New shop opening...

Aloha!

You are going to be the man with the stories before too long. Serious "infrastructure" for nice cars is great to hear. I am relatively new to the islands but am familiar with hot rod and custom car and motorcycle circles elsewhere and getting more familiar as time goes by with what is available here on Oahu. Good luck, let me know if I may be of service. PM is welcome.

Cheers

 

Glad to hear you've chosen the Big Island, Mark.

I'll be moving there in a few years as well with some sort of classic Ferrari that will need its rust kept in check.

Please keep us advised as to the progress of your move.
Aloha!

 

It’s good to hear a quality mechanic is headed out to the islands. I would suggest you think about going around to the other islands and try to find a shop on each where you can rent a bay once or twice a month. With the ferry gone it’s a PIA to get a car to another island for anything less a total rebuild. With a shop space on each island you could do less extensive jobs and find clients for you big island shop projects.

 

What a coincidence! I was just at a Big Island body shop today discussing restorative work on my 71 Alfa GTV. The car will never be anything but a driver/autocrosser, so all I want is the rust taken out of the usual places (lower body) and a re-spray. You should have seen the hand-wringing and chin-tugging. Bottom line is they have one person who might be able to take on such a demanding job, and they'll get back to me. . . . And the soonest such an endeavor could be undertaken is this summer.

Maybe I just ought to wait until you get here.

 

Thats a great segway to one of the topics of your upcoming stories that I look forward to hearing about.

"Matson" You'll need these people to be on your Christmas Card list.

 

You will have a leg up being able to chat the Matson folks up at the hand off when they take your cars and again when you pick them up. This is good, you can build some quick relationships that are mandatory in Hawaii dealings.

Love the crossing stories. I used to work with a retired Coast Guard guy and he told of his first crossing from years before. The ceremony was called "Kiss the belly of the Sea Baby" and was anounced on the loud speaker by the Captain. It involved the fatest guy available rubbing all the condiments onboard (ketchup, mustard, etc) all over his belly and then the first time crossers would kneel before him and get their faces rubbed all over the mess!

Thanks for letting me re-live the story!
Aloha

 

Have you decided which side of the Big Island to set up shop on? I'm building a home and garage-shop on our windward property. My understanding is that the high-end customers mostly live leeward (or vogward these days), and that's where the euro car dealers are. But the heavy industry and supply chain is windward in Hilo. Difficult decision....

 

I've never heard it refered to as leeward or windward and have no idea what that means. I do know that the money is in Kona period. Your not going to find very many 30 million dollar homes being built around Hilo. Also in my opinion Hilo is the closest thing to Butte Montana I have seen in many years. I hate it there and only go there if my wife absolutely insists.

 

Windward=Hilo side (wet)
Leeward=Kona side (dry)

Waimea/Kamuela=both. In other words, half of Waimea will be getting rained on while the other half is dry.

 

Good thinking, Mark.
Most things come and go out of Kawaihae and if a Ferry is ever tried again that's the place to be.

I'll eventually be in North Kohala (Hawi area).
There are plenty of multi-million dollar homes in the Kohala districts.
In fact, there's a saying in the area that goes "What Kohala wants Kohala gets."

 

Actually with the nature of the very dirty politics of Hawaii, its more like what Hilo wants Hilo gets.
I've never seen such corruption.

 

There is a lot going on. 95% of the unionized work force are unemployed. Very bad to say the least. This kind of desperation can be a catalyst for a change but IMO the dust hasn't even begun to settle to say nothing of new politics that address the current conditions.

Ferry, I don't think we will see this in our lifetimes unless it is brought forth by Matson. Shame that the last attempt demonstrated with accute precision how difficult it is to do business here.

 

Just to clarify, I was speaking about the construction workforce above.

 

In the construction business a lien is of no value. Most contractors refuse to pay retainege at the end of a project and can legally negotiate a payment with the sub contractor. No mainland suppliers can lien a project in Hawaii therefore many require payment in full before shipping. Construction cost escalate as a result. Currently the state is trying to pass legislation that will require all contractors and sub contractors to provide something like 80% of their workforce as Hawaii residents. We cannot find a single Hawaii resident that is skilled in our trade. The Architects in Hawaii as a whole should have their certification removed as they do a pathetic job and cost the taxpayer on public jobs twice the money required to do a job. I've seen single story buildings that here in Montana would take 6 months to build and be accepted by the owner take up to three years for completion in Hawaii. Absurd to say the least. I still work and do business in Hawaii but I will not live there.

 

G man. What trade are you looking for? While I am relatively new to the islands I may know someone. PM is OK.

And to keep it light, I dunno Hawaii...Montana...Hawaii...Montana
I am sure each has it's draw if one is set up properly.

 

If I may offer any help from Oahu, while you are here, let me know. PM is fine

 

What a crock; just another hazing excuse.