The Building of the Maui House
by Eric Newman

We contracted with 3D Builders and Design in Maui to build the house in late February, 2008.  3D Builders had a good reputation and was familiar with building challenging designs, remote locations, and high-end homes.  They are not known for being inexpensive or fast.  The president of 3D Builders, Don Roth, lives in the same sub-development on the next street.  Don has an excellent knowledge of construction in Maui and a strong background in framing.  We found Don to be an excellent communicator and had an uncanny ability to quickly understand exactly what we wanted and offered creative suggestions to improve on it.

The house design was single story, three bedroom, three bath, and rather sprawling, with a horizontal projection of the roof area equal to 5,580 sq. ft.  Construction began in March, 2008 on a 12-month contract, and we were blessed with great weather and minimal delays from suppliers.  Framing proceeded quickly, and by September, 2008 the house was wrapped, the windows and some doors were in, and the roof was sheathed with plywood.

I rented a room in the house next door and was on the job site for about 60 percent of the building process.  I would recommend to anybody not to be a pest, but be available as much as possible while construction is taking place — Especially during the critical finishing period.

Worked slowed during the finish work and the final building inspection was November 3, 2009, and we got the keys two days later.  The house was eight months late with a lengthy list of punch list (incomplete) items.

We were pleased with the way the house turned out with very few exceptions.  The flooring was supposed to be engineered acacia flooring, which looks very similar to Hawaiian Koa.  Unfortunately, the engineered acacia flooring arrived in the incorrect color and only solid acacia flooring was available in the correct color.  We felt that engineered flooring would be more stable over humidity and temperature variations, but we were assured that solid flooring would be fine.

The solid acacia flooring was installed in April 2009, and looked beautiful.  The flooring was immediately covered with Masonite to protect it from the balance of the construction process.  In early September 2009, the Masonite removed and the flooring had severe problems.

All the flooring was severely warped and cupped upwards.  Apparently the flooring was installed over plywood that wasn't sufficiently dry, and the moisture caused the bottom of the flooring to expand.  There were also about 50 cracks in the flooring and something was oozing up from the wood.  Lastly, there were over 50 dings and dents.  Some were caused from grit under the Masonite, which was ground into the flooring over time.  Some were just due to carelessness of workers moving ladders and scaffolding which left marks into the wood, and dragging items such as the water heater which left deep gouges.  Most workers seemed to be careful, others clearly were not.

Acacia Hardwood Flooring Ooze

We wanted the flooring replaced, but we got a credit to have the flooring sanded and refinished.  At th time of this writing, we are waiting to schedule the refinishing, and waiting for assurances that everything including the baseboards will not be damaged in the process.

In Hawaii there are several parties and celebrations at different milestones, and we did them all.  The first is a Hawaiian Blessing for the groundbreaking.  Rev. Adam Gomes conducted the blessing and we had an excellent time and thought he did a great job.  Next is the Topping Off party that is usually done when the roof is sheeted, windows are installed, the exterior plywood is up, but the drywall is not yet installed.  The Topping Off party is basically a celebration and thank you lunch for the excavators, concrete crew, framers and other workers.  In some cultures they tie an evergreen branch to the roof.  The final celebration is the house blessing and it is conducted when the house is complete and you are moving in.  You invite everybody to the blessing — Friends, family, workers, contractors, vendors, and neighbors.  Most of our family flew in from the mainland.  Rev. Adam Gomes officiated again, and neighbor and four-time Grammy award winner George Kahumoku, Jr. performed Hawaiian slack key guitar.  The house blessing was the most special and enjoyable of the three events.

Below you'll see tons of pictures and videos of the construction and the three parties, so please take a look.

