10 Reasons NOT To Go Off Grid On Big Island of Hawai'i 

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Everyone who comes to Hawaii, think their different. I’m a Registered Nurse on Kauai, past 20 yrs. Just paid off my house.. it is what it is. I contribute to my community, but always going to be haters on my skin color and education. Jealousy , is what it is. I just look forward.😅

I have in Hawaii 31 years. You captured all 10 reasons perfectly!

I appreciate your raw honesty. Lord knows I don't want to be somewhere where the people are hostile or resentful of new comers, but I still want to visit someday and just drive around the big island and get a feel of the land. Thanks for sharing your wealth of information.

Wonderful, I moved twice to big island. Can't seem to commit to returning. But your mindset is great. I'm a foodie and planted many fruit trees on the island

My daughter and i was thinking to move to Hawaii latter in life , after that information I'm thinking twice!

Great video! I too am a So Cal guy. Back in 08 (before I retired) I bought a half acre on the big island (in Puna district) in the Mountain View sub-division. I almost built there (like what you did) but the on-going lava flows and now Mauna Loa volcano woke up and it gave me many sleepless nights! I ended up selling my paradise homestead land for piece-of-mind here on the mainland. I did in fact love the two giant farmers markets in downtown Hilo. Looking back, I wish I could have kept my land which I paid in full with my tax refunds! We could have been neighbors! 🤗

Accurate, informative video. Thank you. I lived, part time/back-and-forth on the Big Island, (Honomu, and Puna) for three years. I would NOT make plans to move back.

Great video! You still didn't change my mind though lol. I need to get out of California and be with better people. This place is draining my soul.

Wow Shawn! You have given me so much to think about from permaculture right through to health and wellness. God bless you for your honesty! Cheers!

You provided very useful information. Thank you!

In the 1920s and 30s, the sand on the islands of Hawaii and Oahu was shipped there from the town of Manhattan Beach in the County of Los Angeles, CA. Nowadays, it’s being imported from off-shore areas near the islands.

Absolutely love how you know your history about Hawaii and how you give back🤙🏾🌱

Not sure if you have been to California beaches recently, but it may not be what you remember...still sand but lots of tents now.

Mahalo Brother... This was much appreciated, may you and your family forever be blessed and may the mother land continue to bless you... 🤙🏽🤙🏽🤙🏽

Thanks for your honesty, candor, and integrity in how you describe things. You're a wonderful example of why I want to move to Hawaii. Beautiful place and gentle people. There are bad apples in any garden. But, there are many more good ones in Hawaii. The spirit of Aloha is what truly makes Hawaii special.

Very best, comprehensive video of warnings I have seen for Big Island.

Excellent review, your confirmation on some of my concerns really helps, thank you!

I lived on the Hamakua for awhile doing organic farming, different than the Puna district. I’m thought you were going to mention Coqui frogs, I like them personally but I know a lot of people don’t.

How you explained #10, shows what a gentleman you are!

I'm 25 miles outside of Austin, living mostly off grid except for electric. We have the craziest insects out here: massive centipedes, scorpions, fire ants, tarantula hawks etc etc. I'm looking at Hawaii, also grew up in Southern CA and miss surfing like crazy. A lot of the points you make are similar to here, but no ocean!

You forgot to mention the drought and food prices❤ aloha from big island 🏝️

Just as many Sandy beaches on the big as on Maui and find property with soil if that’s what you want . They grew sugar cane all over lower and upper Puna and all over the big island and those areas have soil .. Check the lava flow maps to find areas you can till and farm . Where you bought property without soil was your choice .. I bought land in Puna with deep rich black volcanic soil perfect for cow pastures or farming ... Haven’t you been to Waimea it has beautiful top soil and so does Kohala and Kau ... More soil on the big island than the other islands if you know where to find it . Paradise park where it looks like you are was known as cheap scrub land 50 years ago .

