We live in Ocean View on Big Island and even though it's drier here, there is mostly water catchment. (I think it's because it's impossible to dig municipal water pipes in so this lava rock!) We've only had to buy/truck in water once in 3 and half years and it was only $200. We are on the grid but opted for solar hybrid lease program. We have a LOT of people that live off grid in our area. Probably one of the best places to collect solar since we have so little rain. This is great information! 🤙🏽
Wow! You are pretty good with your water. I have a friend moving to Ocean view soon and she was asking if I know of any good dozer operators around there who can clear a driveway and housemaid. Do you happen to know anyone?
@@HomesteadinHawaii not personally but if you go to Ka'u Calendar website or their page on FB you'll find lots of info and the people who run it are super helpful🤙🏽😊
Hey you did help me out a lot.....a lot of info that was super useful.....ND your budget for an actual move is on point accurate.....big thanks to you bro.....Mahalo
I love your channel! We are planning to off grid on Hawaii! Your channel and your wonderful information and warm loving personality is such a huge help for us! GOD BLESS YOUR HEART! Thank you!😁❤❤❤❤👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
We were in Hilo side to visit our friends and thought about set up our homestead over there. Like a shipping container home. Anyway, the moisture in the air and the humidity is our concern.
Most people I have met have issues with their shipping container homes in hawaii. I think with the right amount of retrofitting it can be a nice space, but that's a lot of money and skill. I'd rather build a normal home.
@@HomesteadinHawaii So very true! I gave up the idea of a shipping container long ago. Even yurts are problematic because of moisture and mold (need to be modified, IMHO)
Just found you on RUclips! Brilliant! Was wondering if I would have to have plumbing and electrical done by licensed contractors if not on electrical grid and had composting toilet, gray water system or even an electric toilet assuming I build a permitted home? Mahalo.
All Plumbing and Electrical needs to be done by a licensed contractor in order to obtain a permit. Everything else can be done by the homeowner. Plumbers do install greywater systems to specific codes as do the off grid solar installers.
Hey Shawn! G'day from Down Under!! We talked previously so "We ain't strangers no more!". Good to see you Slip, Slop, Slapped...an Aussie slogan to encourage people to slip on a T-shirt, slop on sunscreen and slap on a hat. Kudos for your choice of soundtrack...I mean how soothing is that! Something I was wondering after seeing the last Off Grid video in my feed was, can you convert wave energy into electricity? Cheers!
Gotta where the sun block. I was actually on a camp trip when I made that video. You can turn wave energy into electric but I have only seen it on an industrial scale. I don't know if us mere mortals can do it.
Great video, thanks for putting it together. Can you provide source information for those of us who own homes that are tied to Hawaiian Electric grid power; but would like to know more about what is required to transition off of grid power to full PV for a home? I have lots of questions. Things like how much power can you legally store in a garage? Or does power storage (batteries) have to be in an unattached building, and does battery technology change any of that (LiFePo4 vs Li-Ion vs NMH vs lead acid)? I want to make the setup is safe, legal and reliable. These not actual direct questions, but rather general thoughts on the matter.
Hawai'i County is the most open to off grid homesteading, but I know spots on all islands if you are rural enough. Whatever your budget allows you can find something in Hawai'i.
Legally you need permits but if you dont care most likely you'll have no problem building without. Especially if no power poles are heading to your site.
@@amandakimmal8250 They do but they aren't always in stock. The thing about here, you stock up when things are in stock even if you don't need right away
Bamboo is not accepted in the Universal Building Code in America unless it meets certain processing standards, which are only available in SE Asia. Once regulations change, we should see locally used bamboo, but until then, we explore the possibilities of bamboo locally off the books.
Still glad to see you doing it. You have support to live a fulfilling life for those who aren’t willing to take the necessary steps. I hope the culture maintains. I live in Florida and it isn’t the same Florida as when I was a kid. I understand growth is inevitable. Destroying nature and habitat is never the answer. Mostly Yankees. Yes you heard me! You’re rude and sadly it’s so engrained into your culture. Dog eat dog. Stay home. Watch your news. Ruin OUR little piece of paradise.
One thing that is constant...change. I think every local everywhere can say the same thing. I miss what my hometown turned into. I would've never left if the techies didn't make rent jack up so high.
