Category: Living in Kamuela (Waimea) Hawaii

The Pros and Cons of Living on the Big Island

Posted on by JUDY HOWARD

There are pros and cons to living on the Big Island. I read an article in the New York Times this morning that prompted me to write a client who is considering moving here. The article concerned water shortages: http://A Quarter of Humanity Faces Looming Water Crises https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/08/06/climate/world-water-stress.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share

Long, long ago, I practiced water law in Colorado. I remembered being appalled when I understood how reliant they were on non-tributary aquifers, which they planned to consume at the rate of 1% of the available water per year. There was never a plan for what they would do when the water ran out.

I then thought about the Big Island’s fresh water aquifers, which are replenished by plentiful rainfall, which, in turn, is filtered before it enters the aquifer by the lava it must seep through. In parts of the Island, the aquifers remain full, but many people move to Hawaii to enjoy the warm, dry weather. In those parts of the Island, the water supply is more precarious. There are limits of how much water can be transferred from the wet areas to the dry areas, so there are limits to how much the dry areas can be developed.

We also have some of the world’s most beautiful coastlines and beaches, wonderful weather, a huge variety of micro-climates, thriving local food producers-from meat to honey to goat cheese to wonderful strawberries and vegetables, etc.

But the best thing about the Big Island is the people! We are diverse, and we live on an island. We cannot share this island if we are not respectful of one another. People here smile at each other, help each other, and know how to get along with people they may not agree with. This is definitely not a place for racists, and especially not white nationalists!

I wish our State and County political leaders were far better at anticipating needs, protecting assets, and making sure that every resident is given a fair opportunity at a good life, but that may come with time. In the meantime, the wonderful, self-reliant people of the Big Island make life work despite their clumsy political representatives.

Many people just don’t belong here. For them, some of the CONS are that they feel isolated, their family and friends don’t visit often enough, they can’t get in their car and go on a road trip, travel to and from Hawaii is expensive and inconvenient, goods and services are quite limited, and everything here costs much more than it does on the mainland, if you can get it at all.

All of those objections are absolutely valid, and the Big Island will never be a good fit for folks who would prefer to live in a community with people who think, look, and act like they do, or who love to jump in the car to shop, go to a movie or on a road trip.

Getting anything (like an appliance, or even a car) fixed here is a major undertaking. Replacing broken appliances with anything but the most generic brands and models is time consuming and expensive. Even buying the right ingredients to make your favorite dishes can be almost impossible. Medical care is iffy. The basics are pretty well covered, but anything more than that will probably require a trip off-Island. The public schools try hard, but they are under-funded, under-staffed, and hampered by the same silly federal requirements as the public schools on the mainland. The private schools are expensive, isolating, and don’t have particularly high academic standards.

This probably isn’t the best place for people who want the very best education for their children, or who have complicated medical problems. Likewise, anyone who loves urban life would be miserable here. But if you’re reasonably healthy, are willing to extend the same respect to others that you would like to receive, and love being outdoors, active, and eating great, fresh food in a clean and beautiful environment, the Big Island may be for you! I’d be happy to share more information about the pros and cons of living on the Big Island-just get in touch!

Hawaii is paradise because of its people and the Hawaiian culture!

Posted on by admin
Waipio Valley-photo by Sarah Anderson

The Hawaiian people and their culture make Hawaii a unique paradise. The peaceful gathering at the base of Mauna Kea has received some media coverage lately. https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2019/07/13/young-hawaiians-learn-about-protection-mauna-kea-ahead-conflict/ This gathering, more than almost any other event I can recall in my 64 years, has demonstrated the strength and beauty of the Hawaiian people and culture.

In the past, aspects of the culture have been commercialized and trivialized. We have no one to blame for this but ourselves, because of the leaders we chose to elect. It is not the fault of tourists travelling here as a result of the marketing they have seen, but it is well past time to set the record straight.

This is not a huge amusement park. This is a place of extraordinary natural bounty and beauty, and the land, the people and the culture here deserve to be treated with the utmost respect.