House from a Helicopter Viewed Overhead.  May 11, 2009

Framing with a View.  June, 2008

House Design Front Elevation Monier Sea Green Saxony Shake Tile Roof Selected

House Floor Plan

Current House Floor Plan Larger Image

House Site Plan

Click Thumbnail for Larger Image

Early Grading Started in March, 2008

More Grading in Late March, 2008

Hawaiian Land Blessing / Groundbreaking April 3, 2008

Rev. Adam Gomes with friends at Hawaiian Blessing

Hawaiian Land Blessing / Groundbreaking April 3, 2008

More Grading in Early April, 2008

More Grading in Early April, 2008

More Grading in Early April, 2008

Foundation Work Early May 2008

Foundation Work Early May 2008

Foundation Work Early May 2008

Foundation Work Early May 2008

Foundation Work May 10, 2008

Foundation Work Late May, 2008

3D Builders and Design

Garage Retaining Wall Footing

Guest Bedroom Footing Late May 2008

Dining Room Footings Late May 2008

Path Down to Lower Clearing, May 2008

Early Morning on Building Site, June, 2008

Framing with a View June, 2008

Framing with a View June, 2008

Framing with a View June, 2008

Garage Retaining Wall in Progress

Framing House in June, 2008

View from Lower Clearing June, 2008

Site of Future Costco Plastic Shed

House Decking Early July 2008

House Decking a Few Days Later

Completed Costco Plastic Shed

Completed Garage Retaining Wall and Trench for Electricity

Lower Clearing with Shed

Post and Pier Framing of Master Bedroom

4WD ATV in Costco Shed

Delivery of 14 Tons of Blue Rock

First of Four Blue Rock Planters

First Blue Rock Planter

Graded for Second Costco Shed

Roof Truss Delivery in August, 2008

Lower Clearing with Sheds and Planters

Lower Clearing with Sheds and Planters

Two of Four Blue Rock Planters

Sheds and Rental Car in Lower Clearing

New Riding Lawnmower in Second Shed

House Construction Seen from Lower Clearing

Roof Trusses Almost All Installed in August, 2008

Framing in Great Room Dining Area

Framing in Master Bedroom and Master Bathroom

Framing in Great Room in August, 2008

Framing in Office and Guest Room

House Construction Seen from Boy Scout Camp

Blue Rock Culvert Under Construction

Great Room Framing August 31, 2008

House Viewed From Street August 31, 2008

Roof Almost All Sheeted Garage and Entry Slabs Poured

Great Room Framing Looking into Office

Office Roof Framing September 1, 2008

Office and Hallway Roof Framing

Guest Room Roof Framing

Main Lanai Framing September 1, 2008

Pumping Concrete September 3, 2008

Pumping Concrete September 3, 2008

Pumping Concrete in Garage September 3, 2008

Finished Concrete in Garage and Breezeway

Finished Concrete in Formal Entry

Breezeway Framing Started September 4, 2008

House Construction Viewed From Entrance

House from Street Garage Framed

Formal Entrance to House

House Construction Viewed from Entrance

House Construction Viewed from Below

Guest Room and Garage

Inside of Garage and Breezeway

Inside of Garage

Inside of Garage and Roof Joists

Office Framing September 24, 2008

Guest and Office Bathroom Windows

Great Room Looking Toward Dining Room

Great Room Looking Toward Kitchen

Framing of 12 ft. x 10 ft. Master Closet

Master Bathroom Framing

Master Bathroom Sink and Two Closets

Master Bedroom, Lanai and Sitting Area

Master Bathroom Bathtub Area Framing

Main Lanai on View Side of House

Area Below House Grubbed for Terraced Walls

Trench for Top Terraced Wall Footing

Topping Off Party Oct. 24, 2008

Topping Off Party Oct. 24, 2008

Topping Off Party Oct. 24, 2008

Topping Off Party Oct. 24, 2008

Topping Off Party Oct. 24, 2008

Topping Off Party Oct. 24, 2008

Rainbow During Topping Off Party

House with Board and Batton Siding Installed

