06 July: Construction begins with the arrival of a power shovel to prepare the site. Three truckloads of dirt/sand were removed. -- Swanson House Construction on Maui, 1999

08 July: After the excess dirt/sand was removed the final site grading took place. It was interesting to watch the surveyors and shovel operators working together to ensure the correct elevations and grading. -- Swanson House Construction on Maui, 1999

20 July: Grading complete, nicely level, then the backhoes arrived to trench for underground utilities. This view is of water lines and the main electrical feed.

NOTE: Concrete was poured Thursday, 22 July. -- Swanson House Construction on Maui, 1999

02 August: The first floor framing is completed and the joists and sub-flooring are installed. The tall section to the right is the entryway/stairwell. -- Swanson House Construction on Maui, 1999

02 August: Same stage of construction, but this photograph is taken from the street. -- Swanson House Construction on Maui, 1999

03 August: No more climbing ladders or shimmying up the side of the frame to go upstairs! These specially built stairs are capable of going up and down at the same time... This view looks from the entry landing up to the second floor. The stairs to the ground floor are on the left. -- Swanson House Construction on Maui, 1999

03 August: All second floor joists and flooring have been installed. The framers are starting to load and stage the lumber for the second floor walls. -- Swanson House Construction on Maui, 1999

04 August: This was taken at 7:15 A.M. as Sandi was heading to work. The walls were ready the previous afternoon, but it was too windy to put them up. So, first thing in the morning... -- Swanson House Construction on Maui, 1999

05 August: Wow! Lot's of work done. It's really beginning to look like a house now. -- Swanson House Construction on Maui, 1999

06 August: With the completion of the second floor framing the roof trusses are installed. -- Swanson House Construction on Maui, 1999

08 August: The VIEW!!! This is what it's all about. The large opening on the left is the sliding door to the lanai, and the opening on the right is a living room window. -- Swanson House Construction on Maui, 1999

08 August: This one really takes the cake! This view is from the master bathroom and approximates the scene from "THE THRONE"! We will probably be reading less and enjoying the view more -- Swanson House Construction on Maui, 1999

13 August: Completion of rough framing! We have a house-shaped object. Of course, it's somewhat drafty... -- Swanson House Construction on Maui, 1999

13 August: ...but with lots of natural light! This view is of the living/dining room cathedral ceiling. -- Swanson House Construction on Maui, 1999

13 August: These should help cut down on the draft, yet still let some of the light in. Neat, a whole pallet of windows and doors. -- Swanson House Construction on Maui, 1999

13 August: This view is from the living room toward the kitchen. The room behind the kitchen will be our "den". -- Swanson House Construction on Maui, 1999

16 August: Now it's time to install the roof sheathing. The sheathing boards have been "staged" on the roof ready for installation. This photo was taken first thing in the morning. -- Swanson House Construction on Maui, 1999

16 August: Roof Sheathing Starts -- Swanson House Construction on Maui, 1999

16 and 17 August: This photo and the previous one were taken a day apart, at the end of each work day, and show the start and completion of roof sheathing installation. The photo also shows the shingles loaded on the roof and the start of the vapor barrier "wrapping". -- Swanson House Construction on Maui, 1999

17 August: A Hawaiian tradition is to remove your shoes before entering a home. This built-in bench on our front porch makes that easier to do. -- Swanson House Construction on Maui, 1999

19 August: After two day's work, the roof is complete with the installation of shingles and flashing. Like our blue roof? -- Swanson House Construction on Maui, 1999

18 August: The first floor has been moisture barrier wrapped and windows installed. -- Swanson House Construction on Maui, 1999

18 August: Same day, different view... -- Swanson House Construction on Maui, 1999

19 August: What a difference a day makes!!! We now have siding... The hole in the wall is a precut for an air conditioning unit. -- Swanson House Construction on Maui, 1999

20 August: Another day and the upstairs is completely "wrapped" & downstairs sided. Windows are in all around. -- Swanson House Construction on Maui, 1999

Second Story Siding -- Swanson House Construction on Maui, 1999

23 & 24 August: Now you see framing--now you don't... Yikes, did those guys put nails in our brand-new roof for their scaffolding??? Guess it's time for another fax to the builder! -- Swanson House Construction on Maui, 1999

24 August: Completely framed, all windows in place, secure from the ravages of a Hawaiian winter!?! Sorry, we just couldn't help ourselves... -- Swanson House Construction on Maui, 1999

