What's the latest on Kapoho area eruption now? Any afterthoughts? (Hilo: houses, buying)

[terracore]

Here's a nice film of the 1960 Kapoho eruption:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BsIm7iodIs

Why people keep trying to move there, I do not know.

[RobertFisher]

Originally Posted by terracore

Here's a nice film of the 1960 Kapoho eruption:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BsIm7iodIs

Why people keep trying to move there, I do not know.

My goal is to own a waterfront property near tropical or sub-tropical zones. In US there aren't a lot of choices. Hawaii is my top consideration. And in Hawaii, only Puna is affordable to me.

Prior to the lava flow, the cheapest oceanfront deal I could find was 1 acre of land for $150K (land only, and very remote and hard to access, practically in a jungle). If it were around $100K I would've bought it. Now in the new reality, even if an oceanfront lot is covered by lava, or access cut off, as long as the price is reasonable reflecting the current condition I'd still buy it. I get satisfaction from owning such a property. If I have to take a boat to get there I will (not unlike I have to take a plane to get to Hawaii).

Since the eruption I had turned my attention to Philippines. Philippines is a real GEM... The American leaders who gave up Philippines to independence was pretty retarded I must say... Would've been nice (and very doable) to take a few islands in exchange for letting them go independent. Then the US would have so REAL NICE beach properties.

As it is now Philippines properties have their own unique challenges for foreign investors. The big one is govt does not allow direct foreign ownership of the land, just the house is OK. So I am still trying to figure it out. In the mean time I am keeping an eye on the developments in Hawaii.

[hotzcatz]

What about Samoa, Guam, etc.? They're U.S. Territories and should be easier than an entirely foreign country.

[Buckeye77]

Originally Posted by terracore

Here's a nice film of the 1960 Kapoho eruption:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BsIm7iodIs

Why people keep trying to move there, I do not know.

Awesome video - thanks for sharing.

[terracore]

"The American leaders who gave up Philippines to independence was pretty retarded I must say... Would've been nice (and very doable) to take a few islands in exchange for letting them go independent. Then the US would have so REAL NICE beach properties."

There have been recent efforts to make the Philippines a US state but none of them have gained any serious traction. Usually they revolve around some idea that their current government is an illegal occupation and they should be allowed to petition for statehood. It was more common when there were people who remembered being part of the USA fondly, but most of those people are gone now. It is noteworthy that their Independence Day celebrates their independence from Spain, not the USA.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/51st_state#Philippines

https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq...ate-annexation

Until recently Filipinos were allowed to join the US Navy:

https://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=43042

[dobanion]

About "lava property," there are two lots (as of the date of this posting) in Leilani for sale, right at the edge of the flow. Front of the lots are still fully accessible by paved road, and electrical lines are still there. From the street, all you see is rain forest. 2/3's of the way back, there's the edge of the 2018 flow.


For the daring, it'd be a interesting place to plop a house.

[RobertFisher]

Originally Posted by hotzcatz

What about Samoa, Guam, etc.? They're U.S. Territories and should be easier than an entirely foreign country.

I looked into all those places, even Puerto Rico as well. Guam and PR are fairly urbanized and prices are not cheap. American Samoa is a bit too far out of everything for me.

Central America have some cheaper oceanfront properties, but security is a concern.

I have come across a Florida property that is bay-front and leads into Gulf of Mexico; 1 acre land with a mobile home on it, it's a steal at just 150K. But I am weary of having to deal with the potential of hurricane repairs when I don't live there.

Puna, perhaps because of its raw state and the lava risk, turns out to have some of the most affordable warm weather oceanfront properties!

[terracore]

"If I have to take a boat to get there I will "

Most of the "oceanfront" lots in Puna (Big island in general) are dangerous high rocky cliffs with no water access. The ones that do have any sort of beach or safe water access are probably going to be 7 or 8 figures.

[hotzcatz]

Originally Posted by dobanion

About "lava property," there are two lots (as of the date of this posting) in Leilani for sale, right at the edge of the flow. Front of the lots are still fully accessible by paved road, and electrical lines are still there. From the street, all you see is rain forest. 2/3's of the way back, there's the edge of the 2018 flow.


For the daring, it'd be a interesting place to plop a house.

The sugar plantations used to have small houses that could be picked up and moved every few years to follow the cane crop. If I were to do anything with Leilani, it would be with a moveable house. HOWEVER, Leilani has CC&Rs which would probably prohibit such a solution.


Actually, buying those lots and making them into a parking lot for the folks who want to visit the lava may be a cash flow opportunity. Your neighbors would probably howl, though.

[hotzcatz]

Originally Posted by RobertFisher

I looked into all those places, even Puerto Rico as well. Guam and PR are fairly urbanized and prices are not cheap. American Samoa is a bit too far out of everything for me.

Central America have some cheaper oceanfront properties, but security is a concern.

I have come across a Florida property that is bay-front and leads into Gulf of Mexico; 1 acre land with a mobile home on it, it's a steal at just 150K. But I am weary of having to deal with the potential of hurricane repairs when I don't live there.

Puna, perhaps because of its raw state and the lava risk, turns out to have some of the most affordable warm weather oceanfront properties!

Plus, Puna has Punatics, that may have something to do with the prices as well.