What it’s REALLY like living in Puna on the Big Island of Hawaii (Funny but True)

[@bonitocarrado8988]

put rice in your salt

[@captainorangesburner]

We do that in Appalachia. Common knowledge and widespread here.

[@babyblue8820]

Dry rice 😂 not cooked...😊

[@aquacommelina]

The humidity where they live is so high that even the rice with the salt doesn't work, sadly.

[@lealovesthesea]

@@aquacommelinanot true

[@MelissaWong-yb6jx]

Why

[@sandyn1440]

Put rice in your salt shaker. My grandma did and she lived in Pāhoa for 15 years. Help with the moisture

[@tombombadil9113]

Was going to suggest that... this is one thing New Jersey has in common with Hawaii, apparently lol

[@jodykurt9935]

Yes. Done in humid parts here in the US main land as well

[@tombombadil9113]

@Sabrina Trotter That's funny, I always think of dust bowls when I hear Oklahoma :)

[@Oniphius1]

@@tombombadil9113 Oklahoma is part of Tornado alley. This is an event in an area of the country that moves through out the year. What happens here is, this is the area where the cold dry air moving down from Canada meets the warm tropical air coming up from the Gulf. So at certain times of year, the warm moist tropical air from the gulf reaches up to and past Oklahoma. This causes Oklahoma to become humid at this time of year.

[@tombombadil9113]

@@Oniphius1 NJ is just radioactive

[@reydeguerra2807]

One of my surfing, high school friends vacationing in Kauai, in the 80s, fell in love with a local woman, never came back to California, and is living happly ever after in Kauai.

[@OffGridHawaii]

What a romantic tale of true love! Just in time for Valentine's day 😋🤗💘

[@maryannrusso7565]

My Brother moved from San Francisco to Kauai in the late 80's still there I visited w/my Mother 12/2000 stayed a month Yes it is rugged country and beautiful Ther are many Tourist Attractions Definitely experience a Luau My time there was Transformative

[@laur-unstagenameactuallyca1587]

@Aaron B okay incel. sorry you can't find a decent girl but don't project that on anyone lol

[@Eltopshottah]

That's gonna be me next year

[@Sleepy5.0]

Kauai is magical 🦋💜

[@twstf8905]

My father was killed by Spinal Meningitis, so it ain't no joke, people! Wash your vegetables THOROUGHLY lol especially from your trendy hippie, "organic garden." (As if there's any other kind of personal garden 😂) We live in a little self-sustained community here outside Eugene, Oregon, and parasites can be a huge problem if you don't take at least basic precautions to keep yourself safe and healthy. Edit; (BTW The thief girl is hilariously adorable lol 👍)

[@APPLEKING1]

I lived in Opihikao off grid for 20 years. It wasn't easy living. Lots of rain. The funny thing about rain in Puna. No more water bills. The rain is measured in feet not inches. We learned real quick to not complain so much. There was more things to be thankful for than to complain about. We raised 3 beautiful kids, with no TV. We never had to water our garden. Beautiful sunsets. Fruit that tastes like they should, like Pineapple, mango, etc. The only thing that I could complain about, and the reason we moved to the high desert, was the people that kept moving there. It seemed like all they wanted to do is beat drums, smoke dope, shit in a bucket, and run around naked. I could put up with that for a while, but on top of all the BS they brought with them from what ever part of the Mainland they came from, they could not stop complaining. To get away from that, we moved to the high desert on 140 acres of land. It's cold in the winter, hot in the summer and if you don't water your garden it dies. Not a lot of complaining and crying. Too much work to do and beautiful sunsets to watch.

[@eschrader]

Technically this is complaining 😁

[@brickmason26]

Oregon.. they came from Oregon

[@tiedyehobo]

These people that made this video are the very people your talking about.

[@rrtcad]

Wait, you can not see the sunset from Opihikau, it os on the East Side.

[@christophermeier8329]

...andvthe raindrops are as big as eyeballs

[@kelimutscheller1960]

TRUTH!! Lived in Hawaii for over 20 years, Puna for 13. Just days ago moved back to mainland... won’t miss anything on this list! But I already miss soooo many things about Hawaii 💜💜💜 Pros and cons everywhere 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@chiwawa130]

@zero phantasy Zippys

[@MsLouisVee]

Zippo’s chili spaghetti, barbecue plate with one scoop rice and one scoop macaroni salad.

[@kelimutscheller1960]

L&L and how you can get musubi or manapua at 7-11 😁

[@samuraishonan4706]

You two are the most real KZbinrs I have ever seen. Thank you. I will be in Hawaii again next month but no intention of living there. My nephew does and it is a blast to visit him. I am a mainlander myself but live in Japan and it rocks as well...but not afraid of the lettuce and can walk barefoot and can drink open canned beers anywhere. Aloha...see you next month.

[@KiniAlohaGuy]

Enjoyed your video. Puna is a challenging district, but it's different depending on what parts of Puna you reside. It's the same way all over the Big Island, and neighboring islands. Since Puna is the youngest part of the island, and the most prone to volcanic activity, it is constantly going to change. Life on a Volcano. We sometimes wonder why we have Lava in the living room! However, there are some upsides that I'd like to point out. Because we don't get a lot of services here, our property taxes are lower than other parts of the island. Mainly because many areas in Puna are designated as agriculture, and property taxes are assessed at lower rates. Trash pickup is nonexistence, but when we run into Kea'au town, or Pahoa, the rubbish dump is a easy quick stop. After dropping off the rubbish, you stop by the Kea'au Post Office. It's may take a while to get a PO box, but interacting with the locals working there is part of the island experience. Patience is a virtue here, and being on a first name basis with the locals is a necessary part of integration to this culture. It's growing faster than ever expected. I see too many new arrivals get frustrated and then leave withing a year, or two. They forget we are an isolated island in the middle of the Pacific. We're not the mainland. Electric : You can choose to either live with HELCO, or a mix of solar. However, because we are also windward, solar/wind is problematic during rainy seasons. Batteries, and charging systems, can be expensive. We live on grid, and HELCO has been very reliable. Water catchment is a chore, but it can be easy if you design your system correctly. Plus you can drink your water safely. We have an 8,000 gallon tank, USDA grade liner (white), with black mesh cover. It is filtrated with rope, carbon, UV and a calcite filters. We check the PH in the water every month when we change filters. Calcite balances the PH, removes the acid. We add a cup of bleach to the tank, on occasion when needed, to cut down on algae growth. We use a first flush system to catch any rubbish from the gutters before water moves into the tank. We clean them after every rain fall. In the tank we use nylon foot stockings to filter out any residual dirt that may find it's way into the tank. Be aware that slugs can and will get into the gutters, so a UV filter, and first flush, is a must to prevent slugs from getting into the tank. Doing this will keep the tank very clean, drinkable, and easy to maintain. University of Hawaii Hilo has a booklet on catchment design and maintenance. You can find that at Water Works in Hilo, across from Ken's. Do this and you will never have to buy bottle water again! Highly Recommended! We also have LFA (little fire ants) also, but there is a way to cut down on their growth, because they will get into your house and mess up your electrical systems. The USDA has a two step solution that will help slow down the spread of LFA. A barrier and a sterilization solution that will prevent them from hatching babies. They are invasive species, so they don't belong here anyway, like mosquitoes, rats, and mongoose. The USDA in Hilo has a free class they offer on how to manage LFA. As for veggies! Wash Everything! In KTA, Foodland, and Safeway, they all recommend washing. I don't care if it comes in a plastic package. The mainland has had episodes of listeria and hepatitis-A breakouts. Play it safe, and wash everything. Mold is a problem, especially black mold, try to keep things dry as much as possible. Leather from the mainland will get moldy, but not leather from the tropics. If your furniture was made in the tropics, then it will keep well. Remember that most products are made to mainland standards, and not to environments with high humidity. The guy commenting from Louisiana is right. Except we don't have alligators, but pigs that dig up your crops. Fences do hep keep out pigs and other buggahs that steal stuff. Plastic bags are your friends. Trust me. I have several kinds of salt. I use Ziplock plastic for my kosher salt. I dump it into the bag and tightly seal it. No melting. Same as my Maldon flake sea salt. My Hawaiian 'Alaea sea salt doesn't melt and keeps fine in its original container. Plastic can be reused also. We have saved many plastic bags before they banned them, and we use them for shopping. When they get old, we use them to line our rubbish bins. Those people that come here with idyllic dreams of an island paradise life, are over setting their expectations. Unless you're rich enough to live that lifestyle. Most of us learn new skills to adjust to island life. That can be a rewarding experience to mend a fence, repair an appliance, and keep cantankerous machinery working. The coconut wireless also helps in networking with the right people to help when it's needed. Have a generator handy. An emergency kit. Evacuation kit. After all that, kick back and enjoy island life! Live Local! Aloha!

