Snapshot Gallery: A First Look at Building Hawaii

Get a behind-the-scenes peek at the HGTV series Building Hawaii, and meet hosts and island visioneers Tyler and Diandra Dickinson.

By: David L. Haynes

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Island Skies

Red skies at night are a a sailor's delight, and sunsets like this are just one of the visual treats that Hawaii natives Tyler and Diandra Dickinson get to enjoy on a regular basis.

Meet Tyler and Diandra Dickinson

Tyler and Diandra espouse the island life and are building a business -- Dickinson General Construction -- that's dedicated to helping other islanders achieve their home dreams.

Gone Fishin'

Tyler takes a break from construction duties to do some angling in the azure seas surrounding Hawaii's Big Island.

Island Magic

Empower Tools

Diandra, caught here on-camera as she's doing some cabinet work, is no stranger to building and renovation. She helped her father with work on construction sites from a young age.

Another Day in Paradise

Tyler Dickinson cuts decking material for the creation of a new lanai for a home in Kona.

Precious Cargo

Diandra, with daughter Payton Dickinson

Project Management

Diandra makes a quick call to check on some cabinets being shipped from the mainland.

Under Construction

Tyler stands in front of some of his ongoing handiwork on the massive new lanai.

Meet the Homeowners, Scott and Dana

Scott and Dana Ast, two of Tyler and Diandra's new clients, have a small home in a lovely location, but they want to expand with a two-level lanai that will help them take better advantage of their outdoor surroundings.

The Ast Project, BEFORE

The lush wild vegetation that thrives in parts of Hawaii can quickly turn an untended backyard into a jungle.

The Ast Project, AFTER

Thinned out vegetation and some new landscaping highlight the expanded two-level lanai that provides a total 600 square feet of outdoor living space.

The Ast Project, BEFORE

The Ast Project, AFTER

Volcanic rock and well selected tropical plantings form the basis for the landscaping.

Firm Footing

Tyler installs some durable composite decking for the lanai's new flooring.

Supervisory Personnel

Payton Dickinson (foreground) helps ensure that the construction stays on track and on schedule.

Naturally Derived

A hollowed tree stump works just fine as a planter for a large jade plant. Indigenous materials like the tree stump and lava stone are integral to the deliberately naturalistic approach to the landscaping that draws on a strong connection with nature.

Native Flora

This dwarf pink lemon tree proved to be a challenge to transplant. Lime trees were also incorporated into the backyard plantings.

Work in Progress

Work Completed

Adding a second tier to the lanai essentially doubled the home's usable outdoor living space.

Upstairs, Downstairs

Lava-rock lined gravel pathways, some creative landscaping and a spacious new deck helped transform this formerly overgrown backyard into a cloistered retreat.

Simple Perfection

The new addition provides a space that's ideal for outdoor entertaining or relaxing. It also increased the home's resale value by an estimated $25,000.

Onward to the Next Adventure

Tyler and Diandra get ready for work on a new house in the upcountry region of the Big Island.

Meet the Homeowners, Jim and Cindy

With help from Tyler and Diandra, Jim and Cindy Chickles are building their new home in the rolling hills of Hawaii's Big Island.

The Chickles Project, BEFORE

The Chickles want their new home to have an outdoor patio for enjoying the picturesque views of the surrounding green hills. They also want plenty of skylights, including one in the master bedroom to give the impression of sleeping beneath the stars.

The Chickles Project: Living Room, BEFORE

The Chickles Project: Living Room, AFTER

The new great room features an open design and opens onto a sleek new kitchen with natural wood cabinets.

The Chickles Project: Living Room, AFTER

Kitchen, AFTER

The new kitchen is outfitted with a generous island, stainless appliances, plenty of counter space and Madagascar blue granite countertops.

Master Bedroom, AFTER

The bedroom is painted in a soothing pale green and, true to the homeowners wishes, features a large skylignt.

Picture Perfect

The backyard view from the Chickles' new patio

Hang Loose

Diandra and Tyler flash a familiar Hawaiian gesture, the shaka sign -- a.k.a. "hang loose" -- which was adopted by the island's surfer culture and is generally associated with a spirit of friendship, harmony and peace.

Building Hawaii

Snapshot Gallery: A First Look at Building Hawaii

Shop This Look

Island Skies

Meet Tyler and Diandra Dickinson

Gone Fishin'

Island Magic

Empower Tools

Another Day in Paradise

Precious Cargo

Project Management

Under Construction

Meet the Homeowners, Scott and Dana

The Ast Project, BEFORE

The Ast Project, AFTER

The Ast Project, BEFORE

The Ast Project, AFTER

Firm Footing

Supervisory Personnel

Naturally Derived

Native Flora

Work in Progress

Work Completed

Upstairs, Downstairs

Simple Perfection

Onward to the Next Adventure

Meet the Homeowners, Jim and Cindy

The Chickles Project, BEFORE

The Chickles Project: Living Room, BEFORE

The Chickles Project: Living Room, AFTER

The Chickles Project: Living Room, AFTER

Kitchen, AFTER

Master Bedroom, AFTER

Picture Perfect

Hang Loose

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