Batons on Roof November 1, 2008

Great Room Kitchen Looking Toward Kitchen Nov. 4, 2008

Sliding Glass Pocket Doors in Great Room

Front Entrance into Great Room

Fire Sprinklers and Electrical

Nitch Added Above Guest Room Closet

Riki Starting Top Terraced Blue Rock Wall

Blue Rocks On Top Terraced Wall

Stair Cut Out on Top Terraced Wall

Front Entrance with Facia Painted

Front Entrance with Facia Painted

Front Entrance and Ceiling

Sliding Glass Pocket Doors with Nitch Above

Fireplace Roughed in November 6, 2008

Chimney Roughed in November 6, 2008

Monier Tile Roof Installed January 9, 2009

Fireplace in Great Room January 9, 2009

Main Lanai January 9, 2009

First Terraced Blue Rock Wall

First Terraced Blue Rock Wall and Lanai

First Terraced Blue Rock Wall Stairway Cut Out

House Viewed from Street Below

House Viewed from Lower Clearing

Driveway Grading around Road Storm Drain Culvert

Driveway Grading around Road Storm Drain Culvert

Driveway Grading around Road Storm Drain Culvert

Lots of Wires in Equipment Closet

Soffit in Office / Bedroom #2

Air Returns Framed in Office / Bedroom #2

200 Amp Electrical Panels in Garage

Kitchen with Soffits and Island

Top Soil Delivery for Backfilling Rock Walls

Top Soil for Backfilling Blue Rock Walls

Cement Board on Main Lanai

Great Room with Insulation Installed

Floor Insulation Under House

Great Room with Sheet Rock Installed

Great Room with Sheet Rock Installed

First Two Blue Rock Terraced Walls

First Two Blue Rock Terraced Walls

Hardwood Flooring Delivered & Acclimatizing in Great Room

Wood Installed on Soffits under Eaves

Great Room Quadruple Sliding Glass Door

Windows in Office (Second Bedroom)

Windows in Master Bedroom

Private Lanai off Guest Bedroom

Exterior of House Being Painted

Exterior Being Painted April 6, 2009

Main Lanai and Terraced Walls From Below

Guest Room and Side of Garage

House Viewed from Lower Clearing

Pre Open House Party with Family

Installation of Cedar Ceiling in Great Room

Installation of Cedar Ceiling in Great Room

Installation of Cedar Ceiling in Great Room

Installation of Cedar Ceiling on Main Lanai

Forms on 200 ft. Long Driveway to Lower Clearing

First of Four Concrete Trucks And Pump

Pouring 200 ft. Long Driveway to Lower Clearing

Pouring 200 ft. Long Driveway to Lower Clearing

Finishing Offramp to Water Tank

Long Driveway Formed and No. 10 Mesh

Slowly Working Down Long Driveway

Slowly Working Down Long Driveway

Rough Broom Finish on Driveway

Starting to Pull Forms on Driveway

Completed Driveway to Lower Clearing

End of Driveway in Lower Clearing

House and Driveway from Maluhia Entrance

Guest Room Porcelain Tile Installation

Guest Room Porcelain Tile Installation

Guest Room Porcelain Tile Installation

Guest Lanai Porcelain Tile Installation

Guest Lanai Porcelain Tile Installation

Ricky Building Blue Rock Wall Below Water Tank

House from a Helicopter May 11, 2009

House from a Helicopter Viewed Overhead

House from a Helicopter Viewed Overhead

Master Bedroom Viewed from Below

Acacia Hardwood Flooring Being Installed in Great Room

Cedar Reflective Ceiling in Great Room

Cedar Reflective Ceiling in Front Lanai Entrance

Cedar Reflective Ceiling in Main Lanai

House Viewed from Maluhia Entrance

French Doors in Breezeway

Garage, Breezeway, and Front Entrance

Acacia Flooring Being Installed in Office

Load of EKO Systems Compost

Driveway Retaining Wall Footing

Driveway To Lower Clearing and Retaining Wall

World's Steepest Driveway at 24 Degrees (44.5 %)

World's Steepest Driveway at 24 Degrees

Terraced Walls Being Backfilled

Steeper than the World's Steepest Driveway (only 22 degrees or 40%)