[@OffGridHawaii]

Aloha thank you for taking the time to write a descriptive and informative comment! 🤙

[@vuaeco]

Wow, that's hella detailed comment. Really appreciate it.

[@Sara-ve7do]

I lived in Hawaiian Acres for 2 years. This video is very accurate. I think there are too many harsh comments on here. I guess everyone just wants to be a Hawaii expert and try to sound so smart picking apart this video. Clearly it is ment for The Big Island of Hawaii and clearly for the Hilo Puna side.

[@absolutetuber]

The Grammar Nazi bit was funny when the Internet first started. Now it’s just old and overused. I’m not going to put a period at the end of this sentence

[@absolutetuber]

look up the definition of grammar. better yet, let me do it for you.Grammar: the whole system and structure of a language.spelling would fall under that. the more you know man....the more you know. have a great dayoops....forgot the period there at the end. this whole reply is just riddled with errors, damn

[@absolutetuber]

so the whole system of a language doesn't include spelling?? lets see...whole is defined as "all of, entire". why on earth would you separate out the particulates of the english language if grammar encompasses "all of" or the "entire" system of the language as its definition states?? keep reaching...

[@absolutetuber]

Ok...sure you do mr frank. You’re so machismo that it gets me all riled. No really, I’m over here like a little school girl....short skirt and all. Tell me more and be sure to talk dirty. Please don’t keep me waiting

[@absolutetuber]

Oh....OH......*OH* .....colloquialism!!!! I love it. Keep it coming!!!

[@MrRickyrecon]

You forgot about a silent night... nothing but coqui frogs. Fun video, you should do one about things you can only do in Hawaii... such as see an active lava flow, go surfing, and play in the snow all in this same day or watch the sunset and meteor shower from 13,900 ft.

[@believeinjesus8300]

Those frogs 🤦🏾‍♂️

[@eacworldart]

So true. I live in Mountain View can have experienced many of the things you mentioned. On a positive note, those hardships are part of what protects the Big Island from over development and becoming like some of the other islands with too many people. Mahalo for your posts.

[@katelyndodge2762]

eacworldart it’s already happening though. As someone whose lives here her whole life. The change in just 10 years is astounding

[@MsLouisVee]

Hey😊I live in Mountain View too! Moved 20 years ago and never looked back 😂

[@OldSchoolIntegrity]

Do they do have Kamahaina rates still?

[@waveriderz]

...living on an island we learn how to be self sufficient and work around things? Life has it's challenges, yes? Hawaii is home and i wouldn't have it any other way!

[@OffGridHawaii]

Exactly! We love it here too 😊

[@jeffhiggins808]

Well said! I live in HPP a few miles from Pahoa. It is very much worth the hardships to live in paradise.

[@whatthefunction9140]

I use local local mail and ship. expensive but convenient. We use soy sauce becuase the sea salt turned to a rock. Our pet chickens have gotten rid of most of our slugs. I got a little electric jackhammer to dig holes. You can borrow it if you want.

[@OffGridHawaii]

Thanks for the tips👍🏽

[@Wotdermatter]

Put packages of silica gel in the salt container to absorb the moisture and stop the salt becoming solid. 'nuf sed

[@mariannesouza8326]

Wotdermatter Or some uncooked rice.

[@dragonflydataV]

I keep salt in a jar that has a seal in the lid. No problem.

[@algallego]

@Ben Humanity has had to deal with pestilence for ages!

[@superkalafragilistic8289]

That thief sure is a tweaker, she carried a whole sink with one papaya in it.

[@uzomarose]

hahahhahaha....

[@lesacallahan808]

Omygoodnezzzzzzz! Funny

[@UhOhitsTrippy]

She's always asking me for a chicken plate

[@suzanneschristie]

Thank you so much for doing this video. I went to Kona in 1991 as a nanny with the family I was working for back then. To say the least, I fell in love. I have romanticized living there for over 25 years. Now I can stop! I could never afford to live where we stayed and I'm way too old to live like you guys. So now I know the other side of living in Hawaii!

[@kimloanf2022]

Thank you for the video, Dream of moving to Hawai when my husband retire…. But watch your video let me know they are a lots of things is not paradise in the island, but reality when you lived there,so Thank you for let us know in advance. 🙏

[@kimoharris808]

Aloha, I am a native Hawaiian, born in Kauai, raised on Oahu and the big island. Family has many of acres in Kalapana including the Queens bath area. I currently live on the mainland and from that perspective I wonder 'why are you still there?" Though your points are well taken from the perspective of the convenience, affordability, and infrastructure afforded in the mainland I humbly ask this question....are the "friends" that have the same complaints also originate from the mainland? There is so much that is "not" included in your video and it creates a self-serving discussion of Hawaii. You're in the country side, did you expect manicured lands, readily available products and services, city like infrastructure? If yes, do you think a move to Hilo, Kona, Wailuku, Lihue, Makakilo, Aina Haina, Pearl City, and so on is worth considering? 1 - Solutions and acceptance, not complaining and laziness 2 - Capture the beauty of everything you have instead of complaining about what you don't have 3 - Respect the environment instead of expecting or wishing it will change. I have witnessed, first hand, the degradation of some of Hawaii's country sides (like Waianae) by people with illusions of what Hawaii is or should be prior to coming there from their city of origin, majority of them on welfare. I have also witnessed that many people from those same cities have played significant roles in the progress of Hawaii as a state. Choosing to live on the island with the only active volcano's wouldn't it be logical that you can't dig a hole thru hardened lava? Wouldn't it be logical that the landscape would constantly change? You can choose "not to be attached" but we gladly attach ourselves to the constant evolution of our lands. Where you see the lost of access to a swimming hole, we see the growth of our island. It is the people of Hawaii, ALL cultures, that perpetuate it's beauty and richness. It is the people of Hawaii that preserves its land and culture. It is the people of Hawaii that run "barefoot" on the black sand beaches of Kalapana like I did. Are you of Hawaii? Or just living there?

