Waikoblowa living questions (rental, buying a house, buying)

[OpenD]

Originally Posted by PukaFace

There's a lot of focus on Kilauea and people tend to forget that Mauna Loa is still active. Last eruption was 1984.

For that matter Mauna Kea and Hualalai are still active.

That's what the lava zones are for, to tell you what the estimated risk is for the immediate area. If you look at the lava zone map I posted above, all those areas showing Mauna Loa flow are zoned 3, 2, or 1.

[CyberCity]

And, Haleakala (Maui) is expected to erupt in the future also:

When asked about Hawaiian volcanoes, most people imagine the Island of Hawai`i and its eruptions at Kilauea or Mauna Loa volcanoes. But East Maui volcano has witnessed at least ten eruptions in the past 1,000 years, and numerous eruptions have occurred there in the past 10,000 years. Thus, East Maui's long eruptive history and recent activity indicate that the volcano will erupt in the future.

We've six active volcanoes in the state:

In the Hawaiian Islands, scientists consider six volcanoes to be active, including Haleakala; the Big Island's Hualalai, Mauna Loa, Mauna Kea and Kilauea; and the undersea volcano Loihi. Geophysicist Michael Poland said scientists consider volcanoes to be active if they have erupted since the last ice age about 10,000 to 15,000 years ago.

[terracore]

You do realize there is a lush Eastern side of the island, right?

[Ford Beebe]

Originally Posted by OpenD

For that matter Mauna Kea and Hualalai are still active.

That's what the lava zones are for, to tell you what the estimated risk is for the immediate area. If you look at the lava zone map I posted above, all those areas showing Mauna Loa flow are zoned 3, 2, or 1.

Not precisely.

Mauna Kea is considered "dormant." Same with Haleakala.

[CyberCity]

What is the difference between an active, erupting, dormant and extinct volcano?

An active volcano is a volcano that has had at least one eruption during the past 10,000 years. An active volcano might be erupting or dormant.

An erupting volcano is an active volcano that is having an eruption...

A dormant volcano is an active volcano that is not erupting, but supposed to erupt again.

An extinct volcano has not had an eruption for at least 10,000 years and is not expected to erupt again in a comparable time scale of the future.

On a scale of 1 to 9, with 1 = the most severity of hazard and 9 = the least severity of hazard, Waikoloa is in Zone 8. Zone 8 includes the lower slopes of Mauna Kea, Waimea, and Waikoloa. Most of this area has not been affected by lava flows for the past 10,000 years.

[KaraBenNemsi]

1. How do you enjoy the wind and keep your house clean?!
There's no answer to that besides keeping the windows closed and an AC on all the time. Not my way of living, but many do.

2. What suggestions/tips would you have for new home construction in this location?
Fire proof. Insulation against heat. High ceilings and focus on air flow. Video security. Know your neighbor.

3. We're having trouble getting information on future development (even from the Waikoloa Village Association), but we know that there are several new phases planned. What have you heard?
There's not much movement in that regard. That makes it a wild card.

4. Is the dusty wind difficult for people with asthma?
It might not be today for someone. But possibly further down the line with prolonged exposure.

5. Does anyone deliver pizza out here? (ha!)
If so, there's no guarantee that there will be one when you have your house build.

In general, keep in mind that the whole of Waikoloa is an artificial development. Now human settlement chose that location at any point in the last 1,000 years. So you are dependent on modern amenities: AC, water, dust and wild fire prevention, electricity, car, etc. Even if you want to grow things in your garden you are depending on the price/availability of water, which can be restricted or interrupted by the authorities. The acquifer in that region is overtaxed and is getting brackish. Wildfires are an increasing concern and your insurance rates will reflect it.

Renting out space to visitors and the proximity to beaches and their resorts are the driving factors for people to move to Waikoloa. If that's your thing, go for it.

[CyberCity]

Here are more opinions and additional experiences about Waikoloa Village, in red.

Originally Posted by KaraBenNemsi

1. How do you enjoy the wind and keep your house clean?!
There's no answer to that besides keeping the windows closed and an AC on all the time. Not my way of living, but many do.
My personal observations are that many folks get by quite happily without AC. But, there is a trade-off for enjoying natural cooling breezes, that tradeoff is dust in the house. Actually it is not even "dust", it is more like the finest dirt you've ever encountered. And if it is a very windy day or two, and you don't keep your house sealed with AC, you will have dust/finest-dirt leaving a gritty feeling on your hardwood floors and tables and counters. If it would bother you, Waikoloa Village is not the right place to live. But for others, it just means getting out the vacuum and mop for a floor cleaning after the winds stop, and a wet cloth for wiping off surfaces. Not really all that difficult to manage.

