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Seaside Zen Cottage Sustainability |
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| "Kona kai opua i ka la'i" Kona where the horizon clouds rest in the calm. |
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The Seaside Zen Cottage Provides an excellent example of this principle. The cottage is Completely recycled Originally, (perhaps as long ago as the 1800's) the cottage was a teacher's house in Hilo. Dr. Phillips, the then owner, simply dismantled the cottage and re built it in Kona Naturally termite resistant The cottage walls are cedar. Termites don't like it so there was no need to "treat" it. Local renewable materials The wall board is "Canec" a fiber board made of pressed bagass - or cane pulp - a factory in Hilo used to take cane waste and make it into Canec. Energy efficient - no HVAC The Cottage has no heating or air conditioning - it is naturally ventilated. In addition, we have installed energy star appliances and low energy light bulbs Not built on a "green field;" no alteration of the land form Polynesians have inhabited Hawai'i for at least 1,000 years. The old Hawaiian house site behind the Cottage has been preserved. The site was never graded. Old walls, trails, public beach Although we own seven lots, there was an old trail in front of our houses which we still allow people to use. Although we "own" to the mean high tide line, the beaches in Hawai'i are for the public to enjoy. We maintain our beaches, and encourage the public to respect endangered and threatened species, the coral reef, and the reef fish Native and endemic plants We have reintroduced native and endemic plants. Botanical enthusiast will discover: a'alii, akia, ala he'e, hala, hau, ke'oke'o, kou, koki'o, loulu, ma' hau hele, milo, na'au, naio, nanu, naupaka, noni, pili grass, niu, and more Honu The lagoon in front of our homes is wonderful habitat for the Honu, we always have one or two in the water or on the beach, and sometimes we have seven or eight. We post our beach to tell people not to bother the Honu. Recycling Of course! Local staff All our staff is local, our policy is to pay a living wage, to everybody, tree trimmers, landscapers, cleaning crews, and skilled workers. Local Guides Our caretaker, who lives on site, was born and raised in Kona. He is an ardent surfer, swimmer and kayaker. He helps guests with local knowledge and customs Buy local When we are using our home we "buy local" at local farmers market, or locally owned business, were we consciously select local products, we urge our guests to do the same. Contributions to local economy More than 35% of the amount spent by our guests goes to County of Hawai'i taxes to help our economy. Coming soon Photo voltaic solar panels, evapotranspiration (or a "Living Machine") + rain water recapture. In the old days the only water we had for drinking and cooking was the water we captured off the roof and stored in redwood tanks. We will have to spend lots of money to replace that old system. "auwe!" Lifestyle The Plantation Manager's Beach House is owned by people who were born and grew up in the Islands. We strive to preserve a sense of Hawai'i and Kona as we knew it in the 1940's and 50's, and to share it with those that appreciate a simpler time. Mahalo Malama Pono Ian F. Robertson, L.E.E.D.
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