[@OffGridHawaii]

Aloha kimo, Thank you for the comment 😊 I can see how some people may think we are complaining and whining in this video but it’s really not that at all. We are just pointing out some of the things people might not know about this area. We get a lot messages from people who have never been to Hawai‘i that want to buy land site unseen and sell everything to move here. We felt it was our duty to at least warn people about some of the challenges. We live here because we love the lifestyle of living off grid, growing our own food, and having beautiful views all around us. 🤙🏽

[@kimoharris808]

@@OffGridHawaii Mahalo for your reply. My impression that you were complaining is that I couldn't find anything positive that was said or written. Thank you for your response. You are factually correct for the most part yet I humbly offer that it could use a broader perspective. Upon moving to the mainland I received these 2 pieces of Aloha ....."Keep your Hawaiian at heart and learn the American way"....."Don't get homesick and run home". I lived by it but it wasn't until years later that I fully appreciated its full meaning. One aspect is to "be OF America, don't just live there". I am Blessed to enjoy all that is America because of this advice. The lifestyle you desire you have found. The challenges you speak of you have found. Be OF Hawaii and the dreams you dream will come true. I know it to be true because I was born into this Blessed lifestyle and it will make you find joy's unique to Hawai'i....My Home...and may it be Yours Malama Pono

[@OffGridHawaii]

That's a beautiful message Kimo, thank you. I suppose we can use the same wisdom here. Keep our American roots but be OF Hawaii and not run away when things get difficult. The challenges we face here actually make living here feel so much more fulfilling. We haven't been here that long, but we hope to stay as long as is destined. Happy to hear you have found your place on the mainland. The mainland could use a lot of Hawaiian aloha, while of course maintaining all the good "American" values.

[@kimoharris808]

@@OffGridHawaii My pleasure. May I add that it seems you are already becoming of Hawaii. Unknowingly you have captured part of the essence and philosophy of living in Hawaii with this sentence you shared... "The challenges we face here actually make living (here) feel so much more fulfilling." I offer that life is fulfilling, wherever you are, with this philosophy. Sharing YOUR wisdom is also a part of being of Hawaii. It'll enhance the lives of many, some you may never meet or know.

[@fitgirlmizmentaldetox4185]

Kimo Harris This video is crap! I'm from an island and is not this bad! They are exaggerating! I don't understand why don't they just go back to their country?

[@richardmorgan1588]

For years I had heard that Hawaii was a better vacation destination than a place to actually live. When I finally visited the Big Island I wondered what all the fuss was about. It seemed a livable place except for being so cut off from the mainland. Of course the Elvis movies don’t tell you the whole story about a place either! Your video has really illustrated why this could never work for me as a place to live! Any one of those reasons by themselves would be enough but together it’s overwhelming! Thank you for putting this together. It’s a real eye opener!

[@1113caligrl]

Richard Morgan We have lived here eight months. House is already up for sale. Not easy to live here.

[@islandfantasy5931]

It's expensive and taxes will kill your life savings. I live here on the big island all my life. Now because of the way things are now I am in the process of moving to Las vegas.

[@siseley1]

@@islandfantasy5931 WOW ! From tropic to desert.....I grew up in Waianae, Nanakuli, and now live in desert near Vegas, I LOVE my desert, but do miss my times on the beach at Kaaina Point, and my friends I grew up with in Barbers point.

[@cosmicdancer6169]

I work part of the year in Kona and the other in the desert near Palm Springs , it’s a stark contrast! It’s a hard place to live but good for the soul 🌺

[@baby_UFO]

1. Mail is delivered in town. Yea it sucks. 2. Your lot isn't developed or landscaped; of course it's sharp ground!. 3. Omg... Bicycles? Really? Do you have a deathwish? This isn't Maui. What will you do when you're 50?....60? 4. If you are going to live offgrid, a good solar system is CRITICAL for good health. Run a de-humidifier an hour every morning and night and the mold will vanish, and your salt will be easier to deal with. 5. Your mold issues are common in Hawaii, but totally avoidable. Your home will need a ceiling to avoin condensation issues. .... 6.1 Rippers are Satanic. 6. Let's get REAL here... there are no rivers, only drainage ditches... full of staph. 7. Growing suff in Hawaii to eat is difficult yes. 8. All those items "grow here". You just need dirt. 9. LMAO ... yep. 10. Lol... you chose to live in lava zone 1; go to zone 3 and you won't have this problem. 10.1 Your friends are leaving because you chose a very difficult spot. Lower Puna is well nown as the ghetto of Hawaii. Come uphill a bit and leave the mosquitos behind! I also started here on a bare lot... You can make it work!

[@OffGridHawaii]

1. First world problems lol 2. I walked on the lawns through beautiful lilikoulani garden barefoot once, and got bit by fire ants. 3. There’s tons of beautiful roads to ride bicycles on throughout the island, lots of scenic climbs. We specified commuting as being difficult because of unpredictable weather and small shoulders on the highway. Hence the reason we also have cars, not only bikes. 4. Were hoping to just adapt, but do plan to overtime get lots more solar power to run more things. 5. Been wanting to make a roof above the container but can’t decide if we wanna keep it in the location it’s at. Stay tuned ;) Thieves are possessed by evil demons for sure. 7. Overcoming the difficulties and challenges is worth the results 🍌 8. And proper elevation/micro climates 9. 🙃 10. We don’t live on lava zone 1 🌋 We grew up in the ghetto areas in northeastern United States... just trying to keep it consistent lol. Eventually we would love to live in the northeast part of big island though.

[@Foodie_888]

DevRam R LOL.

[@OffGridHawaii]

We are not experts in mold.. but ventilation is key to keeping it at bay

[@Shitfuckt]

​@@OffGridHawaii fellow Philadelphian?

[@RagingHeartOn]

I had to give a like for the reenactment shots

[@microdesigns2000]

Me too, those little example clips really made this video.

[@Jahmastasunherbalist]

Loved it!

[@VolcanoEarth]

....stealing the kitchen sink! :D

[@rwdyer2263]

Haha loved the sneaky bandit!

[@susanmathis1682]

Loved me!!!

[@966Mako]

Sounds wonderful, can't walk barefoot, can't leave property unattended, can't use natural waterways, can't get mail, have to eat imported fruit & veg, can't expect people to be there tomorrow & you might lose everything to a volcano. Booking my ticket now 😄

[@OffGridHawaii]

You can walk barefoot if you build up your feet tolerance. You can leave property unattended and lock it and have good neighbors. You can use natural waterways just don’t go swimming without knowing where you’re getting into. You can get mail delivered to a P.O. box or a friends house, or general delivery. You can eat local fruits and vegetables just make sure there are no slugs or slug slime on them. You can’t expect people to be anywhere tomorrow, anywhere. You might lose everything to a volcano if you live within the active lava zones and you don’t evacuate your things in time. 🤪

[@busterfrysinger5965]

Keep in mind you can make a video like this wherever you go. Focus on the good. Tough it up. Solve each challenge. Lucky to live here.

[@jimb3900]

Yeah, it was only 10 things. Where is your list of positive things? Keep your chin up!

[@fatboy19831]

@@jimb3900 duh..........Hawaii .

