About Us
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Our Home
We live in Hawaiian Paradise Park (HPP), located in the Puna District of East Hawaii (on the big island), approximately 15 miles southeast of Hilo. This subdivision stretches 4 miles to the Pacific Ocean and is 3.5 miles wide, consisting of about 137 miles of roadways. It is the second largest private subdivision the the United States with over 8,800 building lots, most of which are one acre in size. We moved here in May 2003 with our two dogs.
Our home is about three miles from the shoreline of the island, though there's no beach. We live on a half-mile long dead end street, and so rarely see people unless we drive into town. Instead, we're surrounded by ohia and palm trees, huge vines, and tropical flowers like orchids and bromeliads. Within our lot, we have bananas, pineapples, papayas, coconuts, and macadamia nut trees. Living around us are mynah birds, cardinals, mejiros, finches, doves, chickens, geckos, anoles, skinks, frogs, and lots of big bugs.
We chose Hawaii as our home because of the incredible plant life, the blue ocean full of fish, its even climate, the geologic activity, and the hiking trails. Our house is open to the elements day and night, and doesn't have heating or cooling systems. It does have screens, of course. However, it feels like you are outside even when you aren't -- the tradewinds breeze through, the sounds of birds, frogs, palm trees, and rain make a pleasant background, and the smells of the rich jungle fill the house. As we fill the house with our own plants and animals, the line between indoors and outdoors blurs even more.
The Big Island, as the island of Hawaii is usually called, spreads over 4,038 square miles and is more than twice the size of all the other islands combined, but is home to only 125,000 people. About three quarters of the population live in Hilo and the small towns of Kailua-Kona and Kamuela. We're living in unincorporated Hawaii county, though we get our mail in a town called Kea'au. The closest village to us is Pahoa. First a rugged sawmill town, then a sugar town, Pahoa Village has maintained its western-style storefronts and wooden boardwalks in a small-town Victorian style. The village is notorious for its "hippie" residents -- if you're looking for shirtless dreadlocked kids playing bongos and smoking weed in a gentle shower, this is the spot. Pahoa means 'dagger' in the Hawaiian language.
Location: Our house is at 19.56° North, 154.96° West, or just south of the 20th latitude. This map shows approximately where we live. Zoom in and out to get a better idea of the relation to the rest of the world.
Population: HPP has an approximate population of 7,000. There are close to 4000 houses in HPP today which means the subdivision is less than half-filled. The district of Puna, which covers approximately 300 square miles, has a population of about 31,446 residents.
Elevation: Varies from sea level to 13,680 feet atop Mauna Loa (which is not in Puna, but very visible from here). The district basically sits on the slope of Mauna Loa, so elevation climbs the closer to the summit you are.
Climate: Daytime highs usually run from 76 to 82 degrees, with lows of 65 to 75 degrees at night. Not too much change year round. 90% of the rain falls at night, and we get about 140 inches per year. A typical forecast (winter or summer): High temperatures in the mid 80's, lows in the low 70's, Trade winds 10 to 15 mph, a few patchy clouds with scattered showers over the upper slopes. Ocean temperature 75 degrees. More information on climate is available at Weather.com.
Outdoor Recreation: Active volcanoes, botanical gardens, hot ponds, lava trees, stellar observatories, and historic Hilo town with its farmer's market, museums, galleries, festivals, fairs, and theatres.
Other Hawaii Information:
The State Flag
Hawaii's
state flag resembles the Union Jack of Great Britain because many of King Kamehameha's
advisors were British and the islands were once placed under England's protection.
The flag consists of eight horizontal stripes, representing the eight major islands,
and the British Union Jack. It has served as the flag of the kingdom, republic,
territory, and the state of Hawaii.
The State Bird
The
nene, or Hawaiian Goose, is the state bird of Hawaii. Once nearly extinct, it
has been rescued through the valiant efforts of conservationists here in the
islands and throughout the world.
The State Flower
The
striking and beautiful yellow hibiscus (hibiscus brackenridgei), known as the
pua aloalo in the Hawaiian language, is the state flower. It is believed that
there were originally only five species of hibiscus native to Hawaii. Later other
varieties were imported and growers began to develop hybrids to produce the kaleidoscope
of colors and sizes found today.
The State Tree
The
kukui is the state tree of Hawaii. Also known as the candlenut, the kukui was
a most useful tree to the early Hawaiians who used it for oil, light, and other
purposes.
The State Fish
The
tiny, colorful fish with the long name - humuhumunukunukuapua'a - was designated
as the state fish in 1985. The Rectangular Triggerfish is indigenous to Hawaii.
It was selected after a high-profile campaign to educate the public about the
kinds of fish that inhabit Hawaiian waters.
The State Gem
The
black coral which grows in Hawaii's offshore waters has been established as the
official state gem. Since its discovery by early Hawaiian divers, harvesting
of the spectacular corals has led to the establishment of a thriving black coral
jewelry industry and enhanced visitor and resident appreciation of Hawaii's ocean
resources.
The State Marine Mammal
Each
winter, Hawaii welcomes and shelters entire herds of humpback whales as they
migrate from northern waters to their traditional calving grounds off the island
of Maui. This spectacular animal has been designated the official state marine
mammal. Hawaii offers a safe haven for the humpback, and the opportunity for
the scientific community to study whales in a protected environment.
