Casey and Shae Goepel

While their beautiful and sustainable home is a model for community efficiency, Casey and Shae did not always have such comforts. Previously, the couple lived in tents, even through the birth of their first child. With their second child on the way, they decided that constructing a home was necessary for their family. Casey said, “I didn’t know how to build a house exactly, but I knew I could figure it out. My family is full of builders, as is my circle of friends. For anything I wasn’t sure about, I would consult my father, friends, people at the hardware store, or good ole Google.”

Living off the grid also means Casey and Shae do not have access to public water. They get their water from a well using a DC solar pump. While their stove is propane, the majority of the house is powered by their six photovoltaic panels on the roof. The couple often opts for energy-efficiency over average household items, but they still have a TV, a computer, and everything else that one typically finds in a home. Keeping with their trend of sustainability, their outdoor bathroom consists of a composting toilet and a shower under a tree of flowers. The inside-outside style home works perfectly with the Hawaiian lifestyle. The family maintains a garden of avocados, mangos, lychees, and so much more.