[@joesoutdoorplaces]

Except for spotty mail delivery, Louisiana shares many things with y'all, very bad roads, fire ants, mold, drug addicts stealing, flesh eating bacteria in the water. I am glad that I do not live near a volcano that can cover everything I own with molten lava. A good followup may be 10 things you can do in Hawaii you cannot do elsewhere. As always, a very interesting video. Love hearing from y'all. Take care.

[@OffGridHawaii]

lol that’s funny to hear! Thank you for the support!!

[@hkozib]

My favorite thing was the brain eating amebias! Luckily they could only enter through having water up the nose..

[@mark98115]

Hayley Koz what if the person does not have a functional brain?

[@OffGridHawaii]

🐛

[@ladykiri42]

Our volcano is not an exploding one. It's been oozing lava for nearly 30 years, but has stopped after the recent flow into Leilani Estates, and surrounding area. Also, where those homes were was a Class 1 Lava district.. can't get insurance much there, and you know that probably within 30-40 years you will see damage from lava. Previous lava flow there wasn't all that long ago. Don't buy in a class 1 area! BTW the 'receive no mail from Post Office' is not spotty, it's non-existent, unless you're a business in one of the 2-3 cities on island. Anything important that we get through the mail, we use FedEx, because UPS has a deal with the Post Offices that they can shift a package from UPS to PO, which means you may never get it at all, because you put a house address on for UPS, then the PO doesn't know where that is, has no idea who you are, etc.

[@cayenneangel]

So true! Although two years later the traffic, people, and congestion have ruined Hawaii and our aloha. Sick of people trying to live “off the grid” here. Yet you’re charging your phone at coffee shops, doing laundry at the laundry mat, buying groceries that come in on a barge, shitting your waste into the land, driving cars, ETC. Stay in the mainland and save yourself two years of spending all your money to try and hack it in Hawai’i just to want to leave when you could be advancing your homestead on the mainland and growing all kinds of amazing things on a dryer and flatter piece of land.

[@Maedelrosen]

If only. Have to know someone to get off the rock. Plenty of land in missouri id love to look at, dont have 1k a month to waste away on rent to check it out.

[@lealovesthesea]

Someone sound bitter.

[@patmcbride9853]

Sounds like there is an opportunity for someone to open a mailbox store there.

[@OffGridHawaii]

💡🧠

[@billw3571]

@@OffGridHawaii There is one right by the post office in Keaau.

[@grandmalovesmebest]

Pat McBride Go to it!

[@Momzie808]

And there is several in Hilo, people use general delivery because it’s free

[@OffGridHawaii]

Absolutely general delivery is an option if you're expecting something and don't mind checking at the post office regularly. 🙂

[@victoriaobrien3132]

Great video Peter. Good to be reminded of the amazing reasons living in Hawaii is so great!

[@denyboy15]

What is it like as of now for driving thru the area of lava flow? Do new roads get built quickly? Were planning to visit big island in may..

[@OffGridHawaii]

The "red" road that connect to pohoiki was rebuilt and people can drive on it fine from kalapana to pohoiki. However, the intersection at four corners that connects to Kapoho is still covered in a lot of unpassable lava. Also, pohoiki road to Leilani estates is impassable and much of Leilani estates is obviously off limits to nonresidents. Other than that pretty much the rest of the island is just the same as before. 🤙

[@OffGridHawaii]

Can still access Kapoho via the government road along the coast.

[@George-pw7md]

I spent my first 12 years of life on that side of the Big Island. I lived in Hilo, Fern Acres, Hawaiian Acres and Kurtistown. This video is a great reminder as to why I'll never move back. I'll visit periodically but I'll never move back.

[@christysmith5211]

I’m living in Hilo now.. going on year 4.

[@jasonlawrence2143]

I once had a salt candle holder. Though Michigan may cold in winter the same thing can occur during heat waves in the great lakes region. It becomes very humid here as well.

[@OffGridHawaii]

💦

[@420FlowerPower]

The worst humidity I’ve ever experienced hotter than Texas in my opinion. Lol

[@KatrinaAune]

VACUUM SEALING IS YOUR FRIEND. KEEP LINENS AND SUCH ABLE TO AIR OUT OR NOT TOUCH THE AIR AT ALL.

[@mrbosco541]

Hands down the most helpful insightful cons list i have ever seen! Thank you!!

[@handimanjay6642]

White vinegar is an excellent all purpose cleaner disinfectant. Works great to kill and clean mold, Add to laundry for the same purpose. Can be used to rinse fruits and veggies with little or no effect to flavor. Salt is a natural dehumidifier, put about a gallon in a burlap or cloth bag and hang in areas you want to keep dry, place a plastic pan under it because it will drop. A friend uses this in his lady’s closet in Hilo to keep her dresses dry. The water can be used as a natural weed controller and slug repellent poured or sprayed where needed. Get plastic camping salt shakers with flip top lids for salt and spices. Damp spices can be dried by pouring them into a warm, not hot, pan then put into camp shakers while still warm. A Big Island bus pass costs like $60 a month.

[@AndrewMeidenbauer]

Love the re-enactments. Reminds me of the frustrated people in infomercials. The barefoot thing bums me out. Love tooling around in my bare feet. Great vid. I like hearing the truth (good & bad) about “paradise”. All the best.

[@OffGridHawaii]

Yes! Infomercial. That’s what we were going for! Thank you Andrew for your support!

[@OffGridHawaii]

The barefoot thing can vary from person to person though. You could definitely build up the tough skin on the feet to withstand the harshness of the terrain. If there’s a will there’s a way! A painful way...

[@TheDeadbone1961]

Well done! Especially the "thief" stealing coconuts and the attempt to dig a hole in the ground. Well crafted and edited :)

[@Vesparado]

I guess if I moved to the Puna area I'd feel the same way about this island. But I moved to the sunny side (Kealakekua) and have no intention to ever leave this place. I'd love to see your top 10 reasons you stay here. I know a few of mine are the delicious tropical fruits, some of which you cannot find anywhere else! And the glorious clear, warm ocean water all year round! Nothing beats playing on the white sand beaches here. And mostly the aloha spirit here is so amazing. I'm feeling the love of The Big Island every day, and so happy I traded in Seattle for the island life.

[@stevejeffrey11]

Thats a beautiful part of the island go swimming with the spinner dolphins xD

[@idowanna837]

Will the snails get into raised vegetable gardens? Also are the majority of the things you're referring to across all the islands or just the island you're on?

[@OffGridHawaii]

We dont have much experience with the other islands so couldn't say if it's the same, but probably not.

[@yesseniaalonso3533]

Aloha to one of my favorite down to earth couples!! just visited oahu for a little over a week and fell in love! Oahu is very different than the big island but in all the best ways. already love the sea life and island life but that trip basically made me realize that’s how i want to live. Thanks you guys for sharing all your knowledge about life there. maybe i’ll see you there in my own tiny house some day... hint hint ❤️

[@OffGridHawaii]

Aloha! Glad you experienced the beauty Oahu has to offer :)

[@f.w.1318]

I'm glad saw this, we are traveling this summer to see some land in Mountain view, it just maybe a vacation now, also have you tried raised gardens ? I live in Texas, used to live by coast and could not grow anything until I tried raised gardens, good luck thanks for the video.