Great video. All true. Good and bad. I respect your effort to create a life in Puna and do it in a sustainable way. We had a house for years past east of Pahoa. All taken away by Pele in 2018. Had to leave and probably can't return to live. We are getting a bit too old to start over. Memories will have to suffice. Good luck to you and your family. Lots of work but you get much more in return. Aloha

Great ,real video thank you 💓 I ,like others have felt called to the islands . I’ve wanted to live there my whole life . Hawaii has always felt so magical and precious to me. Now I’ve been given a open door to relocate to Hilo and for the first time in my life actually living in Hawaii is a real possibility. So my husband and I are doing all of our research and watching all of the con videos of moving to the Big Island to break any misconceptions about actual life on the island . I’ve heard some things about sewage problems and beaches being shut down and and people getting staff infections. Can you shed more light in this since you are actually there ? The islands are so used to people just going there to take . What does the island really need ? What do the people need ?

Thanks for sharing. As a mainlander, I have been reluctant to buy land for many of the reasons you mention. I do my best to stay current with issues on the islands and always do my best to be respectful when I visit. I think that goes a long way. I sometimes get embarrassed as a visitor to see how some others disrespect the land and locals. Just my two cents. Thanks for the video and explaining it so well.

THIS HAS GOT TO BE THE BEST AND INFORMATIVE VIDEO I'VE SEEN ABOUT THE BIG ISLAND YET.

Thank you for this video and for sharing Aloha Spirit with the world! Bless Up Brother Aloha 🙏🙏🙏

Quick overview... Ten Reasons not to move to Big Island 1. Few sandy beaches 2. Lava danger 3. Little surfing options 4. Volcanic smog "vog" 5. Fire ants 6. High gas prices 7. Spread out, a lot of driving 8. Shallow soil, must grow some stuff in raised beds 9. Poverty, drugs, crime, bad education 10. Hawaii is "stolen land" - referring to the whole state

Lava flow and crime are spooking me off that area - thanx for ur post

If you have a certain sort of mind, islands are fine to live in. You will end up in circles, going in them...but that can be said the same for everywhere. People develop habits...then have a hard time breaking them. Everyone has to escape their own circles at some point.

Bro. You do realize the entire mainland was pretty much stolen too, from the native indian tribes. I have family that get on my ass saying I shouldnt live here, and I just tell them the same think. Neither should they be living on Sacred Indian lands. This same argument most likely applies to all land. I have done work for many Hawaiian people on their homes, and 1 'Uncle' I did some repairs for, dropped me some real info the locals dont want brought up. I havent looked it up to verify it, but guess what, This same land was stolen by them from the Polynesians that were here before. Not only that, but the people that supposedly say this land is theirs, Originally Tahitians, came here and murdered everyone that was already here. Now, I wasnt here when all this supposedly happened. None of us were. But the old braddah that passed this story to me, was also a brother US Marine, that was drafted, and didnt even know what the Marine Corps was. He served his time, as did I. Another thing I have to say, is respect is both earned and reciprocated, or its not respect at all. Just because the loxals demand this so called respect, doesnt mean they deserve it, nor have earned it... No no no.. Would you respect anyone that just hates you without knowing you? Absolutely not. Most people show respect automatically, deserved or not. A couple years ago, while the TMT was trying to start the telescope project, and was being blocked by the locals, I had a visitor that I was showing around the island. We had started that days trip covering basically what we could while touring from Hilo to Keaau to Pahoa, out to the lava flows, then we headed towards Volcano Park, then on around towards Kau. We stopped at one of the rest areas that overlooks the ocean. Quite a few tourists were there, and doing the same taking pictures and all. About that time a local car comes hauling ass right thru the rest area, music blasting, dope smoke pouring out the windows. A few of the older tourists quickly headed to their cars, and got inside. The local car doors opened and 1 pretty big dude gets out and literally starts urinating over the edge of the outlook, then gets back in the car. No biggy. I do it too, but a little more discretely... Then the car starts revving its motor for no reason. I figured they were gonna do a burnout, so I stood and watched, as I love hot rods, and burnouts.. I was so disappointed. All they did was get everyones attention, then threw out a bunch of McDonalds trash, and slowly took off. We were already preparing to leave during all this, and ended up behind these oblivious, disrespectful people. We had decided to drive back to Puna side for the night, and took the mountain pass. The car in front of us, unfortunately, did too. They would take off and drive fast, like 85, then slow back down to under 30, over and over, trash constantly being just thrown out the windows. The thing that really blew my mind, was when we got to the intersection at the TMT, the car pulled in the blocked side of the road, and while I waited for the stoplight to change, the people got out of the car. All big local boys, and 2 were even wearing what looked to be very authentic Hawaiian Ritual clothing. They were there to be a part of the event. Saving the island from the TMT.. Just shortly sfter having so disrespectfully thrown out their trash on pretty much what the locals call Sacred land, because every square inch is supposedly sacred, well, except where they throw trash out??? I have such a different view of this place now...