First Two Terraced Walls Backfilled

Dining Room Pond Being Dug

Interior Finish Load Delivery

Ponds Dug Front being Graded

Master Bathroom Cabinets Installed

Great Room with Kitchen Cabinets being Installed

Kitchen Island Cabinets Installed

Kitchen Cabinets being Installed

Kitchen Cabinets being Installed

Kitchen Cabinets being Installed

Office Bathroom Cabinets being Installed

Footing for Third Terraced Wall

Driveway with Blue Rock Retaining Wall

Tank Offramp on Driveway to Lower Clearing

Third Terraced Wall Complete

Slate Veneer on Lanai Column

Slate Veneer on Front Columns

Louvered Doors Installed in Hallway

First Crop of Tomatoes

Front Doors Installed

Wainscoting Installed in Office

Trench for Six Inch Gutter Pipe to Catchment Water Tank

Six Inch Gutter Pipe with Valve and Overflow

Wainscoting Installed in Breezeway

Stained Cedar Ceiling on Lanai

Copper Gutters Formed On Site

First Length of Copper Gutters Installed

Copper Gutters and Slate being Installed

Great Room Beam Wrapped in Hardwood

Great Room with Kitchen and Cedar Ceiling

Dining Room in Great Room

Solid Copper Gutters on Roof

Bamboo Being Installed on Master Bedroom Ceiling

Ground Breaking on Barn/Workshop 6/24/09

Jacaranda Tree in Lower Clearing

Rainforest Green Granite Installed in Office Shower

Glass Tiles Installed Around Future Mirror in Office Shower

Great Room Ceiling Fans Installed

Dining Room Behind Fireplace

Great Room Looking Toward Kitchen

Shower in Master Bathroom

Ceiling Fan in Master Bathroom

Sixth and Final Terraced Wall Complete

Bananas in Lower Clearing July 27, 2009

First Bananas July 27, 2009

Six Terraced Walls Viewed from Below

Front Walkways Being Formed

Guest Room Kitchen Backsplash

Guest Room Bathroom Sink

Guest Room Bathroom Shower

Kitchen in Great Room

Kitchen Island and Backsplash

Solid Monkeypod Desk in Office

Epoxy Coating on Garage Floor

Ricky Working on North End of Third Terraced Wall

Pebble Shower Pan in Office

Bananas Continuing to Grow

Master Bathroom Under Construction

Master Bathroom Floor Tile

Twins Craig and Dean Working on Lanai Railing

Solid Monkeypod Desk in Office

Glass Vessel Sink in Office Bathroom

Glass Artist Tom Trottier and the Sandblasted Front Doors

Sandblasted Front Doors at Night

Front Doors from Outside

Sandblasted Main Hallway Door

Satellite Dishes Below Master Bedroom

Main Entry and Inlaid Humpback Whales

Great Room and Kitchen

Master Bath Tub and Shower

Great Room with TV and Fireplace

Main Lanai Viewed from Great Room

Great Room and Kitchen

Great Room with TV and Fireplace

Turtle Inlay in Breezeway

Master Bathroom Sinks and Avi Kiriaty Artwork

Guest Room LCD Flat Screen HD TV

Great Room LED Flat Screen HD TV and Speakers

Last of Driveway Poured

Terraced Walls Viewed from Below

Stairs Off Guest Lanai

Blue Rock Wall in Front

House Viewed From Street October 23, 2009

Painted Stainless Steel Metal Art on Front of House

Great Room Torn Up Again for Ceiling Repair

First Plantains Ready to Pick

Repainting Master Bedroom

Columns Under House Getting Textured

Retaining Wall Getting Textured

Blue Rock Walls in Front of House

Wood Storage for Wood Fired Pizza Oven

Blue Rock Walls and Fire Pit

Fire Pit in Front Under Construction

Blue Rock Stairs in Front Under Construction

Blue Rock Fire Pit Almost Done

Blue Rock Fire Pit Done

Front Blue Rock Walls Almost Done

Master Bathroom Being Painted

Front Walkways Acid Stained and Sealed

Front Walkways Acid Stained and Sealed

Side Walkways Acid Stained and Sealed

Ricky's Long Wall from Driveway to Barn

House Viewed From Street January 5, 2010

Tea Room by Edward Gordon on Fireplace in Dining Room

Terraced Walls with Stairs Viewed from Below

Office Bathroom Painted January 13, 2010

Master Bedroom Painted January 17, 2010

Master Bathroom Painted January 17, 2010

Master Bathroom Painted January 17, 2010

Landscaping in front of Guest Room

Landscaping along Driveway February 6, 2010