[@mandy8211]

The reason you are told not to swim in the rivers and streams is because of the open sewage systems, yes, cesspools, that cover the rainy side of the island. It rains 132 inches on average and if it has a big downpour, those same cesspools overflow and down river it goes. Rainbow falls turns into sludge falls.

[@pashaveres4629]

I moved to Puna in 2012 - from the Wash, DC area... what a difference! Everything you said in the video is right on and I learned those things over time. My mailbox wait (Pahoa) was closer to six months. You mentioned the mold in the car - also fire ants if you leave it parked in one spot AND the roaches! lol. Is it a hoyhoy trap? It'll fill up quick! I never got to have a garden because of the marauding pigs - though I did harvest a few of them. The pigs are a terror to all your growing things. Regular white mushrooms are like $8/pound. Many crazy people live in Puna. I am more than happy to call it home. Really enjoyed the vid and subbed. Mahalo. p.s. oh yeah! Shower with the catchment - drink county water. Uncle Robert's for "night life".

[@SsgChrisWells]

Uncle Robert still around?

[@pashaveres4629]

@@SsgChrisWells As I recall, Uncle Robert passed several years ago. :(

[@richardkremmen7811]

Nice of you two to offer this helpful info. I've lived here for the past 33 years (Hilo and Kau). Ya know at the health food stores, especially Isle Nat, Ab Life and a lot in Safeway now they have some decent mainland organic produce. Target and Safeway and Cost u Less usually have frozen organic berries- strawberries and blueberries. Some local stuff too in the health food stores that they claim is organic- lemons, limes, bananas, papayas. I bike all the time but with good (quick dry) rain clothes. I've had rat lung x2 and yeah, it's gnarly! To me though it just presented as extreme sensitivity to touch- the slightest bump or scrape was excruciating! Now I peruse each leaf of everything from my garden to make sure of no slug or slug slime. Best to you!

[@kevinlong400]

Hi Paulina!! We were at the zipline tour with you last August and you had to rescue my wife Amy a couple of times. Lol. You were so cool. I made my kids come watch this video and it gave them a big smile. Cool to see your guys video and hearing the tips about the island. We wish you the best. Regards, Long Family.

[@OffGridHawaii]

😊 aw thank you. Hope you're all faring well during these turbulent times 🌞 the zipline is closed now indefinitely so it's nice being reminded of the good ol times 🌞

[@kevinlong400]

OffGridHawaii That’s too bad. I hope you’re doing well and hanging in there yourself during these times. All things considering, being quarantined in Hawai’i is a heck of a lot better than in Oregon (rainy, cold, windy and chances of hail). Lol. Take care! 😃

[@hawaiibound1907]

I have been living on Oahu for 2 years now. I absolutely love Hawai’i. I think this video pertains mostly to the big island. I love the culture and how slow paced it is here.

[@untitledtruths]

Thats why its about Puna

[@hawaiibound1907]

Bernadette Keane yes, but some people don’t know that. I was trying to help others that never been to Hawaii understand that all of Hawaii is not like this.

[@untitledtruths]

Oh sorry the title says Big Island

[@hawaiibound1907]

Bernadette Keane your right it does. I clearly said it mostly pertains to the big island. I wasn’t being sarcastic or putting this video down. I was expressing how I love Hawaii and the culture.

[@untitledtruths]

Im on Big Island

[@TMiller808]

Ha ha so true . I live nearby -when I’m there, that is! I’m on mainland back & forth a lot. I go to SAME post office you showed and share P.O. Box with 3 other adults -all friends. I’m off grid in tiny house in Eden Roc in Mountain View way up about 1800 feet above sea level so it’s COLD on clear nights !!!!! Mold is major issue for me and I have mycotoxicity. Warning-don’t breath in the mold. I could go on and on lol thanks for this video . My mom showed me, now she’s more scared of me living there lol. Oh well! I’m making it work. Good on you guys for making honest account. I subscribed and set for notifications. Glad mom found you and shared with me. Awesome!

[@OffGridHawaii]

Thanks for subbing! 🤙🌈

[@arlenestannard9306]

Yes its good to laugh and its funny!!! I've lived here a year and a half now just saw rice in a salt shaker and was so excited to see what a great idea!! We are very frustrated with the"Tweakers" that are stealing everything we have cameras,dogs and fences with gates now. I wish the police could be a little more helpful. Mahalo and Aloha!!!

[@OffGridHawaii]

Oh wow. that sucks about the thieves

[@gregh7457]

police reports from nixle really are an eye opener. I'm on the kona side and am glad i'm not on the hilo side. Most of the crime is over on that side. local.nixle.com/hawaii-police-department subscribe here and it gives you a heads up on the latest crime spree's

[@islandfantasy5931]

@@gregh7457 Stay safe in kona bro

[@islandfantasy5931]

Yea I live by nanawale and the tweakers are getting brave. Luckily I have my dog and monster boar in my fenced yard. They aren't afraid of my Pit when she is solo. When they see my piggy they bounce. I also have to worry about hunters trying to steal my piggy. I recently had to pull out my AR 15 because hunters tried to take my pig. I haven't seen them since

[@goldenshepherd9858]

Arlene Stannard that’s what happens when you have crazy DemoRATS like hirono running your beautiful Island

[@franspeake4638]

I really enjoyed your video and after living there for 3 years from 2013 to 2016 I have to agree with 99% of what you said, especially the healing part. I do think most people that come there with the intention of living there find their healing there and are able to come back to the mainland and live amongst the areas where the trauma and/or hurt took place, and live a much healthier life with strong boundaries, true inner peace and happiness.

[@moniayoung3050]

This was awesome guys! My fav Live- in- Hawaii vids!

[@spaceystacey9963]

Thanks for sharing, a lot of people don’t realize the down sides. I considered them but I think it’s still worth it

[@Whisperwomaneq2]

I lived in Keaau but had to get a PO in Pahoa. The salt water in the air also destroys everything as well. Even electrical sockets will die out within a couple of years because of the salt water. Anything metal will get pitted and rust. Light fixtures, stereo equipment, cars, kitchen appliances.

[@OffGridHawaii]

Yeah I guess we can't be too salty that we dont have beach front property 😏😅 no pun intended

[@lovinaokoronkwo7149]

Is Keaau similar to Pahoa or is it totally different like living conditions and all? I know this post is old but I’m curious

[@OffGridHawaii]

I think they share more similarities than differences for sure in terms of living conditions. But then again places within pahoa or within Keaau can differ greatly from each other. Nothing is uniform. We tend to spend more time in Keaau for “errands”. Pahoa has visibly more “hippies” and people who “aren’t all there” mentally. Keaau seems to have more families and locals or kanaka. Both towns are pretty cool and have their unique characteristics.

[@lovinaokoronkwo7149]

@@OffGridHawaii Thank you chica!!! This is really helpful. I’m planning on coming out to Hawaii to stay for at least a full week, and I am trying to decide what part I’d like to visit

[@jamiesweitzer8469]

Having lived in FernForest 2011-2019, this was funny & very accurate. I loved the end where you guys wandered the quality...it was perfect!

[@Prayer_Mountain_Minis]

It's sounds a whole lot like the forests in Arkansas where I live....trees fall all the time...can't hardly dig...we have slugs the size of a baby's arm... landslides are common.. hardly no one that moves here stays for more than a year. My salt lamp turned into a salt lake in less than a month. It's actually kinda comforting to know it happens other places too. I know that's weird. I can't have any good wooden furniture because the mold will take it. The good news is I love it all and have been here living with the joys of wild living so long I cannot imagine anything else! So glad you have each other. You are a beautiful couple! Thanks for the video!

