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I live in a DIY home off-grid in the rainforest in Hawaii with my family… here's how we survive and why I'd never return to modern living (despite the lava and earthquakes)
'Choosing to move off the grid gave us mental and financial freedom'.
So says Zoe Durant, a 28-year-old mother and content creator who lives in the eastern rainforest on the Big Island of Hawai'i with her husband Brian and her two daughters, Zaina and Isla.
The family is completely detached from modern reality and lives on a one-acre homestead in an 'untouched jungle'. Zoe and Brian poured $70,000 (£54,000) into their 'dream life' and built their 16x20ft small home from scratch. They now spend their days waking up to the sounds of ducks and chickens, dancing on the beach and trading food with their neighbours.
Zoe, who documents her life on the farm on her TikTok account (@junglefairyland), reveals how she saves 70 per cent of her income living off the grid and no longer needs to worry about the cost of living or bills.
She told MailOnline Travel why she thinks off-grid life beats 'civilisation' hands down - though she does have to watch out for lava flow from a nearby volcano, daily earthquakes and pesky mongoose.
Zoe Durant, a 28-year-old mother and content creator, lives in the eastern rainforest on the Big Island of Hawai'i with her husband, Brian, and her two daughters, Zaina and Isla. She says: 'Choosing to move off the grid gave us mental and financial freedom'
Zoe documents her life on her farm on her TikTok account - @junglefairyland. She spends her days waking up to the sounds of ducks and chickens, dancing on the beach and trading food with their neighbours
What inspired you to choose an off-grid lifestyle?
Zoe says: 'The idea of being away from our kids, working a nine to five, paying bills every month, retiring at 65 only to enjoy freedom at an old age was just not our goal. This way, we can live a simple life and not have to work ourselves into the ground or spend priceless time away from our children.'
What does a typical day look like for you and your family on the homestead?
'There is no typical day. It's constantly changing,' Zoe says. She explains she usually makes 'day in the life' TikTok videos and the rest of the day is spent as 'fun time' with the kids. She says: 'Their favourite thing is to dance on the beach in the drum circle with other kids.'
How did you build the homestead?
Zoe reveals her homestead sits near the active Kilauea volcano in Lava Zone 1, the area most affected by its lava flow.
They purchased their lot in cash. Zoe says: 'The risk is too high for banks to let you pull out loans for building and buying. We could have built it cheaper, but we wanted to do it right and not have to go back and fix things.'
While building their house, the pair relied on information they found online. Zoe adds: 'We didn't use heavy equipment to clear and build. Our hand tools were battery-powered, and we used a machete to clear a space for our house and driveway. It dumps heavy rain every day, and that made it a bit difficult while building.'
Zoe reveals that her DIY homestead sits near the active Kilauea volcano in Lava Zone 1, the area most affected by its lava flow
While building their house, Zoe and Brian relied on information they found online. Zoe says: 'We didn't use heavy equipment to clear and build. Our hand tools were battery-powered, and we used a machete to clear a space for our house and driveway'
The couple spend around $1,000 (£778) a month. Their biggest expense? 'The kids'
The family's shower unit, revealed on a TikTok house tour
What do you love the most about living off-grid?
She says: 'The peacefulness. The nature sounds. It sets a beautiful tone to everything you do.'
How do you manage the financial aspects of living off-grid?
Zoe explains that they have cut their living expenses by around 70 per cent and now spend around $1,000 (£778) a month.
She says: 'My partner is a handyman, and I make money as a content creator. Our biggest expenses are the kids. It's nice not having to worry about so many unnecessary bills. We can save a lot of money this way and put our money towards quality of life. We have money for new experiences, our future and if anything breaks we can replace it without worrying about other bills.'
How do you deal with any medical emergencies?
The nearest hospital is an hour and a half drive from their house, but if there's a serious issue 'you have to be flown to another island [Oahu]'.
Zoe adds: 'I was diagnosed with stage four colon cancer when we were in the middle of buying our tiny house.
'It made things harder, but I firmly believe that being submerged in the jungle was the most healing place to be. I was devastated because I was given six months to live a year and a half ago. We had just started building our dream life and were ready to try for baby number three. It was a long year but I defied the odds, survived and beat it.'
Zoe explains that living expenses have been cut by around 70 per cent by living off-grid. Pictured above is their outhouse/kitchen
Pictured above is their bathroom in the process of being built
Pictured left is Zoe and Brian's bedroom. In the righthand image, her dog and cat in the living room
Zoe is pictured left above making bread in her kitchen. The right image shows her dancing in her living room
What are some of the biggest challenges you've faced living off-grid?
Living next to an active volcano, Zoe explains there are 'lava tubes all over the lot' - a natural tunnel formed by flowing lava beneath the hardened surface of a lava flow, which can continue to carry molten lava.
She says: 'If you're not careful with your steps you might just fall into one. Steam comes out of these tubes too. It's really noticeable when it's raining.'
They're also exposed to the elements and have to navigate earthquakes, which happen almost daily, torrential rain and severe storms, which can cause damage to their house.
How do you generate electricity?
Zoe says: 'We harvest solar power. Our panels can run our house while simultaneously charging our battery banks. We have plenty of power to run all the typical household appliances that people on the grid have. We started with a small setup and upgraded to more panels and better batteries over time.'
Living next to an active volcano, Zoe explains there are 'lava tubes all over the lot'. She says: 'If you're not careful with your steps you might just fall into one'
Zoe shares the homestead with nine ducks, three roosters, 15 hens, four cats and one pitbull rottweiler
Where do you get your food from?
Zoe says they get most of their food from land or trading with their neighbours. They have connections for fresh milk, cheese, beef, chicken, lamb and fish and trade the eggs their hens lay.
They also grow their own papayas, avocados, turmeric, bananas, lilikoi [passion fruit], and guava. She says: 'The only thing we buy at the store are our grains and treating kids from time to time with an ice cream or candy bar.'
Have you ever come across any dangerous animals?
Alongside her husband and children, Zoe shares the homestead with nine ducks, three roosters, 15 hens, four cats and one pitbull rottweiler.
She says that she has lost quite a few of her farm animals to mongoose, adding: 'They are a huge problem out here and the smell of compost attracts them. We have to try very hard to outsmart them. We spend most of our day outside and guard the farm.'
Would you ever return to life on the grid?
'Absolutely not,' she says.
'The cost of living for being on the grid vs off the grid doesn't even closely compare. We have every amenity that on-grid people have and it's more reliable.'
What advice would you give to anyone considering living off the grid?
Zoe says: 'Go for it. Learn to let go of materials and unlearn all the nonsense that society is trying to convince you is normal. At first, it's tough, it's a huge shift but so worth it.'