The pavilion has mostly been a project for me and the Hired Hand. When we erected the posts and had to attach the heavy 16’ long metal-and-wood beams we enlisted the additional help of our favorite Handyman, who also built the garage and has helped with many other projects around the compound.
The roof was a bit more challenging. We assembled the roof on the ground in four sections. That saved us from having to crawl around on top of it attaching the metal (aluminium) roofing, but meant that we had panels that were up to 16 feet long and metal clad that had to be lifted up on top of the 8’ high frame (a 10’ lift from ground level), then held in place tilted at the appropriate angle until they could be attached to the frame and each other. It seemed an unlikely task to perform with just the three of us. HA was away on a hike when the Handyman was available, so we ended up enlisting the assistance of our makai neighbor (I was intending to ask her husband, but he was out and she enthusiastically volunteered. Mahalo, S!)
Thanks to the skill and expertise of the Hand and the Handyman, and the invaluable assistance of Neighbor S and HA, the roof went up faster than I had feared might be the case. HA came home about halfway through, S was able to leave, and we got the whole roof installed just as it started to rain.
There are still braces and brackets and other structural components to be installed (it wouldn’t survive a nearby hurricane right now) and I have mosquito netting coming tomorrow. I then want to equip the screens with magnetic closures. Still, it’s looking very much like a finished pavilion! Everything left can be done solo, if necessary.
—2p
addendum 20250811@17:37
What better way to enjoy dinner than on my new pavilion, protected by my Thermacell mosquito repeller.
addendum 20250814@07:48
I think the view of the pavilion from the pasture looks good, too.