[@dirtydinner2432]

Baylor Berry Arkansas is my favorite state. Specifically the Northwest part of the state.

[@Prayer_Mountain_Minis]

@@dirtydinner2432 Living in North Central Arkansas and yes this is a gorgeous state. I am 17 years off the grid here and have been living without electricity for over 30 years. Definitely has been an unusual life choice but it all goes back to what was good for my grandmother is good for me. Don't go to "doctors". Take no prescription drugs. I gather herbs for any medical problems that may arise. It's a wonderful world if people just let it be that!😀

[@Marinaaduran]

I lived in Puna and swam in all the rivers and waterfalls, everyone did. You just have to make sure you don't have any cuts on yu and you have to clean your cuts and scrapes immediately with alcohol and cover it and you're good. You can eat the lettuce of you put it in a bowl with water and salt. The salt with kill the slugs and they'll gloat to the top. Then you clean with water and vinegar. Wash all fruits and veg before you eat. We walked barefoot everywhere, your feet get tough and used to the terrain. And many of my friends biked the entire island no problem. I think a lot of these things are very personal preference and choice for the two of you.

[@OffGridHawaii]

We do all of these things too, well except take the time to wash lettuce

[@Marinaaduran]

@@OffGridHawaii I feel you

[@stephaniehamakawa9178]

💀 The theft reenactment was life. 😂🤣😭😁

[@OffGridHawaii]

We watched it a least ten times and laughed every time! 😂

[@mrc6182]

Lived in Hilo for three years and know EXACTLY what you're talking about. I finally got enough of the daily rainfall and the smell of wood rot and decay and the cost of living (and the "indigenous people" who never let me forget I was an outsider!) and moved back to the Mainland.

[@OffGridHawaii]

Yeah living here from the main land isn't for every one. It's good to find a place on this Earth where you feel welcome or at home. Sometimes it's all just a mentality. Especially for those of us who never seem to quite feel like we belong in any particular place more than another. It's different for everyone I suppose.

[@kathleenmuchka2559]

With the Indigenous population; please realize that the Islands were stolen from them (as is the case with all Indigenous Tribes in the USA) and basically they cannot afford to buy in the Islands themselves. They were never given Reservation land, nothing. There is a waiting list to allow them to buy property but you must be 50% Indigenous and these waiting lists are 20 to 30 years long. By time they are "allowed" to buy property they do not have long to live and you are not allowed to allow your children to inherit unless they are 50% or greater also. I cannot blame them for being bitter.

[@jayknowsmetric4171]

@@kathleenmuchka2559 🤦🏼‍♂️ Hawaii was never gonna be defended with spears and fire. If the USA didn't own it, another country would. Also, there's no waiting list to "buy" Hawaiian land. You can get on zillow right now and buy whatever you want, you really found a fancy way to say y'all broke. 😏

[@JamunaJivanadas]

What an awesome video! Wow! Thanks for making. I had no idea about them! I've been to the Big Island a few times and have been specifically to the Kahena/Kolapana areas. Both areas which have been affected by the latest volcanic eruptions :( I'd have to say #10 isn't SO bad. I think of the Buddha quote, "The root of suffering is attachment". And I understand that the Island Goddess Pele makes it so - constantly transforming and creating. However, I also understand the human need to connect with others, so there's that... My question is: Is this the case on all parts of the Big I? Also, how about other Islands in the chain? I'm thinking of Kauai specially. Thanks again - super cool video :) Geof

[@OffGridHawaii]

Thanks for the comment! Are you asking about everything we listed on this video? Certain things may apply to other parts of the other islands, but honestly everything varies greatly even through big island and it even depends on people's own personal experience. It's better to just experience a place for yourself to make a judgement on it. If you're just talking about the active volcanic activity it only primarily applies to the southern/east sides of the big island. The other islands have no active volcanoes :)

[@ciao614]

No a/c off grid to protect from mold?

[@nathanrogers8713]

Dehumidifier would be a good option. A/C is not necessary when the temperatures average 72 F +/- 5 degrees year round. Hilo in particular has the lowest annual temperature swing of any place in the entire country.

[@Edward-rg8mh]

The reason I like your video, it will keep people from moving here, Aloha

[@patrickpadilla2033]

I wanted to move to Hawaii permanently you're the second video I've just seen of saying how bad it is in Hawaii I was already against moving because of the state tax income tax so thank you I don't even feel like visiting Hawaii now thank you very much and that's for telling the truth !

[@OffGridHawaii]

Hawaii is a beautiful island but there’s certainly lots of tension and drama. Especially now, very little aloha and tolerance for visitors from certain people. The economy is tanking and everyone is feeling it.

[@patrickkemp8047]

These ten things are not a reason to avoid visiting or moving to Hawai’i, they are common sense things to consider in the island life. the same list probably exists for any location in the tropics. You are correct though, if you see the list and it sounds horrible, then Hawai’i or any remote island is not for you.

[@patrickkemp8047]

These ten things are not a reason to avoid visiting or moving to Hawai’i, they are common sense things to consider in the island life. the same list probably exists for any location in the tropics. You are correct though, if you see the list and it sounds horrible, then Hawai’i or any remote island is not for you.

[@wannabetowasabe]

I was never one to dream of living in a tropical environment due to the affect of humidity. I have a hard time envisioning living in it, even where it is lower than where you live. My wife and I traveled to the Big Island 27 years ago for our honeymoon and stayed on the drier side of the island in Kona (typical honeymoon location, huh?). The humidity had a great effect on us as we live in a high elevation mountain town that has very little humidity. I love watching how you present the difficulties of living in it as I can then vicariously experience it!

[@ggstatertots]

I live on the Northern California coast, and I was surprised that the town of Waimea on the Big Island had a similar chillier climate like where I live. It's a lot of grassland and rolling hills and cattle farms, but it had a wind chill and even fog. The Big Island is so cool because there's so many different climates.

[@pete1853]

Maybe it was the vog that affected you in Kona, as opposed to the humidity? Hard to tell, I suppose, as they are both prevalent.

[@wannabetowasabe]

@@pete1853 Do you mean the fog? No that stuff was up about mid slope on the island and never went away. We didn't' want to get near it. It was the humidity and we were so hot on the beach one night I could not wait to get back to the condo and lay under the air conditioner. I don't think I've been hotter in my life.

[@sidjtd]

The Vog Is why I would be worried about living Kona side!!!!

[@turiddudegaetano8725]

I was born in mountain view in 1955. There were 4 in my grammar school graduation and other elementary school was not built yet. What you say is all true but I was laughing because it sounds like a propaganda video to stop more folks from moving there. I am living both in NYC and still have property over on hualalai these days. Many thanks!

[@stevenate1174]

What a great video. You two are awesome!!! Was in Hilo a couple of weeks ago fell in love but paradise always has a price.

[@HiSkippy]

Are you two homesteading in Puna? How did you all start your research on where to move? Is Puna affordable to live in? Thank you for sharing.

[@OffGridHawaii]

The research began by visiting the island for a total of one month and travelling around and talking to friends and a realtor

[@robertness3444]

I lived in puna hawaii for 30yrs to be honest it sucks in every way it is not paradise thats a lie to get people to come so they can con their money out of them.