Dude you should update your video, let people know how much cost of living has gone up, how it’s like a million dollars to buy a house , how it’s over flowing with tourists and on and on

Thanks for the reality check, a must see for all of us malihini

😅 asteroids are a worry too, but what a Beautiful Island, Hawaii is rugged mountainious in the Pacific Ring of Fire. Friend your in paradise.😊

I have all those problems here on the Mainland other than No Lava, but I could be blown away by one of our deadly TORNADOES!! A lot of it is one’s attitude, Hawaii is the closest place to Heaven, my Paradise! Nothing, Nothing will make me change my mind, been planning this for over 20 years!! ALOHA 🌴🌴

Great to see you! Great points, sir,

Thank you very very much for your information!!! Very eye-opening. Can you do a video about the cost of living, insurance issues, medical issues, tourist issues, etc.??

No snakes either. Dengue has disappeared, but of course could come back.

I lived on Oahu as a kid, and you politely touched on the racism outsiders need to be aware of. The last day of school then was "kill haole day", and a haole is a white person. A Hawaiian girl who was my friend all year chose me to beat up on kill haole day. The land was stolen from native Hawaiians and many are, rightfully so, still truly angry about that. You stated it all very nicely, but it is a big fact of life there. I want to go back and visit, but have no desire to live there with my blonde hair and blue eyes.

Southern Ca is not any better: congested continuous traffic on a daily basis plus many other factors: Personally, the positives outweigh the negatives in Hawaii, esp the Aloha Spirit

I think you pretty much convinced me not to ever move there. Very informative. You seem like a cool neighbor.

Great video

I would agree with high gas prices. But literally every other thing mentioned is either A: based on personal preference (I’m glad there are no sandy beaches on the east side. Traffic is already a problem as mentioned. I prefer the food resources and the still wild nature of the coastline that is due to the rugged nature of the terrain.) B: easily solved by 3 things: location, location, location. For me personally most of the items (except the gas prices and traffic) are not at all a factor.

If anything people like you would make me want to move there more 🙏🕉️

The Prefix of Addresses on BI indicate the lava zone where the property is located!

Is internet and phone signal good and is it expensive?

Very informative, thanks for the video. Hope I find a neighbor as autonomous as you. Thanks again.

I have visited oahu, and kauai. I loved kauai so much I went back 3x. Avid surfer, and even with the plethora of surf spots in oahu it didnt hold a candle to kauai. I just took my wife to the big island and we fell in love. I noticed the lack of spots to surf and that was enlightening.. But coming from Texas coastline (my current home base), I would be in a much better position as a surfer living there. I only got to surf pine trees, and other kona area spots (lymans etc.) But Honoli'i looks soo fun. Do you have long stretches of no surf? Anyways, that was very informative. It sort of solidifies my choice to go SoCal.. Convincing my wife of that will be a task for sure, though.

Thank you. Wanna go there even more now.🤭🙏

Again I will say this, you are a very good addition to the community !!! Of course you know there are 2 very distinct and separate, but then again not so separate, cultures here, the local polynesian native culture and the other local culture that was born in the plantation camp life ... thanks for your contributions !!!

Ur my hawaii education Topic of mastery The Big island Thannnk u

💝💝💝 Thank you love

I live in the state of Nevada, that being said half of these reasons don't even apply to me. I want to be a tropical homesteader as my long term goal in life. I would be thankful to even be able to go to a beach as the closest thing I get is lake mead which has large rocks infested in the ground. We have certain pest here, mice, snakes, scorpions and tarantulas , the aforementioned coyotes. if anything I'm concerned about the vog, and ratworm slug. I feel gas prices could be avoided by getting an electric car but I'm sure that comes with its own downsides.

