Want to Move to Volcano area on the Big Island!! (Honolulu: appointed, real estate)

[pacha]

Hello from Honolulu. My husband and I would like to make a move to the Volcano area of the Big Island? We stayed at a bed and breakfast last week and fell in love with the lush foliage and beauty. We are looking at being sustainable, preferably growing our own foods, living off the land.

I have spoken to some of the people that live in the area and they have told me they love living in the volcano area. I just want to make a sound decision, my husband has wheezing from time to time so I was thinking how bad does the vog get up there and what are your general ideas about moving up there?

My husband and I are originally from Honolulu.

Thank you for your help.

Aloha.

[leilaniguy]

It's a beautiful area, but recently the new gas eruption from Halemaumau has caused breathing problems there when Kona winds blow. It isn't as bad down here in Pahoa, but we occasionally cough and wake with runny eyes.

[Kohala Coast tennis]

As a Realtor I am trying to become knowledgable about vog and it isn't easy. I've spent hours on the phone with the Dept of Health and the American Lung Association (Honolulu). I was directed to the Hawaii USGS sites, and others which show the daily levels of vog components (such as sulphur dioxide and particulant matter). While I am an educated person, I need someone to interpret the raw data. I haven't been able to find that someone.

I discovered the state legislature appointed Bob Herkes (D-Ka'u) as Chair of the Vog Committee Hawaii House Blog: Big Island Residents need help with VOG impact. I email Bob and asked to be added to the committee email list so I can follow their work. I received no relpy. I read in the paper that the committee is due to publish a report in January.

Is there anybody in the local scientific community who can comment?

Other that the vog issue, Volcano Village is a beautiful place. It's got it's own golf course and winery. Talk about heaven! If you get a place with an ohana keeping it full of overnight guests from Kona who are visiting the park can provide extra income. I can provide referrals for you if the ohana is super charming and includes heating.

[cynmkolohe]

Even during times of Southwest winds, it's hard to predict what areas will actually be impacted by the Vog. Geography and changes in elevation play a part and it's just hard to call.

I've been advising my clients who are interested in Volcano to try to keep an eye on weather reports and actually take a drive up that way when the winds are blowing from the south. Going through that process does two things: it makes you aware of how variable the wind patterns really are and also, if you can make the drive up HWY 11 during a time when the trade winds are not blowing, you can see where the Vog is actually present.

I've read some reports that make a distinction between SO2 concentration and the Vog. One I read recently was pointing out that by the time the Vog reaches Kona-side, the actual concentration of SO2 is much less because of other chemical reactions that occur in the atmosphere.

As always, this is a matter for personal research for those who might be considering a move to the Big Island. Some people are more sensitive than others due to pre-existing conditions, so it's not something to take lightly. If the Vog is a major concern, focus your real estate search on the Hamakua coast and Hawi!

[cynmkolohe]

...wanted to add that there are several new properties available in the Volcano Golf & Country Club (VGCC) subdivision. This development has been in the works for quite a while and the listings were just released a short time ago. The subdivision has CC&Rs and some underground utilities--rare for East Hawaii. (Prices start at about 155K--lot sizes from 15,000 sq ft.)

DM for brochures, maps, etc.