Should the government take by Eminent Domain Lava Zone 1 and 2? (Honolulu: house, buy)

[OpenD]

Originally Posted by McFrostyJ

Wouldn't that be extremely expensive? Plus, where would it stop? What if Mauna Loa or Hualālai start erupting? Would the government buy up properties in the lava's path then as well?

Yes, exactly right, in all regards.

First, in eminent domain "takings" a fair market price must be paid by the government, and even at the low-end of market prices before the June 27 flow began, to buy up whole subdivisions would require huge amounts of money.

Second, the state doesn't have huge amounts of money lying around with which to buy Lower Puna. Obviously. Nor is there any clear rationale for doing so.

Third, given how unpredictable lava flows are, the government buying anything today would not guarantee that lava would not threaten someplace else tomorrow. Ditto my previous point about there being no clear reason to do so.

[akpls]

OpenD is correct....by federal law, fair market value MUST be paid even when property is obtained through eminent domain. I have worked in the right of way profession for almost 30 years and we try to avoid eminent domain as much as humanly possible...it is time consuming and VERY expensive. The cost to buy out all of Zones 1 and 2 would be huge.

[Jonah K]

Originally Posted by whtviper1

With all this lava potentially advancing on Pahoa - it got me thinking, should the Federal Government or the State of Hawaii take by Eminent Domain Lava Zone 1 and 2? It seems to not make sense to have a town or residences in those areas.

Why not make it a national park area? Is there really a downside? Buy people out - make it public - and people can relocate.

Would impact the following:

Leilani Estates, Kapoho, Black Sand Beach, Nanawale Estates, Hawaiian Beaches, Hawaiian Shores, Hawaiian Parks, Kehena, Puna Beach Palisades, Kalapana Seaview Estates, Kaimu-Makena Houselots, and of course Pahoa.

Interesting idea -- it would provide some local attorneys with plenty of business for decades.

[whtviper1]

Originally Posted by akpls

The cost to buy out all of Zones 1 and 2 would be huge.

Take a guess - how much?

There aren't that many houses there - Lanai went for $600 million and didn't have an active volcano.

I bet the fair market value in Lava Zone 1 and 2 is a lot less than people think. Certainly less than $10 Billion - maybe closer to $1 Billion. Too much for the state to handle, but not a big deal for the federal government.

[whtviper1]

Originally Posted by Jonah K

Interesting idea -- it would provide some local attorneys with plenty of business for decades.

There might be a small number of holdouts - I bet most would take it.

Certainly all this volcanic activity couldn't have helped property value or the insurability of that property.

[J.vick]

Originally Posted by leilaniguy

I'm not going anywhere.

I'm on your side buddy!
They would have to drag my ass out of there!

[OpenD]

Originally Posted by J.vick

I'm on your side buddy!
They would have to drag my ass out of there!

Would you like that Rare, Medium Rare, Medium, Medium Well, or Well Done?

[whtviper1]

$9 million for temporary school.....it adds up.

State spending $9M for temporary school for lava-displaced kids - Hawaii News - Honolulu Star-Advertiser

[OpenD]

Originally Posted by Jonah K

Interesting idea -- it would provide some local attorneys with plenty of business for decades.

So, would that mean you could work from home in Pahoa?

[leilaniguy]

Originally Posted by OpenD

Would you like that Rare, Medium Rare, Medium, Medium Well, or Well Done?

This isn't funny at all OpenD, I'm sorry you think that way - your Karma.