If u build a house in lava flow…….😮

Great video, just found your channel & subbed. Question... Do you have any insight about if & when they plan on replacing the Pohoiki boat ramp, or if there are other reasonable alternatives w/o going off-roading? Is it even possible to dock or launch a boat on the Puna / Hilo side to do some deep sea fishing, without costing an arm & leg for docking?...Just curious what the locals are doing since the last lava flow. I've tried asking Gabe & a couple of others, but he's usually MIA anymore & the others don't really fish.

Thanks for the video. I had previously been looking/dreaming of moving to the US Virgin Islands, then I was considering Belize (Ambergris Caye). I watched a couple videos of yours and another person sort of off gridding it on what they said was cheap land. I am impressed by all of the fruit trees you have and would like something similar. What areas and / or Islands would you recommend to start a search for a possible future move? If you had to move again, and had a little more money, are there other areas you would check out? Thanks!

All true. Really really hurting more in pandemic because tourism is 75% of economy.

is there any tropical warm places that doesnt have insects? isnt that implied already? is it possible to just use physical or natural protection?

Jay from Word of advice just moved their

great video, you have a good perspective and alas you totally sold me on moving there. if you ever experience wash dc area, you will know why im leaving for Hawaiian islands.

In 1927, those white men brought in 100,000 Filipinos to harvest their sugar cane. Today, Filipinos in Hawaii appropriate the culture as they manned the hospitality industry to entertain the white tourists and dress up as hawaiians. With Filipinos bringing that asian vibe, other asians came in and did the same. What you think of as a Hawaiian native is likely Japanese Filipino admixture. So not only is the land stolen, but the identity is as well. Those people protesting ironically are not even "Hawaiian".

We are “house divided” when it comes to the Big Island - I would not mind your side of the island, but the honey loves the stretch from KOA to Hawi…. I have a lot of convincing to do. I love gardening and I must have chickens, so his choice of location will not work for me :))

Very enlightening braddah, mahalo!

Great info would like to ask you questions about buying Ag1 land.

How do you deal with the slug disease when growing own food? Had a friend on Maui who became crippled from it after homesteading

Very well said...especially #10

Basically just don’t move to puna district. Hawaii island is awesome. So many wonderful places to live and near zero crime.

Thank you for this video especially the end ✊🏽 land back

Thanks for sharing that info regarding the soil. Never heard that before so that’s an eye opener as I thought the volcanic ash made the whole island ideal for farming? So you’re estimating a few thousand dollars just to bring in enough soil to establish a new garden?

A couple years ago I visited 5 islands in Hawaii, one of them being the Big Island and I witnessed what you talk about. I give you credit for accomplishing what you have, starting with nothing. But looking back on your experiences, would you say that you could have achieved more if you had some savings and simply moved to Oahu where there is a more diversified economy ? For instance , if you had a trade like being a construction worker and simply rented a apartment in Waikiki .

No vacancy!

I lived in Keaau and worked in Hilo for 12 years.........Hawaii is....... not a place to move to. I had friends and in a band. If I had a millions dollars.........Hawaii....`.is the last place I would live. If you are from the mainland they do not like you. So only visit but do not move.

Thanks, bro! I'm feeling the call to Puna. Heard there's a lot of spiritual hippy types over there. Sort of turned off by the drugs & crime though. Do you participate in any of the ecstatic dances, drum circles, educational seminars, etc.?

Good man and good video. Thank you

I've been debating moving there from SoCal and was looking at Pahoa, Hilo, Waimea and Honokaa. I'm thinking Waimea is the place for me, based on this vid. Thanks. Not doing the off grid thing. Semi-grid maybe. But I really want to be able to get to them sandy beaches in a reasonable period of time....also, believe all land, all of America is "stolen". Have seen the intense hatred of the haole in Maui. It's difficult but it's the way it is. Will try to bring "skills" to help out.

The problem is those of us living outside of hawaii dont see most these as cons since all that shits way worse where we live lol

Thanks

Captain Cook, HI 1 acre of land $4,000 good not good?

