!

Truck is parked in the future pool....

another milestone!

'nuff said

Blessings upon our home...

Dottie Keyser came to our property to do our blessing prior to any building.  Denis and Scott were present (Scott took the pictures).

It was raining pretty hard before the blessing and slowed down to a drizzle during the ceremony.

Dottie is from the Makuakane Ohana which had much of the property in this area.  She was a voice of reason during our public meeting at Kalani last year.  We are very happy that she was able to be part of the ceremony.

The heavy equipment arrives on Tuesday - excavation to begin on Wednesday.

Note the date - and time

Major earthquake on Samoa this morning - that's bad
Tsunami watch for all of Hawaii - expected to hit at 1:11pm - that's bad
Tsunami watch for all of Hawaii - Cancelled - that's good
Signing the contract today for the new house at 1:15 - that's very good.

While we sort out the contract details....

have a seat and relax....

Contract - cont....

Well, the lawyer didn't really embrace the contract that we provided so Ed made some mark-ups to the contract, incorporating the attorneys comments - and now we sit and wait to make sure our Contractor is on board with us.

Hopefully when we return from Palm Springs we'll know the answer.

Today the contract was faxed to the lawyer for review

Trusting the contractor we want to make sure that there is nothing major missing from this contract.

We have asked he get back to us with his thoughts in three work days so we can go ahead and get this party started!

200 miles of the Big Island

After a late start we made our way up Mauna Kea

This is Mauna Loa taken from Manua Kea

Laughed

called Ed and Michael

Struck some poses

We continued onto Waimea where Rob tried to blend in with the locals.

then onto Waipio - Honoka'a

(Malasadas, of course) - Scenic side trips - Akaka Falls Kolekole Beach Park - Onomea - Honoli'i.

Sadly - Big Island Candy was closed.

The trip was great and we developed a whole new clothing company and t-shirt slogans.


I dropped him off at the airport and I am laying low, for tonight.... Tomorrow I meet with the contractor on Red road!

Two days of fun

Rob L. flew to the Big Island after a few days working in Maui. We took in Puna - snorkeled - found out the power of waves in the tide pool at the property - hiked out to Kaimu Bay after Loco Mocos and then finished off the evening with a drink on the Ocean Lanai of the HYC and headed back to HHK for bbq and "talk story".

Timber!

Ironwoods started falling over today - the first tree fell perfectly not damaging anything - a surgical strike. The second tree was hit by a gust of wind so there was some collateral damage - but in the area that was due for clearing anyway. Ironwoods and Coco Palms can all be removed.  The State gave us a blanket "OK" for removal of all these "invasive" trees.

We got bids on moving the monkeypod. A range of $1,000 to $13,100. It pays to shop around - but we are going to remove the tree altogether. Without water to take care of it after a move it could be an expensive load of firewood when all is said and done.

Contractor has been chosen

What a relief!

Construction has begun

Not really - but according to the rules on Conservation Land as soon as shovel hits the dirt it is considered the begining of the project. These "bollards" are being placed on the fish road on the northern edge of the property to stop vehicular traffic. We have given this easement back to the State for pedestrian access only. Also - no camping - no campfires - no dogs - access allowed till 30 minutes past sunset. This will also be the access for the invisible Lauhala gatherers.... We have two years to final the rest of the project.

One way to clear the property

MIAMI — Hurricane Felicia is still a Category 4 storm far out in the Pacific, but it's expected to weaken.

The National Hurricane Center says Felicia's maximum sustained winds remain near 140 mph. The hurricane is expected to weaken over the next few days as it moves over colder water.

Felicia is centered about 1,510 miles west-southwest of the southern tip of Mexico's Baja California peninsula and about 1,545 miles east of Hilo, Hawaii. It is moving northwest near 10 mph.

Check with me next Wednesday...