a sad day for the tree-huggers...

well, in an effort to protect the building from eventually falling trees, we've gone ahead and cut two down. Tu'i agrees, they had to go, but it's a sad day for us tree-huggers. just one of the pitfalls of living in cyclone-area paradise... but, we'll use every last bit of the trees. we drank the young sweet green coconuts, lisa is weaving pola, they'll be cut into logs and made into stools with cedar seats, and as part of the facade for the bar. Una climbed up to tie the rope. then ben used the chainsaw to cut it down, while Soa, Tevita, Una, and Tu'i pulled the very heavy tree down onto the island, in the opposite direction from it's natural tendency to fall. there's nothing quite like the sound of a big heavy tree coming down... at least we'll use it all!

did you know that coconut trees are actually a grass?

sand bar

can you envision where the pola roofed (woven palm fronds) bar will be? it's where the big pile of white sand currently is... with a beautiful beach and sea view!

tampin' time

tampin' the soil so we can pour the floor next week. it rained last night, making it a bit of a challenge. but, once ben fixed the fuel hose and the electric starter, the tamper was off and walkin' away.

loved having Tu'i out at the island and helping for a few days this week! good times!

three tree house poles

the 3 poles for the tree house are up, making 5, including the 2 iron wood trees.
next we'll build the floor....

shells it is!

how to figure exactly where to put the 2nd post? frame it up, level it and measure it. now we can see how high the floor will be as well. remove framing, commence digging...!

pole erection!

first pole is in its hole!

the portion underground has had the bark removed and it's sitting atop and surrounded by patapata (coral rocks). then we poured a concrete collar around it, which, despite being covered by dirt, will get decorated with shells or something.

3 guys and 3 hours, that's a heavy pole! enjoyed this sun-shiny day!

bbq ring beam

filled some soil into the booths today, which will be tamped down so we can pour the floor.

how many guys does it take to install a form for the bbq ring beam? ;-)

bbq...

it's starting to take shape!