Hilo is not one of the cheapest for gas in all of the islands. It’s cheaper then Kona, Waimea for example but Oahu has cheaper gas. When you say the planning* on the road is not the best is an understatement. It’s horrible. Barely have roads here. Mostly two lanes no divider to provide safety from cars heading in other direction. And the traffic is horrific. There’s tons of cars and it’s nearly impossible depending where you’re coming out of to get onto da highway, extremely dangerous. Barely any lights and only two roundabouts and one is ridiculously small which causes major backup. Many people don’t want to grow their food cause of RLW though you mainly have to worry about eating anything raw. That’s why green smoothies can be dangerous. Centipedes! Lord have mercy. Every time I see them I want to leave here but I can not drive on da mainland, due to too many lanes of traffic, high rate of speed and bridges and those things that curve up in the air. It’s not just new cars they steal. My 1986 4-runner was stolen around 2008-2009. Any car is a target. He’s not joking about the crime. I’ve been burglarized 4 times , 4 different times. Last burglary was the costliest. They stole the water pump, hot water heater, inverter, batteries, charge controller, propane tank, pressure prank. They were gonna take my catchment tank the next day/ night but burglary was discovered soon enough. They got through my heavy duty gate( like da kind they have at da schools) they tried cutting through pipe but somehow got to my lock that was in a cylinder. You can’t go and park at rivers waterfalls or by the ocean , especially where it’s more remote they will break into your car. He didn’t talk about the problem with loose dogs . Lots of loose dogs, pit bulls.etc. Lady was attacked by 2-4 dogs and died. Heard of a few more attacks,. Very scary to walk or ride a bicycle here. Nothing usually gets done about this issue.

Everyone has their own opinion..if u like it move

Tell me why you’re still there?

All this from someone who lives in the worst part of The Big Island (Puna). I have properties in Laupahoehoe, Kapaa and Kona and do not have the PUNALIZED issues as he does. Living in Zones 1 or 2 of the Lava Flows (worst there is) probably adds to this person's viewpoints. From our side, we love our neighbors, work with the County of Hawaii readily and do not have the same issues as he does. Maybe stay away from Puna/Pahoa and you will not have the same negative viewpoints as this person.

If the lava gets your land do you still own it?

You may not hear this version of history told often but it has been said that the royal family sold Hawaii to foreign investor and thus, they are the ones to blame for the Hawaiian people not having any ownership of their land. The long and short of it is that the Hawaiian people were uneducated and taken advantage of. But that's not the whole story. You can try to blame the white man for all their problems but when you think about it, the US actually gave Hawaiian people a great deal. They gave them freedom and Constitutional rights otherwise they might still be living like slaves under some sort of authoritarian rule. The US government also gave them a social welfare system and schools. So who is really to blame for Hawaiians being poor ? I'd say that the Hawaiian people are to blame for their situation in life. And lets remember that not all Hawaiians are poor. Some have worked and bought property and done well for themselves but others failed to take responsibility for their lives because lets face it, it's easy to be lazy in a land that never gets cold and you can live in a shack.

Excellent

I couldn't help but chuckle a little. Stumbled upon your videos after surfing through Jamie O'Brian and Tina Cohens surfing in Hawaii North Shore videos. Also found Poopiesgram--also a zany surfer, lifeguard, jackass show personality who wound up getting bit during a shark week episode on National Geographic! Anyway, trying to make it up into 1K subscriber land, still down here in the 100-200 realm. 🙏📿

What do you do for a living?

Howzit Sean. What do you think of off gridding in Eden Roc? What’s the nearest beach?

NO SNAKES IN HAWAII

Off the grid 22 years in Puna. Give up, it can't be done. Go home.

Is there any spots north shore Big island that can surf ?

Pahoa Local. I have heels of steel. Bummed about Green Lake. Haven't seen seen what is Left. Pohoika is no more👎

He do be looking zooted af lmao but mad respect to him and his honesty and truth

I want to leave my land to locals when I pass. I just want to have a few last years of my life there.

Thank you for this video. It’s very informative.

California beaches are pretty disgusting, massive pollution, raw sewage, and cold cold water. Also stay out of lava zones 1 and 2 and you are probably golden.

Mahalo for the TRUTH. Got PUNA

Mahalo for sharing reason #10!!

I enjoyed your video - I know this is random but since you’ve been there so long - I’m wondering if you know Kekoa Gordon