Thriving on these islands is not easy, despite their felicitous placement in the generally benign central pacific ocean. The fact that the Hawaiians managed to thrive until their numbers were decimated by disease brought by explorers, shows just how adaptive they must have been. The fact that they are now stronger and more unified than they have been since their language was banned in the late 1800ʻs, shows their wonderful resilience.

Whether coming to visit or hoping to establish a new home in Hawaii, people who come with open minds and a willingness to respect those already here will truly find a paradise!

Bringing your pets

Posted on by JUDY HOWARD
Kate, my kelpie

Bringing your pets with you, whether to live here permanently or on an extended visit, is not simple, but it can be done. I waited about 11 months, spent more money than I ever want to total, and went through quite a bit of work to bring in Kate, who was born in Oklahoma.

I don’t regret a moment of the hassle it required, or the money, but if I hadn’t been set on getting another kelpie, it would have been a foolish thing to do.

Puppies are more challenging to import than adult dogs with a history of rabies vaccinations.

Bringing in an adult pet, up to date on rabies vaccinations, is not too bad. But a puppy has to be 4 months old before it can receive its first shot, and then the shots must be spaced at least a month apart, and the blood for the titer should not be drawn until so many days after the last shot, and on and on it went. (Kate was about 5 weeks old when I bought her.).

I have clients who are flying in with their dog and cat from California in a week. I haven’t discussed the process with them yet, but I gather it has been one of the least challenging aspects of their move, because their pets are adults, and have received rabies shots annually. With a record of rabies shots, few vet visits would be required-perhaps only one to draw blood for the rabies titer, and a second for a certificate of health right before the flight. They also have a shorter trip, which should help. They, like Kate, will fly directly to Kona, where a vet will meet their pets and complete the paperwork necessary for their release to my clients.

Many owners in the Mauna Lani and Mauna Kea Resorts bring their small dogs with them when they come to stay.

Quite a few people who own second homes at the Mauna Lani and Mauna Kea resorts bring their small dogs with them every time they come. Not all condominium projects allow pets, but many do, especially single, small-ish dogs. Once you’ve got the system established, it can be pretty easy to bring along your small dog.

Do it yourself, or hire help?

Because I was relying on Kate’s very kind breeder to do the leg work in Oklahoma, I hired a local pet importation coordinator to make sure all the paperwork was completed properly and on time. I don’t think I would do that again, unless I was very, very busy.

There is no doubt in my mind that going through the process of getting your pets certified as rabies-free is far better than consigning them to quarantine once they arrive here, but it does require checking off a number of boxes. Here is a link to the Hawaii Department of Health, Quarantine Branch, setting out the requirements: http://www.hawaiiag.org/hdoa/ai_aqs_info.htm. It sounds like it has become easier for animal owners to comply with the requirements since I brought in Kate, which is a good thing! http://hdoa.hawaii.gov/ai/aqs/aqs-info/

If you want to wait until you arrive to adopt a pet, there will be many lovely animals in need of a new home.

If you don’t have a pet yet, and are considering a move to Hawaii, there are lots of dogs and cats in need of good homes here. There are humane society shelters in several locations on the Big Island, and I have adopted some wonderful pets (including a very silly lamb) from the Waimea Shelter. The breeding of the dogs may sometimes be a bit questionable, but hybrid vigor is on display, and it’s fun to try to guess the breeds of one of our local dog’s ancestors. If you get really curious, you can submit a swab for DNA analysis.

I brought in Kate specifically to work sheep, but I have two dogs that I took in just because they needed new homes that actually do a much better job with the sheep than Kate is ever likely to. Breed matters, but frequently mutts can be a delightful surprise!

Photo voltaic In Hawaii

Posted on by JUDY HOWARD
Photo Voltaic in Hawaii-no utility lines here!

Photo Voltaic in Hawaii? You have options!

