Welcome to Puna!

Be Safe.   Ask Questions.   Have Fun.

(Seriously --- any questions at all, just call or text anytime)

Solar Power

Living off-grid is a bit different than what you're used to.  The available power will fluctuate over the day.    On a bright sunny day, you may have 1500W or more of available power.    Yet after consecutive non-stop rainy days and nights, you might might only have 200W of available power, first thing in the morning.     The key is just to monitor and know where you are on the spectrum before using appliances that may have significant power draws.   The Power Meter to monitor is just to the right of the kitchen sink and shows available power as Voltage.   Think of 12.6V as "zero available power".   Each .1V represents ~100W.    If the meter reads "14.9V" (mid-day), then you have about 1500W available.    Please follow these general guidelines:

• • Monitor the Power/Voltage Meter Regularly.   Usually only a problem during endless rainy days.   Never have Voltage below 12.6V or above 14.9V.

  • Only run the washer/dryer during daylight, when the Meter shows 14V or above.   Never run the washer/dryer at night

  • Heat-conducting appliances (toaster, hot-water kettle, rice-cooker) consume the highest power.  Only use these during sunny days, when the meter is above 14V 

  • If the voltage goes down to 12.6 or lower in the morning, then please start-up the red Honda generator, located under the house, which will help charge the batteries.

  • If the voltage goes up to 15.0 (which I've never seen), turn on all the lights and appliances.  

Propane

Propane is used by the oven, the hot-water heater, the outdoor grill.  (The dryer is useless) 

The 5 gallon tanks for the oven, hot-water, dryer are all by the side of the house.

Lots of local places to refill tanks, including the Maku'u Farmers Market and ACE Hardware in Keaau

If you smell propane in the house, it probably means that the oven tank is very low (not high).  Please swap out for a new tank.   If the smell doesn't go away, let me know.

Toilet and Cesspool

The toilet has a wonderful bidet feature, so that using toilet paper is optional and discouraged.

Please NO tampons/pads, dental floss, or anything synthetic in the toilet --- only poop, please.

Please be very mindful, since it's a cesspool and not a septic tank.

If you smell sewage, please let me know.

Garbage and Compost

Please put organic compost in the compost bin out by the banana patches every day/night, since food in the house attracts the unwanted.

Any meat/bones/fat should be put in plastic bags and stored in the freezer, until you can do a dump run.

There are Transfer Stations (i.e. "dumps") in Keaau and Pahoa.   Keaau is closest.   Please visit regularly and don't let trash accumulate.

Feel free to add dry leaves and brown matter to the compost bin and stir, if you're around for a while.

Normal Sounds

Expect to hear lots of Coqui Frogs at night, and roosters in the morning.

There are also dogs ... (and earplugs)

The RAV4

If you've got the place to yourself, the "warm-up" routine for the RAV4 is :

• Start the car

• Walk down to unlock the gate, to let the car warm up

Cheapest gas is at Safeway in Hilo.

If there's problems, here are the best auto resources in Hilo:

• Mechanic : Pro Machanx, Hilo:          808.961.1212

• Tires: K&J Tires, Hilo,                        808.437.3404

It's best to have AAA or Geico road assistance on you mobile phone.   

Local Groceries

Keaau:    Foodland,  Keaau Natural Foods

Pahoa:  Natural Island, Malama

Hilo:  Natural Island, KTA,  CostULess, Abundant Life,  Suisun Fish

Best Fresh Fish:  https://www.facebook.com/Elliegirlfishing

Generally recommendations are Foodland for great local "Big Island Beef", wine, and Tilamook frozen custard;  KTA or Ellie Girl for fresh fish; and Natural Island in Hilo for food shopping therapy.   Suisun Fish in Hilo has the best Poki bowls, but is very crowded from 11:30 til 1:30 of course.

There are also a couple good produce stands on the West side of Hwy 130 between Kaloli Drive and Ainaloa,  and also across the street from Foodland in Keaau.    (Hint:  Locals don't ask "how much?")

Farmer’s Markets

Maku'u Farmers Market is on Sunday 7am to 2pm.   Not to be missed.

Hilo Farmers Market is everyday 7am - 3pm.   But it's about as touristy as you'll see on the east side.

The "Beach"

Beach Road, just north of Kaloli has a parking lot.   Then just walk due East, and you'll hit the coast.   Beyond amazing.

There's also good spots at the end of Maku'u too.    Beach Road and the side streets make for the best biking too.

On the south-east side is Kahena.   But it's quite crowded on the weekends.   And you're likely to be "overdressed".

Odds and Ends

• Volcano National Park.   Visit during the day for hikes, or at night for best lava flow viewing.    Not to be missed is the amazing old-growth forest walk in the town of Volcano behind the Volcano Art Center

• HPP Facebook Group has lots of good hints/tips and is searchable for many questions.

• Fun in Hilo

Liliokalani Gardens

Wailoa River State Park

Palace Theater

• Food Trucks and Restaurants

  • ThaiSmile

  • Tin Shack Bakery (currently closed)

  • Bite the Eye

  • East Side Food Trucks

• Swimming Beaches

  • (If there's been lots of rain, you probably don't want to go, due to brown-water run-off.)

  • Onekahaha (Easy Access)

  • Carlsmith Beach

  • Richardson Beach (Best Snorkelling/Reef)

• Happenings

  • Friday Night Art/Food/Music 5-8pm across from Hilo Bay Hostel

  • 2nd Saturday Art and Music in Pahoa

• Oddly enough, the locals never wear Hawaiian shirts; only folks in sales/service.