Talk Story with an Advertiser: Yurts of Hawai‘i

People are becoming more aware of their own footprints on this planet and realizing that it’s time to simplify, time to take back control, and time to eliminate debilitating debt and the stress associated with it. Yurts are a great way to get on that path.

Yurts of Hawai‘i provides customized yurts, as well as full construction management through their licensed professionals. They are the only licensed yurt company in all of Hawai‘i. They have made it their business to provide a top quality product, as well as help residents navigate the often stressful process of construction and permitting.

Melissa Fletcher started Yurts of Hawai‘i eight years ago when looking for an affordable way to build a permitable home. She was attending UH Hilo, finishing her degree in psychology/art therapy and was working with the homeless populations on Hawai‘i Island for her practicum requirements. She realized that yurts were a credible solution for many island residents (as well as herself, because she felt she was paying too much in rent!). After proving the engineering to the county building department, Yurts of Hawai‘i was born.

Melissa and her husband, Jupiter Crosson, a third generation Hawai‘i Islander, built a yurt showroom in Volcano where people can see how well they work in varying climates. Melissa has faced many challenges over the years, from explaining what yurts are, to dispelling myths about the modern yurt. Their yurts are engineered to withstand up to 120 mph winds. There’s no mold because they are well ventilated. Yurts are an inspiring, beautiful space to live and/or work in.

Anyone who is interested in living simply would benefit from reading, A Handmade Life: In Search of Simplicity, by the late William Coperthwaite, Melissa and Jupiter’s favorite yurt guru.

Melissa says, “We’ve been blessed and are so grateful to have worked with many incredible people, including our families and Dan and Emma of Colorado Yurts.”

Currently, they are looking forward to the first yurt with Habitat for Humanity. The joint project is scheduled for 2014. It will be a residential yurt home for some lucky family chosen by the great team at West Hawai‘i Habitat for Humanity.

Yurts of Hawai‘i
Outside of Volcano Village on Hwy 11, just across from mile marker 23
808.968.1483
yurtshawaii@gmail.com
YurtsOfHawaii.com