[@OffGridHawaii]

Yeah things could get pretty bad on Puna side. I’m surprised you lived there unhappily for 30 whole years... there must’ve been something that kept you at least a little bit happy, no?

[@changinhi]

bud's

[@russp7490]

Then why ur still living there? 30 years n counting lol....

[@AlohaNuiBlessings]

I lived in lower Puna for 14 years and would not have left if I weren't coming to the mains for grad school. Absolutely paradise. But to each their own.

[@davidgraf1594]

Y

[@primordialmeow7249]

Volcano evacuee here! Leilani Estates. I am glad to be back on Mainland, but I hold my 2 years in Puna in my heart🌺💕

[@OffGridHawaii]

Aloha glad you found a safe place to evacuate to 💚

[@leianalei6340]

The pele purge of the haoles

[@islandfantasy5931]

@@leianalei6340 Shame on you! I'm black and part Kanaka maoli. My ohana is from Kaimu. Kealoha is my grandmother's maiden name. My mother married a popolo. If you ain't 100% Kanaka maoli. You are part ha'ole yourself.

[@VangelisFilms]

I’m looking to move, been to Oahu but never the Big Island. Love the mountains and rainforests of Oahu, but way too many people and tourists. Trying to find a happy medium between being a hermit and a socialite. Big Island Hilo side good option?

[@robertdress6743]

Aloha! Thanks for this video! I spent a month visiting with a close friend in Pahoa and experienced so many layers of beauty including the Kilauea volcano eruption following a series of earthquakes. At first, it was difficult to get sleep with the frogs, roosters sounding off at 3 am, and some lady who decided to warm up her car in the middle of the night because you know, it's Hawaii. With in a few days, these sounds became hypnotic not to mention the sound of rain drops on metal roofs. Tranquility. Higher elevation the air is cooler, and dryer. Wondering if my mac desk top mac would need to be in a room with AC and or a dehumidifier. Peace

[@cosmicdancer6169]

I went to Pahoa and I loved it, I’ll never forget the scene of the main street through town with the leopard mural and I was trippin when I heard someone playing a beautiful harp at the saloon, I think at that point I went into a hypnotic trance lol ✌️

[@kdmour]

Planning to move there soon and I'm okay with everything on your list.. thanks for the informative video

[@harryshigeura3892]

Born and raised here, and really enjoyed your vid !!!

[@justabigbaby]

Really that's cool. Informative, honest and heartfelt. Thanks and God bless you both.

[@alaskatrac]

Thanks for your informative video that really helped me, a resident of northern Alaska, realize that Hawaii is not the perfect paradise that I envision in my dreams. I had never heard of the rat lung slug cycle that can affect lettuce even though I've visited the big island a couple times. So from a subscriber WAY up North, best wishes and may God bless you. Arctic Circle Dave

[@David-vn2id]

I lived in Maui for 13 years and it is completely different there. This video is only describing an area on the Big Island of Hawaii or what locals call Hawaii. Maui is magic and an amazing paradise with none of problems listed above.

[@lynnemarie1249]

Wow! Thank you so much -- this eye-opening video cured me of my jealousy toward anyone with a Hawaii address!

[@OffGridHawaii]

Well the ones with addresses probably get mailed delivered to their house hahah

[@gregh7457]

Lynn, the only ones you should be jealous of is the ones that live in the gated resort communities. Living paycheck to paycheck in a moldy jungle with tweakers isn't living

[@Krylovix]

If you kept a dehumidifier running how would that help out?

[@OffGridHawaii]

It would be very helpful but does take extra electricity

[@Krylovix]

@@OffGridHawaii are you using solar so you have to manage usage?

[@OffGridHawaii]

Yes ☀️

[@shukribeseiso]

Appreciate the insight. Helpful to know and kind of you to share. Have been considering buying land and building a simple home in Hawaii. Yet, only been to Maui, and once. Yet, likely to visit Hawaii, and other islands, this year to see which island makes sense economically and is the most habitable naturally. Ideal would be to have spring water and wild food I can forage. I primarily eat simple vegan, and enjoy a simple, carefree life.

[@michelleannvincent7713]

Gosh, paradise sounds great! Where do I sign up?

[@jesusv.5828]

Love the work you are doing with this videos guys . I have a suggestion to grow your lettuce and other greens without having to worry about those pesky slugs or snails you can grow them in tall containers just wrap copper tape around the container , they can't tolerate copper at all .Good luck

[@oxxnarrdflame8865]

I take it you don’t work for the local chamber of commerce. 😊 Interesting video, good job.

[@msudlow1928]

We've only lived here a year, but have experienced almost everything on your list already. Thanks for sharing.

[@hugostiglitz47]

Great video. I'm one of those friends that go visit and leave you guys sad hehe, I've visited the big island 3 times in 3 years and I love that place but I never think of it as a place to live. Thank you for the video, good job with the reenactments! Aloha!

[@OffGridHawaii]

How could you leave??? 😭😭 Haha thank you glad u appreciate this video and the silly humor we instilled in the reenactments

[@philipfreeman72]

Some true in all tropics. Love joy peace wealth & abundance from Thailand .

[@frankwolf3860]

Hey, you forgot: you can't catch a Greyhound Bus either.

[@OffGridHawaii]

But you can catch the hoppa on hoppa off 😊

[@o0SingingInTheRain0o]

Your videos make me so homesick. Even a lot these “problems” of living on the big island, I never thought of them as issues until I moved away to the mainland for school and got used to a different life. (Though there’s a lot I truly miss). Then again I grew up in Hilo so the theft is nowhere as bad thankfully. My younger self would definitely say the worse part of living there was the slow encroachment of the coqui frogs. You can tune out the masses that are there now but just having one or two right outside your window... you couldn’t fall asleep.

[@stevejeffrey11]

They were so loud I had earmuffs over ear plugs haha!

[@jahmallajaima]

Think you got it backwards. Hard to tune out da masses but one or two coquis is fine and nice to hear.

[@justcallmemama91]

@@jahmallajaima nah is true what they say when you get one or two nearby that shit is loud. The chirping choir of thousands is more like background noise.

[@MelindaGreen]

What do you recommend for transplants looking to make friends.

[@OffGridHawaii]

I made friends through my job as a zip guide. So maybe get into a job that you’ll meet others who share similar interests. Also, depending what kinda friends you’re looking for go to community gatherings such as ecstatic dances or planting workshops ... be friendly and open to meet new people 😀

[@MelindaGreen]

@@OffGridHawaii Makes sense., thanks.

[@davepartlow6430]

Nice video, I'm commenting two years after your posting, and agree with what you've stated. We've lived here 15 years now, in the Acres. Two years in a tent under tarps before building and moving into our home. Been off grid the hole time. Every hole I've put in has been with a hammer drill and chisel. Things have changed here a lot in that amount of time, traffic has gotten worse, and the coqui frogs! Where you here before they arrived? Getting UPS deliveries by pole number. But we are progressing. Actually have a street address, but alas, still no postal service. Oh, and you didn't mention the rust. Everything here either molds, corrodes or rusts away. Hope you're still here and having fun.

[@jonfrom827]

This is actually pretty goodreal world advice. Glad you mentioned rat lung worm.