LED Solar Landscaping Lights at Dusk

House Blessing March 20, 2010

House Blessing March 20, 2010

House Blessing March 20, 2010

House Blessing March 20, 2010

House Blessing March 20, 2010

Master Bedroom Drapes and Full Moon over Haleakala

Top Pond Dug April 30, 2010

Top Pond, Bridge, and Stream

Stream and Bottom Pond Dug

Bottom Pond Dug April 30, 2010

Biofilter Dug April 30, 2010

Biofilter and Top Pond

House Viewed From Street May 10, 2010

House and Barn at Night May 11, 2010

Koa Trees on Slope Above House

Neighbor George Kahumoku Jr. Helping Harvest Taro

Outdoor Wood-Fired Pizza Oven

Blue Rock Veneer on Pizza Oven

Blue Rock Veneer on Pizza Oven Chimney

Completed Outdoor Pizza Oven

Walls and Path above Pizza Oven

House Viewed From Street October 9, 2010

Clouds Reflecting of Water November 3, 2010

Nine Monkeypod Trees Planted Along Path to Barn

First Fire in Outdoor Pizza Oven

Hawaiian Girl Oil Painting

Lawai Fern Planted along Driveway

Lawai Fern Planted along Driveway

Lawai Fern Planted along Driveway

Taro Growing on Top Rock Terrace

Master Bedroom with Jai Lu Painting

Master Bathroom Viewed from Bedroom

Master Bathroom Panorama

Master Bathroom Panorama

Four Erics in Front of House Panorama

Dusk From Main Lanai Panorama

Moonlight Through Clouds

Moonrise Panorama

Moonrise Through Clouds

Sunrise From Main Lanai

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Panoramic View of House and Barn.  February, 2011

Panoramic View of House and Barn.  September, 2012

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ATV Ride 2

Gate Layout

Grading Progress (Apr. 2008)

Grading Progress 2 (Apr. 2008)

Foundation Late May, 2008

Walking Around Foundation

Foundation from Top of Piers

Driveway from Lower Clearing

Location of First Water Tank

Canoe On Property

Lower Clearing June 2008

Garage Retaining Wall

Building Site in June 2008

Building Site in June 2008

Building Site in July 2008

Framing Status July 2008

Electrical Trench July 2008

ATV Ride 3

Video of Work in Lower Clearing

View Side of House

Framing Status August 2008

Roof Framing Up

Posts Under House

Sept. 1 House Walk Through

House From Street

Pouring Garage Slab

Pouring Garage Slab

House From Street

Sept. 19 House Walk Through

Septic and Lower Lot Work

Septic Tank and Leech Field

House From Street

Grubbing for Blue Rock Walls

Sept. 24 House Walk Through

House Walk Through

House From Street

Time Lapse Video

House Walk Through

Area Above House

Grading Around Driveway

Grading Around Driveway

ATV Ride 4

Workshop Staking

Workshop Staking from Front

Workshop Staking from Above

Workshop Staking from Back

House with Drywall Up

Wide Angle Walkthrough

Second Blue Rock Wall

Second Wall Wide Angle

Looking Around from Driveway

Outside Painted Inside Primered

Pouring Lower Driveway

Pouring Lower Driveway

Pouring Lower Driveway

Pouring Lower Driveway

Long Lower Driveway

Layout of Ponds in Front

Footing for Retaining Wall

Blue Rock Walls Backfilled

House From Street

Third Blue Rock Wall

Copper Gutter Installation

Copper Gutter Installation

House Walkthrough 6/15/09

House Walkthrough 7/3/09

House Walkthrough 7/12/09

House Walkthrough 7/25/09

Six Terraced Walls From Below

House Walkthrough 8/9/09

House Walkthrough 8/19/09

House Blessing 3/20/10

ATV Ride Around Property

Clouds Through the Window

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to build a house, a beautiful one,
i just do not need land and nails
not just wood, and grass
not just beams and roofs, for they

are but necessities, projections of
the house upon a hill
of the mind,

to build a house, one needs the soul
of the home,
the words of memories, the gutters
of our emotions,

unlike you, my house requires the fences
and walls
keeping away the ill winds
of publicity, the rumors of who i was,

a slope, the steep one, inclined
towards no other
than the whiteness of the sky

— Ric S. Bastasa