25 August: What is it? "It" is a contractor who is doing final frame preparation. After all the holes were drilled for plumbing & electric, he is sealing and treating the exposed wood against nasties such as rot and termites. Nice guy to have around... -- Swanson House Construction on Maui, 1999

25 August: Rough plumbing installation... -- Swanson House Construction on Maui, 1999

25 August: ...and electrical. This photo shows the prewiring for our computer "network". -- Swanson House Construction on Maui, 1999

30 August: More rough electrical. These are the ceiling "bullet" lights for the kitchen island. Note that the insulation has been installed... -- Swanson House Construction on Maui, 1999

01 September: Drywall deliver! Stacks & stacks of the stuff. -- Swanson House Construction on Maui, 1999

03 September: Drywall installed and taped. This is the view of the kitchen area taken from the living room. -- Swanson House Construction on Maui, 1999

03 September: Here's "mud" in your eye. Drywall texturing "mud" by the bucketfull. -- Swanson House Construction on Maui, 1999

07 September: Meanwhile, outside the front steps and porch railings are being installed. -- Swanson House Construction on Maui, 1999

03 September: Drywall installed and taped. This is the view of the kitchen area taken from the living room. -- Swanson House Construction on Maui, 1999

10 September: A few days later, the painters have come and gone, and the kitchen is all cleaned up and ready for... -- Swanson House Construction on Maui, 1999

15 September: ...cabinets!!! -- Swanson House Construction on Maui, 1999

15 September: Sealing all nail holes and cracks against the ravages of an ocean environment. There is a price to pay for the view! -- Swanson House Construction on Maui, 1999

17 September: And the primer coat goes on. -- Swanson House Construction on Maui, 1999

23 September: The garage door gets installed! -- Swanson House Construction on Maui, 1999

25 September: Door Country??? All the interior doors lined up in the garage ready for their final coat of semi-gloss. -- Swanson House Construction on Maui, 1999

25 September: The front porch with its primer coat. Ready for the final color! -- Swanson House Construction on Maui, 1999

26 September: Finish plumbing includes everything including, dare we say it, the kitchen sink, AND... -- Swanson House Construction on Maui, 1999

26 September: ...other vitally important (ahem) accouterments! -- Swanson House Construction on Maui, 1999

27 September: The kitchen gets finished. Stove vent hood is in (yes, they forgot the vent...). Now awaiting appliances. -- Swanson House Construction on Maui, 1999

30 September: The tubs and shower tile gets installed. -- Swanson House Construction on Maui, 1999

30 September: Now you can find us... Come on out, the weather is just grand! And, keep in mind, the whales will be arriving anon. (they seem to show up off our house just after New Years and have stayed as late as May). -- Swanson House Construction on Maui, 1999

01 October: Most of the exterior paint is on and the trim is getting its final coat. -- Swanson House Construction on Maui, 1999

UPDATES: Swanson House Construction on Maui, 1999 -- This block of text is reserved for updates to our house status, that took place after the final construction photos were taken.

27 September 1999 As of this afternoon the plumber is wrapping up the final plumbing installation, the electrician finished his work on Saturday. The finish carpenter "nailed" his job yesterday (yes, on Sunday!) We are already starting to get some "punch list" items, such as painting flaws and so forth.

05 October 1999 We are in the agonizingly slow period where there are 1001 small things to be done, yet none of them seem to be getting done. The plumber and electrician are finished, the house is wired and has running water. Ceramic time is in, but not yet grouted.

Today the painters were touching up the interior. Carpeting is scheduled for installation later in the week, and final cleanup is set for Friday with our first walk through on Saturday.

If all goes well we should get the keys on Friday, 15 October [see later]. Great timing, Bob can move our stuff over the weekend while Sandi is tending to Coast Guard Auxiliary business on Oahu...

11 November 1999: We are now into the "punch list" mode. Moved in, and abandoned the rental down the hill. [Notice the long gap between completion and our move-in. This was due to a legal matter that had to be hashed out.] Almost all appliances are in. We are about to install a clothes washer (the appliance place "lost" it). We have a contractor putting in a stone fence. That should help keep the hill from dumping sand onto the back wall of the house. Soon, we will have solar water heating.

7 February 2001: Just a little update: House complete, most of the "punch list" items got some attention, but as usual, not nearly enough. Appliances are happy, except our chest freezer, which just died (off to Sears again!). The freezer was about 17 years old, so no crying. Stone wall is beautiful (thanks Aseli!), but the sand has not yielded well to any landscaping. Growing some roses, especially miniatures (this area is not rose-friendly). Solar water heating works great (what do you expect with 365 sunny days a year?).