Thanks again for the compliment, interest, and advice.
The areas of Hawaii away from the beaches are overlooked by tourists, but for many locals slightly "up country" is a preferred place to live because it is cooler than sea level. From 800 - 1200 is considered the "sweet spot" for comfortable weather. No heat or air conditioning necessary year round at those elevations. I am less than 15 mins from the beaches and small town, but when I'm home in the forest it feels like I am hundreds of miles from "civilization." When I added on some living area downstairs, I insulated it well, and no heat or air is needed down there. It is only the second and third story that needs a little assistance keeping warm at night. But it's a worthwhile trade off with all the glass and view as the reward.
A wood called ohi'a is the main wood we burn. It is a hard wood, and is excellent. Perhaps a bit sootier/smokier than the prime woods you guys burn, but not too bad if dry enough. There is an excellent wood from the mesquite family called kiawe. It burns hot, long, and very clean. I believe it is as good or better than oak. It is what is used for the in ground cooking pits at luaus, and when barbecuing. It has that very pleasant taste and aroma. However it grows only in dry areas near sea level, and is super hard on a chain saw when harvesting already dead trees. I have used this before and it is amazing stuff, lasting forever, with a lot of heat, and only a few snow white ashes left over. You would really be surprised. And it smells so good. I have burned oak when I lived in California, so I know how good it is.
There is also some eucalyptus here, and some iron wood, plus some misc. other woods. Even if you wanted to send dollar bills up your chimney, it would be hard to find koa to burn. It is hard enough finding small pieces for crafts and tourist trinkets these days. It is super extremely expensive, but I bet it burns well.
I have planted a few trees, but I doubt it will ever find its way to the stove.
The areas of Hawaii away from the beaches are overlooked by tourists, but for many locals slightly "up country" is a preferred place to live because it is cooler than sea level. From 800 - 1200 is considered the "sweet spot" for comfortable weather. No heat or air conditioning necessary year round at those elevations. I am less than 15 mins from the beaches and small town, but when I'm home in the forest it feels like I am hundreds of miles from "civilization." When I added on some living area downstairs, I insulated it well, and no heat or air is needed down there. It is only the second and third story that needs a little assistance keeping warm at night. But it's a worthwhile trade off with all the glass and view as the reward.
A wood called ohi'a is the main wood we burn. It is a hard wood, and is excellent. Perhaps a bit sootier/smokier than the prime woods you guys burn, but not too bad if dry enough. There is an excellent wood from the mesquite family called kiawe. It burns hot, long, and very clean. I believe it is as good or better than oak. It is what is used for the in ground cooking pits at luaus, and when barbecuing. It has that very pleasant taste and aroma. However it grows only in dry areas near sea level, and is super hard on a chain saw when harvesting already dead trees. I have used this before and it is amazing stuff, lasting forever, with a lot of heat, and only a few snow white ashes left over. You would really be surprised. And it smells so good. I have burned oak when I lived in California, so I know how good it is.
There is also some eucalyptus here, and some iron wood, plus some misc. other woods. Even if you wanted to send dollar bills up your chimney, it would be hard to find koa to burn. It is hard enough finding small pieces for crafts and tourist trinkets these days. It is super extremely expensive, but I bet it burns well.
I have planted a few trees, but I doubt it will ever find its way to the stove.