You didn't make it clear but by "off grid" you are referring to building on your own property a dwelling that isn't connected to public utilities. My question is, are there people living off grid on state land in Hawaii ? Or can you simply camp indefinitely on state land without being thrown off ?
@@HomesteadinHawaii I think people need to get over this "native Hawaiian" thing. My relatives came over on the Mayflower but you don't see me saying that I'm entitled to land just because my family has been here longer than yours. This is America, we all play by the same rules and we're all entitled to the same Constitutional rights and nothing more. If Hawaiians think it's unfair then they should move to another country where they think the rules are more fair. Good luck with that one.
@@johnmazza9432 problem is, we moved into their country. Powerful american businessmen in the 1890's manipulated American law to steal hawaii from a sovereign nation. The ancestors of those businessmen did the same on the mainland, waging America's longest war and one of the world's worst genocides against the native Americans. We either continue our ancestors misdeeds or we learn from them and how to rectify them. I for one support hawaiian sovereignty and if that means I lose my land, so be it. I would much rather be a steward of the land than owner of the land anyway.
@@HomesteadinHawaii Maybe you're looking at this all wrong. Did we really steal Hawaii or did we set the Hawaiian people free ? Before we came along they had a monarchy. Everyone lived rent free but they were also slaves to the king and queen. Is that life any better ? And even if it wasn't terrible it wouldn't have lasted much longer and the islands would have fallen into the hands of some other nation . Let's just say they fell into the hands of China. Would communist rule have been better ? Of course not. You're problem is that you're living in a utopia mindset where the world isn't competitive. It's human nature to be competitive because we are all self interested. We all are fighting for our own survival . If you aren't willing to fight for your survival and the survival of your country then you better be prepared to die. If I lived in Hawaii , I would try to make the Hawaiian people see that becoming Americans was the best thing that ever happened to them and they should be fighting to protect America and the freedom they enjoy here, not fighting against America.
Well 1" of rain on a 1000 sq ft house is 600 gallons of water. I don't know how big a roof is on an earthship but you gotta be real good at saving water with rainfall numbers like that.
Awesome! A lot of info in one shot. Mahalo! Liked
We live in Ocean View on Big Island and even though it's drier here, there is mostly water catchment. (I think it's because it's impossible to dig municipal water pipes in so this lava rock!) We've only had to buy/truck in water once in 3 and half years and it was only $200. We are on the grid but opted for solar hybrid lease program. We have a LOT of people that live off grid in our area. Probably one of the best places to collect solar since we have so little rain. This is great information! 🤙🏽
Wow! You are pretty good with your water. I have a friend moving to Ocean view soon and she was asking if I know of any good dozer operators around there who can clear a driveway and housemaid. Do you happen to know anyone?
@@HomesteadinHawaii not personally but if you go to Ka'u Calendar website or their page on FB you'll find lots of info and the people who run it are super helpful🤙🏽😊
Great tip! Mahalo
Hey you did help me out a lot.....a lot of info that was super useful.....ND your budget for an actual move is on point accurate.....big thanks to you bro.....Mahalo
Prices have changed since this video but I tried to include everything you should expect. Glad I could help.
No doubt everybody told me to watch before I moved......ND it would have been a nightmare.....keep up the good work......ND know I am supporter
Thanks for shedding some light on all of this. I'm a fan of container homes if done right. I think quonset huts are also cool.
You don't see many quonset huts these days but many people do container homes, Good Luck with your journey
I love your channel!
We are planning to off grid on Hawaii! Your channel and your wonderful information and warm loving personality is such a huge help for us! GOD BLESS YOUR HEART! Thank you!😁❤❤❤❤👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
Awe thanks!
Thanks for your ideas and expertise . I own 3 acres in Fern Acres and will build in 2023
Good luck out there!
We were in Hilo side to visit our friends and thought about set up our homestead over there. Like a shipping container home. Anyway, the moisture in the air and the humidity is our concern.
Most people I have met have issues with their shipping container homes in hawaii. I think with the right amount of retrofitting it can be a nice space, but that's a lot of money and skill. I'd rather build a normal home.