Interested in photo voltaic in Hawaii? Hawaii is well situated for those wishing to turn the sun’s energy into electricity. Even if you chose to live in an area which is frequently cloudy-like my home-you can live a fairly normal life without being tied into the electrical grid. Or, if you live in a spot that is served by HELCO, the electric company, you may be able to tie into the grid. Here’s where to find more information about tying into the grid: https://www.hawaiielectriclight.com/products-and-services/customer-renewable-programs

Living off grid

I have been living off grid for over twenty years. The technology has improved a great deal in that time. I have a basic system, and an excellent photo voltaic technician, and the experience is almost invisible on most days. I don’t use as much power as some other households might consume, and every once in a while I am completely stumped when my system stops working, but I am happy living off grid

There are much fancier systems, in much fancier homes! Some seem as though they would require an electrical engineering degree (or an on-site technician) to keep working properly. I think that in any off-grid home, the occupant must have an interest in at least the general theory of how the various components operate.

Grid tie ins

HELCO has gone through several iterations of its grid-tie in program, with each becoming less generous than the previous one. I recently sold a small house in Luala’i, Waimea, that had 20 photo voltaic panels and a monthly utility bill of $22. That home had the benefit of an older contract with HELCO, and the occupants could use almost any conceivable amount of electricity and still not owe more than the base amount.

At times, HELCO suspends new contracts altogether. This seems silly, since Hawaii has set of goal of 100% clean energy by 2045 http://www.hawaiicleanenergyinitiative.org/

There is a plausible explanation, however. There was such a rush to photo voltaics that the remaining customers were left shouldering too great a share of the overhead costs. I don’t think the utility chose the best solution-discourage photo voltaic-but that is the path they have chosen.

Ready? Not so fast!

Many people dream of building a home in the middle of some gorgeous pasture, with views to the ocean and space to roam. Photo voltaic systems play a part in many of those dreams. Some think they might rent out cottages on the land to generate some additional income. Hawaii has recently clamped down on vacation rentals, see http://livinginwaimea.com/2019/03/30/hawaii-county-restricts-vacation-rentals/

There are also other restrictions on land use in agriculturally zoned areas, see http://livinginwaimea.com/2018/10/12/hawaii-county-agricultural-land-use-restrictions/

Photo voltaic in Hawaii, yes! Maybe with a few more draw backs than you would like, but it is definitely feasible in Hawaii. Generating income from vacation rentals on agricultural land, nope. Building multiple dwellings on agricultural land, almost certainly not. Getting the benefit of the very low assessed value on agricultural lands without actively engaging in an agricultural, probably not for long! The County audits use, and will change your property tax classification if it does not find agricultural use. See http://livinginwaimea.com/2019/03/29/kohala-ranch-property-taxes/

Moving to Hawaii. Will I be disappointed?

Posted on by JUDY HOWARD
Waipio Valley camp fire. Photo by Sarah Anderson

What if I don’t love living in Hawaii?

“What if I don’t like it?” This is a very valid concern. Moving to Hawaii is expensive! Not everyone is happy here, and you should do everything you can to make sure this is the right place for you.

Come multiple times, and stay in as many places on the Island as possible.

This is not as easy as it used to be, because of the new restrictions on vacation rentals. See http://livinginwaimea.com/2019/03/30/hawaii-county-restricts-vacation-rentals/ But if you can’t stay in as many parts of the Island anymore, at least make sure you spend as much time visiting each area as possible. Moving to Hawaii is a big deal, and it’s worth investing time and money to make sure it’s right for you.

Many people say, though, that while the place matters, it is the people they fall in love with.

I hear this again and again: the people here are so friendly and helpful. I am a bit surprised, because I think there are more unfriendly people here than there were 50 years ago, but I guess it’s all relative. Compared to many places on the mainland, the people here are wonderful.

If you come with an open heart, you are likely to be treated with aloha.

There are always exceptions-people who are so bitter or angry that they won’t give you a chance. But if you treat the people you meet with kindness and respect, most will repay you with the aloha our Islands are known for.

Some nuts and bolts information on moving to Hawaii.

There are many sources of information about moving to Hawaii, and living here happily once you’ve made that move. Your Realtor is a great source of such information. You should also check out https://portal.ehawaii.gov/residents/newcomers-guide/