Since the trees were alive and healthy, it was considered an "act of God" and our neighbor was responsible for getting the trees off his house and repairing he damage.

Rentals require to have good cash reserves so make sure you have healthy savings. 

Have about $30k skin in the game.

This does not prohibit raising capital from friends and family (on a less formal basis).Most banks are trying to get away from allowing you to finance 100% of a property so that you have at least some skin in the game, as far as I know.

Mainly I just want to do the right thing and build a healthy relationships.  

How would I go about finding local investors in the area to partner up with (Boots on the Ground with skin in the game)?

No skin off your back and she feels safe to live there.2) Tell her you will be happy to purchase a new refrigerator for the unit and charge her a leasehold improvement. 

You would be more comfortable knowing your children are with a sitter that personally has children, that are healthy, smart and well behaved. 

I am still relatively inexperienced so how much skin in the game will a typical hard money lender require for a loan?

Its a common belief that eating out in Hawaii consistently is actually CHEAPER than cooking healthy food from a grocery store.