@@HomesteadinHawaii So very true! I gave up the idea of a shipping container long ago. Even yurts are problematic because of moisture and mold (need to be modified, IMHO)
Thank you for the great advice!
Dope. Looking to make the move 2021.
Thanks for watching!
I’m with yah
Just found you on RUclips! Brilliant!
Was wondering if I would have to have plumbing and electrical done by licensed contractors if not on electrical grid and had composting toilet, gray water system or even an electric toilet assuming I build a permitted home?
Mahalo.
All Plumbing and Electrical needs to be done by a licensed contractor in order to obtain a permit. Everything else can be done by the homeowner. Plumbers do install greywater systems to specific codes as do the off grid solar installers.
THANK YOU!
Hey Shawn! G'day from Down Under!! We talked previously so "We ain't strangers no more!". Good to see you Slip, Slop, Slapped...an Aussie slogan to encourage people to slip on a T-shirt, slop on sunscreen and slap on a hat. Kudos for your choice of soundtrack...I mean how soothing is that! Something I was wondering after seeing the last Off Grid video in my feed was, can you convert wave energy into electricity? Cheers!
Gotta where the sun block. I was actually on a camp trip when I made that video. You can turn wave energy into electric but I have only seen it on an industrial scale. I don't know if us mere mortals can do it.
Thanks for this great info
What side of the big island has the most off grid land?
Eastside, Puna for sure
Great video, thanks for putting it together. Can you provide source information for those of us who own homes that are tied to Hawaiian Electric grid power; but would like to know more about what is required to transition off of grid power to full PV for a home? I have lots of questions. Things like how much power can you legally store in a garage? Or does power storage (batteries) have to be in an unattached building, and does battery technology change any of that (LiFePo4 vs Li-Ion vs NMH vs lead acid)? I want to make the setup is safe, legal and reliable. These not actual direct questions, but rather general thoughts on the matter.
Those questions will take some research. You could always contact Doug @ solarman hawaii. He would know the answers.
@@HomesteadinHawaii Excellent, thank you so much and I appreciate your quick response. We are enjoying your insight and ideas.
Mahalo, great advise will check out the county info, do all the islands have a similar attitude to homesteading or just the big island?
Hawai'i County is the most open to off grid homesteading, but I know spots on all islands if you are rural enough. Whatever your budget allows you can find something in Hawai'i.
@@HomesteadinHawaii it mya not be something you actually want though 🙀
Hi, do you know any framer?
I have a permit for my little house, I am looking for a good framer.
Thank you
You might want to try ask in the homesteadin' Hawaii fb group. I'm sure you'll get tons of suggestions.
Hey, I have a place in Glenwood, no electric poles on my unpaved road, how do I know what I can legally build?
Legally you need permits but if you dont care most likely you'll have no problem building without. Especially if no power poles are heading to your site.
I will be moving there end of May/beginning of June. I'd love to connect and pick your brain! I'm looking into a yurt, I think it is a great idea!
Also, I don't seem to be able to find out (in advance) if home depot still sells "tuff sheds". Do you know anything about them?
@@amandakimmal8250 They do but they aren't always in stock. The thing about here, you stock up when things are in stock even if you don't need right away
Very true haha. I am definitely looking forward to the new life!
Hey man thanx for the info. Do u prefer Hawaii over California
With one surfspot left in Hilo, I'd much prefer CA now. Although the fires are intense. If I could go anywhere though it would be Indonesia
Awesome video man
Mahalo
Learning so much from your videos!! Mahalo🤙🏽
Mahalo for watching!
Yes.
Yes and no
So if you have to go to the doctor the grocery store your miles and miles away or what's up with that
That’s country living
How much will you charge to build us a house??? You did a amazing job!!!
Sorry. I don’t build houses for other people
Thanks Sean 🤙
How can I contact you out of RUclips?
I’ll be moving to Hawaii this summer Hilo I’ll be going off grid thinking of the Puna area or Pahoa.
Mahalo
I live in Puna. Feel free to hit me up on my email. swjennings [at] gmail.com
What is the name of the Bamboo house company that operates in Hawaii?
Bamboo living I believe
Great video
Why wouldn’t they be harvesting the bamboo that’s Locally grown in the state?