2. What suggestions/tips would you have for new home construction in this location?
Fire proof. Insulation against heat. High ceilings and focus on air flow. Video security. Know your neighbor.
Allow time up front to put everything in order, such as permits and approvals. Carefully check the lot location, because not all areas of Waikoloa Village enjoy the same features such as curbs and sidewalks. I'd not build on a busy street, and any knowledgeable realtor can steer you clear of those. And, I'd look at some of the existing homes (including new develpment homes), because you might find some lovely homes already built and ready to move in to for about the same price as a lot + construction costs.

3. We're having trouble getting information on future development (even from the Waikoloa Village Association), but we know that there are several new phases planned. What have you heard?
There's not much movement in that regard. That makes it a wild card.
There are many things planned for the future, but not too much happening right now (Aug 2013). A knowledgeable realtor who has been in Waikoloa for awhile should know the scoop. You need to find one that is forthcoming with information.

4. Is the dusty wind difficult for people with asthma?
It might not be today for someone. But possibly further down the line with prolonged exposure.
If dust or pollen bothers your allergies or asthma, then it might not be the right location. But if that is the case, be careful of many areas on the Big Island, because Waikoloa is not the only occasionally windy spot! Other factors might be of even more concern for someone with asthma, such as wet areas that have mold and mildew. There was a study of asthma in children done a few years ago, and a big factor was mold and mildew in wet areas of the island. Speaking to an allergist or physician familiar with Hawaii Island health problems might be a worthwhile conversation before settling on an area to move to.

5. Does anyone deliver pizza out here? (ha!)
If so, there's no guarantee that there will be one when you have your house build.
In general, keep in mind that the whole of Waikoloa is an artificial development. Now human settlement chose that location at any point in the last 1,000 years. So you are dependent on modern amenities: AC, water, dust and wild fire prevention, electricity, car, etc. Even if you want to grow things in your garden you are depending on the price/availability of water, which can be restricted or interrupted by the authorities. The acquifer in that region is overtaxed and is getting brackish. Wildfires are an increasing concern and your insurance rates will reflect it.
Waikoloa Village is like many communities in Hawaii and on the mainland in that residents pay for services such as water/electricity/etc. Personal generators for electricity and water tanks are not in this area, it is a developed community with utilities provided by others. I've not heard that its drinking water supply has a brackish intrusion, but am ready to learn if there is a link with reliable sourced information.

Renting out space to visitors and the proximity to beaches and their resorts are the driving factors for people to move to Waikoloa. If that's your thing, go for it.
For those who enjoy sunny days, warm weather year round, and cool evenings, Waikoloa is attractive. The proximity to the many Waikoloa resorts brings employment opportunities. It is a short few minutes drive to some of the nicest beaches in Hawaii. The public school system is mostly manageable if care is taken by the parents. The airport is close enough to be convenient, yet far enough to not bring noise to the area. Neighborhoods are safe, including a night walk to a nearby friends home.

Meanwhile, some folks are looking for other wonderful things that Hawaii has to offer, and they find those things in other wonderful communities in Hawaii. No one place is right for all, and it is not that one is "better", it is that we all have individual choices on what we desire and are free to find the right location for our needs and wants.

[Ford Beebe]

Originally Posted by CyberCity

What is the difference between an active, erupting, dormant and extinct volcano?



On a scale of 1 to 9, with 1 = the most severity of hazard and 9 = the least severity of hazard, Waikoloa is in Zone 8. Zone 8 includes the lower slopes of Mauna Kea, Waimea, and Waikoloa. Most of this area has not been affected by lava flows for the past 10,000 years.

Most people equate "Active" with "Erupting" which is why "Dormant" is proper terminology for discussing the threats with visitors and newbies.

[CyberCity]

Originally Posted by Ford Beebe

Most people equate "Active" with "Erupting" which is why "Dormant" is proper terminology for discussing the threats with visitors and newbies.

We can each choose how we want to communicate, but for me, I don't cater to perpetuating incorrect terminology by using the excuse that "visitors and newbies" just don't know the right words. Education is a fine thing, and I'm sure "visitors and newbies" are up to the task of learning, I have full confidence in their abilities.

[desirelines]

Thanks! You've certainly helped me to create a new list of ideas to explore and questions for my realtor.