Hawaii
Tiny Homes
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Hawaii Tiny Home Zoning
The natural landscapes like beaches, mountains, volcanos, coastal areas, and luscious bamboo forests make Hawaii idyllic for a minimalistic lifestyle. There are a few areas in the state that embrace the Hawaii tiny homes movement. The Puna region of the Big Island is specifically renowned for its off-grid and relaxed attitude.
Below are some great resources to get you started on your Hawaii tiny home journey.
Hawaii Tiny Homes News & Resources
Hawaii Tiny Home Communities
Hawaii Tiny Homes Building Considerations
Foremost, an important investment for your Hawaii tiny home is good insulation to keep your home cool and comfortable during the sultry summer months. We use spray foam insulation and 2×4 framing. Spray foam has by far the highest R-value available for the tiny home application, and wooden construction allows less air infiltration than steel framing when the temperature rises. Additionally, we use LP SmartSide for a low-maintenance and durable siding that won’t warp or change with fluctuating temperatures (and which can be painted any custom color you like). We recommend the Hawaii coastal color pallet by Benjamin Moore in Caribbean Blue Water 2055-30, a turquoise paint for an island feel.
Another consideration for the hotter months is humidity—an important factor for a Hawaii tiny home. You’ll want a reliable and efficient HVAC system in your home. You may want to explore other options for dehumidifying your tiny home as well. This will work in tandem with your insulation and framing to keep the hot out and the cool in.
Also, if you’re opting for a more off-grid Hawaiin lifestyle, investing in solar power is also a good idea. If the set-up of your Hawaii tiny home is permanent or semi-permanent, we recommend a ground mounted solar array. And housing the heavy batteries in a separate outbuilding will allow you to make the most of your tiny home’s precious square footage.
Another key design element for Hawaii tiny homes is an exterior deck, especially if you’re living on the coast. Your builder should be able to assist with your overall site plan and may even be able to create a set of deck construction documents to be used for building your deck on-site.
Hawaii Weather Considerations
Furthermore, Hawaii can be prone to severe weather. You may want to consider the safety options for your tiny home. There are industry practices to keep tiny home dwellings safe and secure. Read this blog post on Setting Up Your Tiny Home – Blocking, Anchoring, and Skirting. As well as this blog post on Crisis Preparation for Tiny Living to get you started.