Bamboo is not accepted in the Universal Building Code in America unless it meets certain processing standards, which are only available in SE Asia. Once regulations change, we should see locally used bamboo, but until then, we explore the possibilities of bamboo locally off the books.
Homesteadin' Hawai'i thanks for the rely ... 40 years old this year and looking forward to coming to the big island for the first time
What else can you do without infrastructure?
Forestry I guess
Still glad to see you doing it. You have support to live a fulfilling life for those who aren’t willing to take the necessary steps. I hope the culture maintains. I live in Florida and it isn’t the same Florida as when I was a kid. I understand growth is inevitable. Destroying nature and habitat is never the answer. Mostly Yankees. Yes you heard me! You’re rude and sadly it’s so engrained into your culture. Dog eat dog. Stay home. Watch your news. Ruin OUR little piece of paradise.
One thing that is constant...change. I think every local everywhere can say the same thing. I miss what my hometown turned into. I would've never left if the techies didn't make rent jack up so high.
You didn't make it clear but by "off grid" you are referring to building on your own property a dwelling that isn't connected to public utilities. My question is, are there people living off grid on state land in Hawaii ? Or can you simply camp indefinitely on state land without being thrown off ?
Off grid on your own property. There is no off grid on state land here unless you are native hawaiian and even then good luck.
@@HomesteadinHawaii I think people need to get over this "native Hawaiian" thing. My relatives came over on the Mayflower but you don't see me saying that I'm entitled to land just because my family has been here longer than yours. This is America, we all play by the same rules and we're all entitled to the same Constitutional rights and nothing more. If Hawaiians think it's unfair then they should move to another country where they think the rules are more fair. Good luck with that one.
@@johnmazza9432 problem is, we moved into their country. Powerful american businessmen in the 1890's manipulated American law to steal hawaii from a sovereign nation. The ancestors of those businessmen did the same on the mainland, waging America's longest war and one of the world's worst genocides against the native Americans. We either continue our ancestors misdeeds or we learn from them and how to rectify them.
I for one support hawaiian sovereignty and if that means I lose my land, so be it. I would much rather be a steward of the land than owner of the land anyway.
@@HomesteadinHawaii Maybe you're looking at this all wrong. Did we really steal Hawaii or did we set the Hawaiian people free ? Before we came along they had a monarchy. Everyone lived rent free but they were also slaves to the king and queen. Is that life any better ? And even if it wasn't terrible it wouldn't have lasted much longer and the islands would have fallen into the hands of some other nation . Let's just say they fell into the hands of China. Would communist rule have been better ? Of course not. You're problem is that you're living in a utopia mindset where the world isn't competitive. It's human nature to be competitive because we are all self interested. We all are fighting for our own survival . If you aren't willing to fight for your survival and the survival of your country then you better be prepared to die. If I lived in Hawaii , I would try to make the Hawaiian people see that becoming Americans was the best thing that ever happened to them and they should be fighting to protect America and the freedom they enjoy here, not fighting against America.
@@HomesteadinHawaii Current Hawaiians are descendants of genocidal leader. So they stole the land.
Do you need to insulate your home in Hawaii?
No
that is cool _ where can i starr
Start by saving
How to find land thats not to far from stores and stuff
What’s your budget?
Hi, would you say Hawaii is a great place to raise children?
Depends on where you live, just like any place else
i want a yurt , a bamboo hpme
I've been thinking about those too.
I laugh at the laws in other states. The sun is free. Whats illegal is that sky high light bill you get each month!
The govt loves their control. Even if it means finding a way to block the sun so you have to pay for it.
You on,y need 6 inches of rainfall a year to have enough water. If you have an earth ship house.
Well 1" of rain on a 1000 sq ft house is 600 gallons of water. I don't know how big a roof is on an earthship but you gotta be real good at saving water with rainfall numbers like that.
in the ‘60s when off grid started, mostly by hippies & Vietnam vets growing pakalolo🤙🏽
What kind of bugs are over there
Mosquitoes, fire ants, slugs that carry rat lungworm disease
22 years, not arrested yet.
I’m going on 21. Fingers crossed
Peace dude
✌️
I want to buy land in Hawaii and retire there I'm in California
Admirable goal. Time to make a plan
yurt
Yes, but you probably need to modify it to be ventilated more
Shark food.
???