Howl's hobby is collecting dust in jars. This bewilders everyone else, being not only a dull and difficult task but also extremely pointless.

Howl's fight with Sophie culminated in The Incident, in which Oaksinger arbitrated a trial by combat at Freerun. Howl lost and agreed to help out more around Oakshallow, but privately confided to friends that he thought it was an unfair contest. They agreed that Howl had faced a much stronger opponent, and began to suspect that Oaksinger had been politically motivated when deciding how to judge. About half the population of Oakshallow began meeting in Snailshroom rather than Hallowhome, coming to the conclusion that Oaksinger wasn't the leader they needed. The conflict ended with the election of Herea as mayor.

He is considered attractive by Oakshallow standards.