[@BibleRick]

I think you guys are an adorable couple !!! I in 1976 joined the army to get to Hawai'i to surf Pipeline and other surf breaks ! Landed on the Big Island in 1981 and Literally started crying (before I left the airport in Kona) feeling as if I had found Home !!! I didn't feel that on the other island's !!! Big Island mo Bettah. !!! Thank you for your honest evaluation of Big Island / Puna, you are Spot on !!!

[@OffGridHawaii]

Yes we felt the same thing when we landed 🛬. It must have been way different back then.

[@420FlowerPower]

We’ve been going to Kauai a lot for a decade, love it so much. Going to Big Island first time in May. What is it about Big Island you didn’t feel on Kauai? Just curious....guess I’ll find out soon. Omg 🌋🤙😍

[@lianenewcomb7869]

I think most of your experiences living offgrid can happen anywhere in the world . . . not only in Puna, Hawai'i. Water safety is always a priority as well as food processing. My experience growing up on the Big Island 40+ years ago is so different from all that you shared. Fruits and veggies were so abundant, people were respectful and looked out for each other, life was simple and as to the attachment comment it seems to be a generational perspective. It's good that you shared your experiences so others can be informed of how it really can be like.

[@KNBARON]

everything was nice before ice hit the islands

[@mitaalqahtani]

Things have changed. As does everything.

[@jessiefawn2797]

I found your information VERY HELPFUL. THANK YOU.

[@buckw65]

Very informative. Thanks so much for putting that together.

[@daiiahi3403]

Yes, living in Puna is not for everyone. Like living off the grid so be prepared to be living creative, improvisational life.

[@calcham1]

I love these kinds of stories, though I have no intention of ever living in Hawaii. There must be a lot of very good reasons to live there since there seems to be a bunch of reasons not to. If it's so expensive to live in Hawaii, there has to be a reason for it, and I doubt that it's a desirable place to be only because of the weather. Thanks for posting this video.

[@JSKCKNIT]

You guys had me laughing with the reenactments! It was nice seeing everything. I miss it there (a little!)

[@OffGridHawaii]

😂😂🤙🏽

[@LesD9]

This must be the biggest 'half-empty' glass I've ever come across. When we first visited many of the islands over 20 years ago it took only 5 minutes to find out it rains most of the time on the east coast of Big Island. So we stayed near Kona. Many of these 'things you can't do' are a function of the humidity. Just look around you at the beauty that brings.

[@OffGridHawaii]

Yes we prefer the rain and everything it brings that’s why we live on this side 😊

[@ilivelovelaugheveryday6308]

Very true (we live here too)... one more thing you can’t do: assume you can work only one job! Often not only are two adults working, but they may work multiple jobs...

[@GoGoOpie]

Depends on how much you make at the one job.

[@TheMysticAbode]

Rat lung is serious but there is a lot of misinformation surrounding it (slime is not truly dangerous). We can totally eat lettuce from our garden! Tips to prevent slugs is using epsom salt, diatomaceous earth, raised beds, copper linings, wood mulch, sandust, IMOs, sea salt spray, etc. Either way we should wash our veggies and greens or grow them in sealed green houses! I know of a farmer in mountain view who does that. (: Aloha

[@ladykiri42]

Good comments. We always wash off anything from the garden anyway. There used to be a spray that we could buy here, but can't get now called Veggie Wash. That really cleaned fruits and veggies very well. The slugs that are so prevalent here don't mind the sea salt, and are pretty clearly able to live with it.

[@ninasalian6199]

Half rubbing alcohol and half water spray ! It kills most of the bugs too

[@stephaniehamakawa9178]

The kitchen sink didn’t stand a chance. 💀😂

[@OffGridHawaii]

Haha no way!!

[@deannavp2253]

What do you think about Nevada?

[@bamslerc]

Aloha. I enjoyed your video. I found your comments at the end about how the island sends you on your way after a while interesting. And I have heard that. I fell in love with the Big Island in 2006 during my first visit there. I am now hoping and planning to move there and hoping it will be my new "forever home". I am older than you all, and hoping to finish my story there. I hope the island doesn't send me on my way after a short period! But then again I have heard that she has her ways of welcoming (or not) people who come to her.

[@a.aesthetic4177]

you guys just gotta get used to Hawaii and live with the fact that Hawaii is way different then living in the Mainland.

[@tomfrazier1103]

And Puna even more so.

[@stevejeffrey11]

A lot of drugs in Puna

[@seanbeck3042]

Troubles in paradise.

[@peterpaulveseskis8660]

America is America and Hawai'i is Hawai'i. Don't comparison them. And don't say:. We don't do it that way back home. It's considered an insult to the local culture. A hui hou!

[@pipper70]

With over a thousand comments, I'm sure mine will get lost but I wanted to add a few. I lived in the Hilo area for 7 years starting in Papaikou, just North of Hilo and the last 5 years in Mountain View which is about 15 miles South of Hilo near Volcano's National Park. I would agree with most of the things shared here, especially trying to walk barefooted anywhere on the island. I might add, don't go for a walk longer than 15 minutes without taking an umbrella or you'll come back soaking wet. Just because the Big Island has several banana plantations doesn't mean bananas will be cheaper because their not. I did get our Mountain View house burglarized when the thief took a few valuable items. Just because you live in a rural area like Puna doesn't mean you'll have peace and quite because there will always be someone with fighting chickens tethered in their yard that will go off all hours of the night, especially in the very early hours of the morning. That said, The Big Island is still a special place to live and you can find happiness once you fit in. Bottom line is: don't move there and try to change things, just try to fit in.

[@OffGridHawaii]

We read all the comments. Thanks for commenting! And true about the banana, but at least you can grow them 🍌🍌🍌

[@pipper70]

@@OffGridHawaii Living in Mountain View, Aloha Estates, was actually a nice place. We had a couple of banana trees on our property but they would all get ripe at once. I would give them away at work and my wife would put a bunch of them in the freezer and make banana nut bread a few months later. If my wife's mom hadn't gotten sick back in California, we would still live there. Fortunately, our youngest daughter and her family still live in Hilo and we fly over every year or two to visit.

[@brigittelm6054]

How about this: use an above ground planter box with the legs yoelevate it... for a Raised bed garden for lettuce. Below have a boxed area full of lava rocks- sharp and add a pie tin with beer as that attracts them into it and the slugs and smails drown.

[@stephenzilch4274]

Honestly I wouldn't risk it. I wouldn't fuck with brain nematodes.

[@ipsosmaati1971]

Yes, but people steal and that makes it too much work.

[@baby_UFO]

East side of an island in the middle of the pacific Sis... it rains nearly every day.

[@vantheman3857]

Hey is anyone reading" RIP disco bear"on the top of this comment before hitting the replying comments where it vanishes !?!... this is so weird I was just on that channel and this showing up not sure if it's my phone or KZbin very strange please get back 😲?!?

[@robertmanning2144]

Beer also attracts cockroaches, by the hundreds. If you like those B-52s, do it...and the smell of stale, fermenting beer is awful

[@DanielRivers-m3t]

Oh boy... Is this just in the rural areas or also in the more crowded areas like Honolulu?

[@OffGridHawaii]

This video is specific to puna but some things could apply to other areas I suppose

[@Foldisfitch]

Hello, I just started watching your videos with this one...Excellent. I would like to watch your videos from the first one (when you started making your Hawaii videos) in order to follow them from oldest to newest. Could you please let me know what your first Hawaii video is?