First day of excavating (March 2006). We need a level area of approximately 120' of level ground makai (ocean) to mauka (mountain) in order to " fit " everything.

The soil in this area is considered by many to be the most fertile on the planet!

The Monkeypod tree picture above needs to be removed and relocated.

In Hawaii, it is common to remove and relocate trees.

Looks like plenty of room to build the house. This is where we will call home. In the meantime, we live closer to the ocean in a rental home.

May 2006 - The utility trench is dug and we purchase a container to store all the building materials we shipped over with us.

July 2006 - The Lipps' arrive and the work begins!

The foundation is framed then fill is added and compacted. What appears to be trenches are actually the footers (both interior and perimeter).

After the plumbing and electric are roughed in and inspected, the area is treated by a termite control contractor. Shortly afterwards the ground is covered with heavy black plastic that will act as a moisture barrier. Steel reinforcement rods (rebar) are installed.

Time to pour the foundation and slab!

A concrete pumper was used due to the size of the pour (12 truck loads).

The concrete was all in place in less than 5 hours. The finishing took another three hours.

The recessed  area at the right of the photo above is where the master shower is located. The long trench area is boxed out for the sliding glass doors track that will open to the rear (ocean side) lanai.

The photo above was taken near the top of the lot. The area to the left is the garage / office and guest space. The main residence is beyond the pumper and concrete trucks. The storage container will be relocated to a lower section of our three acre lot after construction is completed.

Near the entrance... a look of things to come.

Early October - Rain, rain and more rain!

I sit here and overlook the Pacific from our lanai.

Plywood sign across driveway entrance. Kapu means forbidden.

The first LIPPS & SON job in Hawaii. Brando learning the trade.

Relocating boulders. There are three that I want moved to the makai (ocean) side of the house. The smallest is estimated to weigh 12 tons.

Two tractor trailer loads of roof trusses were delivered the 3rd week of October.

These are samples of the roof and cement stucco we are going to use. The stucco samples don't show eal well in these pictures but you get the idea. The center color will be used as an accent and has clear silica chips that sparkle.

The picture above is facing mauka (towards the mountain). The building on the left is the main house. Staright ahead is the detached garage. The sliding glass doors lead into the guest apartment.

Charles Lipps & Son. Charles is visiting and comes to the jobsite a couple days per week to hang out and talk shop with the guys. You're looking at the porte' cochere... which is close to an attached covered carport (for you midwesterners). To the right of Charlie is the main entrance.

All the voice, data and cable lines for the house are here. We have wired everything for the latest technology. Cable access in 12 locations, voice and data in every room, a security system along w/ stereo and video closets on both sides of where the main TV will be. Stereo speakers located throughout the house and porte' cochere.