Buying a House in Leilani Estates (Hilo, Keaau: quality of life, live in, low cost)

[Punadise]

My husband and I are within days of making our purchase final.
We have been looking at property and researching as best we could on line since last August. In January we traveled to the big island to look at our favorite properties. We fell in love with Leilani Estates and knew that was where we wanted to be.
We are ok with the Lava zone, ok with coqui frogs, ok with rain. We thought
we were ok the the geothermal plant, but we only spoke to people who wanted to sell their property! Now, I am concerned about what I am reading about health risks and illnesses due to the plant.
If anybody has any information on the health effects, or quality of life
ie: noise, odor etc. will you please share? Are residents of Leilani Estates
healthy and happy? Would it matter where in the development you are located? We are considering a house on Kahukai st.
Ps: Leilani guy, if you read this, I am curious, what street are you on and how long have you lived there?

[HankDfrmSD]

Originally Posted by Punadise

My husband and I are within days of making our purchase final.
We have been looking at property and researching as best we could on line since last August. In January we traveled to the big island to look at our favorite properties. We fell in love with Leilani Estates and knew that was where we wanted to be.
We are ok with the Lava zone, ok with coqui frogs, ok with rain. We thought
we were ok the the geothermal plant, but we only spoke to people who wanted to sell their property! Now, I am concerned about what I am reading about health risks and illnesses due to the plant.
If anybody has any information on the health effects, or quality of life
ie: noise, odor etc. will you please share? Are residents of Leilani Estates
healthy and happy? Would it matter where in the development you are located? We are considering a house on Kahukai st.
Ps: Leilani guy, if you read this, I am curious, what street are you on and how long have you lived there?

Here's a report on the threat to public health from the plant.

ATSDR - Health Consultation - Puna Geothermal Venture, Pahoa (Puna District), Hawaii County, Hawaii

As I read it, there is no threat from the concentrations measured over a one year monitoring period, and the plans for protection of the public in case of an unplanned release are adequate.

[leilaniguy]

I live 2 blocks in from the highway. I've been here since 1999. Geothermal can make some noise when drilling is going on, but that is rare,(maybe 1-2 days in a year) otherwise there is no noise or odor. It's easy to forget it's there. Kahukai street is about 3 miles long and only the east end is close to geo.

[cynmkolohe]

Hi Punadise,

I don't live in Leilani, so the residents will be better source of info as to the day-to-day changes, but I do have a listing at the lower end of Kahukai and I've been down there several times to put up/check the sign...once when stopping by the across the street neighbor came over to chat for a while. She said she occasionally hears it, but it has never been something that bothers her.

Check your Seller's Disclosure--if there is any unusual amount of noise at the property you are considering purchasing, there should be disclosure.

[William Leland]

Too far from civilization, yes, pretty and low cost but you'll get tired of trips to Hilo. Pahoa is about to open a new very big Long's decent but costly super mkt in Pahoa. A great farmers mkt. only open Sunday go figure. Best, Bill in HPP

[Hale Makamai]

I have lived in Leilani Estates for 12 years and The Geothermal has never been a problem. As stated there is some noise when drilling in day time but you will never hear it at night over the cocqui's.
I just wished our energy was free!

[Hale Makamai]

Too far from civilization?, Bill, sadly Civilization is moving in all around us. As the area grows you can bet your bottom dollar that Shipman will build their shopping center in Keaau.
Just my two cents worth

[mdand3boys]

Originally Posted by Punadise

My husband and I are within days of making our purchase final.
We have been looking at property and researching as best we could on line since last August. In January we traveled to the big island to look at our favorite properties. We fell in love with Leilani Estates and knew that was where we wanted to be.
We are ok with the Lava zone, ok with coqui frogs, ok with rain. We thought
we were ok the the geothermal plant, but we only spoke to people who wanted to sell their property! Now, I am concerned about what I am reading about health risks and illnesses due to the plant.
If anybody has any information on the health effects, or quality of life
ie: noise, odor etc. will you please share? Are residents of Leilani Estates
healthy and happy? Would it matter where in the development you are located? We are considering a house on Kahukai st.
Ps: Leilani guy, if you read this, I am curious, what street are you on and how long have you lived there?

The volcano is much more of a threat than the geothermal plant as it degases hydrogen sulfide at a much greater rate. This plant is the newer, closed system as opposed to the old-style plants that simply released all of the extra steam after it was used.

[MyrnaUkelele]

We've decided Puna is the place for us. We like Leilani Estates and have found a house we'd like to buy. With the lava flowing and about to cut off Hwy. 130 are we crazy to consider buying here? Leilaniguy are you still on this forum? What are your thoughts on this? Are Leilani residents worried that the lava will come their way? Or just resigned to longer commutes into Hilo via RR?

[OpenD]

Yeah, I'd pay 50 cents on the dollar for property in Leilani Estates about right now, maybe a little more if there's room if there's room to put in a Helipad.

Once the lava cuts off Hwy 130, life will be hell in lower Puna for a long time to come.