Replies

1. 
   WorkshopJon | Oct 25, 2003 12:31am | #1

   Big.

   "anyone out there know of some good quality builders in the state of Hawaii,"

   I've been to Hawaii several times. Have to say the homes there exhibit some of the poorest construction in the U.S. I have no idea why, but a quality built Hawaiian house seems like an oxymoron.

   Jon

1. 
   stefs3 | Oct 25, 2003 01:48am | #2

   I'm little hesitant to "rat out" my fellow hawaiins but it is true-Hawaii has the worst quality construction in the world. There are a couple reasons for that, none of which matter much. Primarily, its cause Hawaii is highly unionized and there is no incentive for builders to build well. No cold weather, only an occasional hurricane, and everyone moves frequently.

   Unless you aspire to be in the union, forget about working in the trades, Big Island or no.

   Also, are you aware, there has been a 10 year or longer recession/depression there. ONly now are real estate values begining to return to 1990 levels. So, unless you hurry you will have missed that window of opportunity.

   Hawaii is a wonderful place to visit and vacation, but a horrible place to work. Save yourself the anguish and locate on the mainland.

   Spoken as one who knows.

   Stef

   PS I own property on the big island so this is not just hearsay. And I used to have a business on Oahu.

1. 
   Handydan | Oct 25, 2003 12:09pm | #5

   Where is the property on the big Island, and would you consider selling.  I am happy here, and would consider adding to my debts if it was a good deal.  Curious mostly as to location, but might like it.  Where did you go to, if you left?  Check the Hawaiiinformation.com site, you may get a real pleasent surprise, they are really selling at those prices.  Even Hilo is starting to move a little, though not like here.

   Dan

2. 
   archyII | Oct 26, 2003 02:10am | #6

   I've done three jobs in Honolulu, two in Lahina Maui, and one in Kona Hawaii.  I have never experience "union issues" ( 1985-2000).  I have experienced a lack motivation.  Had a millwork crew come in from Houston for two the jobs.  The foreman and lead carpenter stayed after the second job.  They saw the island mentality and thought they could beat it with their work ethic.  A couple of years latter I met with both of them.  They had flip flops and baggy shorts.  They became what they thought they could beat.  Both are very happy.  Hawaii has one of the highest cost of living in the 50 states.  Locally produced food is more expensive than frozen shipped in food.

1. 
   junkhound | Oct 26, 2003 05:54am | #7

   One cost data point - paid over $1K for 1 day fork lift rental on Maui this summer.  Bet that's a lot higher than any rates Frenchy has.

2. 
   JeffBuck | Oct 26, 2003 08:13am | #8

   That's funny to say someone from Houston had a "work ethic''!

   You gotta shoot a little higher on the Mason/Dixon before you use that term freely.

   JeffBuck Construction   Pittsburgh,PA

    Fine Carpentery.....While U Waite                  

1. 
   WorkshopJon | Oct 26, 2003 01:12pm | #9

   "That's funny to say someone from Houston had a "work ethic'' "

   Jeff,

   That is funny, (and true?)

   Here in WI, rush hour starts at 5am and is over with by 8. And Pittsburgh?

   Where I work, 80% of are employees are already working by 5:45/6:00am. From what I recall, the only activity you see at that hour in HI is tourists who haven't adjusted to the time zone out jogging on a beach.

   Jon

2. 
   edwardh1 | Oct 26, 2003 03:41pm | #10

   Posted:

   Where I work, 80% of are employees are already working by 5:45/6:00am. From what I recall, the only activity you see at that hour in HI is tourists who haven't adjusted to the time zone out jogging on a beach.

   Thats probably whats wrong with America. How do their kids get to the school bus if mom works. do the kids get up at 4 30 am.

   And most/ many French people get 6 weeks vacation a year .

   i think most of our money goes to the CEO

3. 
   WorkshopJon | Oct 26, 2003 06:42pm | #11

   "And most/ many French people get 6 weeks vacation a year"

   Wain,

   Using the French as a role model for ? And that French government mandated 35 hour work week worked out real well too. HEEE HEEE HEEE

   Everything in life can be negotiated, you just have to know how. If an average American worker wants more vacation and is willing to take a pay cut or a work out a unique work arrangement that benefits the employer, it can be done.

