I use the apellation "Thane Torg" for several idiosyncratic reasons, I suppose. A "thane", in medieval times, was between the class of unlanded Freemen and the Nobility in Merrye Olde England, (from whence I trace my paternal ancestral roots). My maternal ancestors were from Norway, ergo a Viking inheritance is in my DNA. 'Torg', (aside from a Norski flavor), may impart the sense that underneath all of our Civilized trappings, we are still just Cro-Magnon human beings with very advanced furs and clubs.
I love to write, especially metaphysical poetry, and am involved in acting in small Indie films in NW Washington. My wife and I, our three Scotties and tripod Brit-Am golden cocker spaniel, (and Benny the conure), live in a Pan Abode Cedar log home right on Chuckanut Creek south of the Fairhaven Historic Victorian borough of Bellingham. I am a %100 disabled (peacetime) combat engineer Army veteran, also on federal disability retirement. Winter prompts me to be in warmer climes, especially when osteoarthritis bites into my joints.

Aloha Thane,

Sorry there are not very many people visiting here yet. I hope as Ka'u grows we will get more members participating. This is my way of giving to everyone who lives in Ka'u. I have some other domain names for areas around Hawaiian Ocean View that I hope to someday create websites for. I know some members from the Kona Forum cruise through here every once in a while as well.

Tell everyone where you are going to build/live? Let us know a litle about your plans. Maybe we can get some more people to post what they are doing.

Just making contingency plans, as aforementioned; there doesn't seem to be very much information about the infrastructure or any other details in the Ocean View Estates, (formerly HOVE, ja?). How far to "civilization", or major amenities like a hospital, first-run movies, Costco, internet access, utility cost/availability, et cetera. Are you all that far from Hilo? Also, what it's like for you to live there, long term-wise. Do you miss having "seasons", does it dump rain and then remain nice weather mostly in summer: you know, just rambling details like that; what it's like "on the inside", experientially, for you.
Thanks.

Hi Thane,

The Estates (HOVE) are north of Highway 11 (Volcano Side) and the Ranchos (HOVR) are south (Ocean Side) of the Highway. HOVE consists of 1 acre lots and HOVR consists of 3 acre lots. The town of Ocean View has many amenities such as a grocery store, Ace Hardware, 2 gas stations, a couple of restaurants, a credit union, a couple of fast food places (sandwiches and pizza I think), a video rental store, collectibles store, solar power store and I am sure I have forgotten a few things. I don't remember where the nearest hospital is but I think I remember someone saying about 20-25 miles and emergency help can be around 30-45 minutes away. Ocean View has their own volunteer fire department. High speed Internet access is available via direct line of site antenna. The antenna is smaller than a satellite dish antenna and satellite TV is available. Everything else you mentioned is in Kona (~45 miles) and Hilo (~55 miles). Electricity is available to most of the area except the nose bleed lots. The price for electricity is high. There is no city water or sewer system hookups available. Water is provided by the city in nearby wells for drinking and all properties have large water tanks and catch rain water for re-use. Some cell phones work in the area.

I own a home in the Ranchos part of Ocean View. But I do not live there. I visit occasionally. I currently live in California. I can tell you that the lower elevations are quite mild and do not have much in the way of a season. But if you choose to live in the higher climates it can get quite chilly at night. Homes in the higher elevations usually have wood burning stoves for heat. Sorry but I can't answer the rest of your questions since I do not live there yet.

Anyone else like to help answer Thane's questions?

Ok, just got back today from Ocean View. The nearest Costco is in Kona. There is now a grocery store open in town. And an entire shopping center is being built. No clue whats in it, ATM its a bunch of guys laying cement. Another-larger-store is rumoured. There is a credit union in town as well as a couple of ATMs, we do fine with ING accounts and the ATMs.

My place is at the top (about 5000', 1500m) and it gets down near 40f (about 6c IIRC). We can grow things there that don't grow well at lower elevations, and the reverse is also true. For you the Ranchos section might be better. Electricity is-at a raw guess-about 3 years from covering the last bits of HOVE. Just over a mile from our place right now. We intend to stay off grid, as do most of the neighbors. High speed net available from Aloha Broadband and FasnetHawaii, covers most of the area, including some of my neighbors.

Mahalo,

Ed

And on the theater front; there is a small live theater company in Ocean View, they've even done original works. Its called Live Ocean View Entertainment (LOVE). The Aloha Theater in Kanaliu is pretty active doing live work and shows art films as well. They are both always looking for volunteers. My wife-a professional, financially successful artist-describes TBI as "the worlds largest artists colony" and she might be right. Ocean View is chock full or fine artists, crafters, and artisans of every kind imaginable.

Ed

Hi Ed,

Thank you very much for this update! It is much appreciated. I hope that when I finally move over there I will be able to keep this forum updated as well. Posts from members are what helps keep this forum alive.

I´m here =)

I´m not so happy because there aren´t a lot of members here ...
I thought there are more discussions and things like that .. maybe next time I´m here.

Best greets, birgitta

I hope that as communities such as Ocean View, Discovery Harbour and the rest of Ka'u starts to flourish a little and Internet access becomes more mainstream that we will have more participation. I run this forum with no donations and no advertising. We have a few thousand unique visitors every month but not all people like to participate. As long as there members such as yourself that want to discuss and ask questions participation usually gets bigger and bigger.

Aloha!