   I get about 8 to 10 weeks off a year (by choice), but am there for my employer when they really need me. Some of my co-workers chose not to take any vacations. Just take a check for vacation pay. Their choice

   Jon

   Edited 10/26/2003 11:46:13 AM ET by WorkshopJon

4. 
   JeffBuck | Oct 27, 2003 05:49pm | #12

   so you saying we should all go on strike about 5 or 6 times a year?

   U anti-US but the EU is great types are a hoot!

   maybe we should shoot for the British way of doing things ... a 17vat tax and enough unemployment for everyone!

   Take a look around the world ... things ain't so bad here ....

   JeffBuck Construction   Pittsburgh,PA

    Fine Carpentery.....While U Waite                  

5. 
   edwardh1 | Oct 27, 2003 06:28pm | #13

   You are right things are greeat !!! - we are rich enough to give 87 Billion to Iraq, rather than spening it on out own people, or loaning it to Iraq.

   I just think we should not always think our way is the best.

   The french people i know get more vacations than we do, and they think their medical care is BETER (for several reasons) than ours (I know, we think OURS is better)

6. 
   raybrowne | Oct 28, 2003 12:21am | #14

   European companies seem to treat their employee's far better than the ones here. I try to pay my employees a reasonable wage($23.00 to $40.00, paying even helpers $23.00/hour) and figure in 4 weeks of vacation pay when doing estimates.

   Only three guys working fulltime right now with a few part time students to help on night and weekend commercial work. We do commercial work and some residential finish work in downtown Boston/Cambridge and I feel like the guys working for me should be able to live in the areas we work in. I dislike the companies that ship in cheap workers from western MA and Maine and undercut labor costs here, I plan on raising our average compensation rates come January as well.

   Maybe as more companies get bought out by Euro firms here we'll see some european style benefits in this country but I doubt it. Not that things are bad here at all.

   -Ray

7. 
   JeffBuck | Oct 28, 2003 05:43pm | #15

   they need more vacations to get away from the stink when the garbage collection sits curb side thru yet another strike!

   You want more vacations position yourself to demand them.

   I'm not yet ready to triple my taxes because you want more time off.

   Nothings "free" .... think about it.

   You are perfectly welcome to "live a european lifestyle" right here in the good ole USA ... drive one crappy little LeCar .... save tons on tooth paste and deodorant ... wear old wrinkled grey clothes ...

   and spend all what ya saved by traveling ....

   Just don't whine that your neighbors don't wanna help pay for it.

   We have Eurorail too ... it's called GreyHound!

   Jeff

   Buck Construction   Pittsburgh,PA

    Fine Carpentery.....While U Waite                  

2. 
   wrick2003 | Oct 25, 2003 04:20am | #3

        We just returned from a vacation on Kauai. There seems to be a lack of jobs everywhere, from the conversations we've had. We looked at the local classified ads and asked a few people about working there, but most everyone said that the hospitality business is the only one to work steady in.

        You might go to http://www.paperboy.com and look at the Hawaiian papers.

        As a side note, the only handymen- carpenter type dudes I saw were obviously non-caucasion. The head maintenance man at our resort was a transplant though, and looked a little nervous when I asked him about construction management job prospects.

        The construction of some of the houses was really neat. They are built on piers about four feet off the ground. Also everything is covered in T-111 or stucco. Everything had 3/4" bolted beam/ column connections  

        Curly Koa was $55.00 per bd ft.

        Unfortunately, I was too occupied to get a general materials price list.  

        Caught a 30 lb Mahi-Mahi.

        Good Luck     rg

     

1. 
   Handydan | Oct 25, 2003 12:03pm | #4

   Well if you have enough time to read one more opinion, come on in, the water is fine.  My wife and I move to Kona, on the island of Hawaii, nearly five years ago, and we think it is pretty neat.   Many things here are different than about anywhere else, some for the better, some not so good.   You probably should check the WestHawaiiToday.com site for any info.  That is the local paper here on the dry, and expensive side.  Real Estate had been in a slump, but has gone up dramatically in the last two years.   There is a lot of crappy homes, but ther is also an influx of big money resort/vacation homes that are being built to very high standards, and priced in many millions.  Charles Schwabb, Dave Robinson, The Dells of computer fame, and many others.  This is an area of drastic extremes, lots of poor people, and lots of rich really rich people.  Hawaiiinformation.com will guide you through our real estate market, but you need a good map, because the names all look the same for a while to those who don't speak Hawaiian.  E-Mail direct and I will try to help more, as others are probably bored by now.

   Dan, in KOna and happy