How has volcano eruption affected Big Island real estate market? (if any) (new home, neighborhoods)

[Open-D]

Originally Posted by whtviper1

Lets address a few things here -

I don't have an issue with FEMA relief - it is a Federal program to deal with situations like this - it just doesn't pay a lot of money. And even if the State does a land swap, which I don't think they will - it isn't a giveaway, you still have to pay fair market value of the land you are getting.

A false statement is the insurance aspect - many either can't get insurance or it was prohibitively expensive - so many are uninsured (perhaps most?).

Regarding tornado alley - well, tornadoes typically touch down - destroy a few houses (and very rarely end up in an urban area) but typically don't cause the number of houses of destroyed as this lava event. Another key difference - a destroyed house by a tornado can be rebuilt relatively easily - one destroyed by lava, not so much.

On hurricanes - new construction can be built relatively hurricane proof - it is the older buildings prone to problems and as they get destroyed, new construction goes in its place. But a bigger problem, you can't just declare the entire east coast and gulf coast off limits, that isn't practical. But if you declared LZ1 and LZ2 off limits, it impacts a relatively small area of the Big Island - there was no practical reason communities were built in those areas, it was just a money grab in the 1950's and 1960's.

Well said. I would add that the areas affected by tornados and hurricane etc., are economically-vibrant areas adding significantly to "America" and the American economy. Puna "subdivisions", not so much.

[Arktikos]

Originally Posted by Open-D

To compare economically viable and fully-engaged areas, such as the Florida coast, with a vanity bedroom community (much of Puna) is not even close to an apples-to-apples comparison. .

No, it isn't.

US hurricane and tornado damage costs are probably hundreds or thousands of times greater than this eruption as they're typically in the billions.

What's your interest in the Big Island anyway? You seem to be quite hostile towards it, especially Puna.

[Open-D]

Originally Posted by Blind Cleric

No, it isn't.

US hurricane and tornado damage costs are probably hundreds or thousands of times greater than this eruption as they're typically in the billions.

What's your interest in the Big Island anyway? You seem to be quite hostile towards it, especially Puna.

Actually, I have hopes of retiring there, but not in Puna. Maybe I am just jealous of those who live on the edge!!!!!

[Open-D]

Originally Posted by Blind Cleric

No, it isn't.

US hurricane and tornado damage costs are probably hundreds or thousands of times greater than this eruption as they're typically in the billions.

What's your interest in the Big Island anyway? You seem to be quite hostile towards it, especially Puna.

Obviously, the costs are higher, for there are many more people, businesses, industries, farms, mercantile and financial institutions in residence. You know, the sort of infrastructure that makes America work - that makes if move forward against the tide.

But again, comparing those risks, with those associated with living on a hyper-active volcano is like comparing apples and pumpkins.

[whtviper1]

Originally Posted by Blind Cleric

US hurricane and tornado damage costs are probably hundreds or thousands of times greater than this eruption as they're typically in the billions.

It really doesn't much matter if it is billions (literally only a few tornado's have caused billions in damage by the way) as insurance covers most of that damage and it can be readily rebuilt. If a tornado takes out a Home Depot - that building can be replaced relatively quickly to the point not much time spans that you can't even tell a tornado went thru the area.

The difference is much of LZ1 and LZ2 does not have insurance and it cannot be readily rebuilt. It becomes inaccessible.

[Nyfinestbxtf]

Originally Posted by whtviper1

Lets address a few things here -

I don't have an issue with FEMA relief - it is a Federal program to deal with situations like this - it just doesn't pay a lot of money. And even if the State does a land swap, which I don't think they will - it isn't a giveaway, you still have to pay fair market value of the land you are getting.

A false statement is the insurance aspect - many either can't get insurance or it was prohibitively expensive - so many are uninsured (perhaps most?).

Regarding tornado alley - well, tornadoes typically touch down - destroy a few houses (and very rarely end up in an urban area) but typically don't cause the number of houses of destroyed as this lava event. Another key difference - a destroyed house by a tornado can be rebuilt relatively easily - one destroyed by lava, not so much.

On hurricanes - new construction can be built relatively hurricane proof - it is the older buildings prone to problems and as they get destroyed, new construction goes in its place. But a bigger problem, you can't just declare the entire east coast and gulf coast off limits, that isn't practical. But if you declared LZ1 and LZ2 off limits, it impacts a relatively small area of the Big Island - there was no practical reason communities were built in those areas, it was just a money grab in the 1950's and 1960's.

To play devils advocate, is the land still useful after the land has been inundated with lave? The land has no drastic change after a hurricane or tornado plows through.

[Lodestone]

Florida: economy consists of catering to tourists, retirees, and growing oranges.
Puna: economy consists of catering to tourists, retirees, and growing papayas.

So, totally different. It's like comparing papayas to oranges.

[Lodestone]

Originally Posted by whtviper1

On hurricanes - new construction can be built relatively hurricane proof - it is the older buildings prone to problems and as they get destroyed, new construction goes in its place. But a bigger problem, you can't just declare the entire east coast and gulf coast off limits, that isn't practical. But if you declared LZ1 and LZ2 off limits, it impacts a relatively small area of the Big Island - there was no practical reason communities were built in those areas, it was just a money grab in the 1950's and 1960's.

So, if I'm deciding where to retire, and choosing between the Gulf Coast and Hawaii...

Big Island LZ 1+2 : It's too dangerous. OFF LIMITS.
Gulf Coast: It's too dangerous, but millions of others have already done so. PROCEED.

[Jonah K]

Originally Posted by Nyfinestbxtf

To play devils advocate, is the land still useful after the land has been inundated with lave? The land has no drastic change after a hurricane or tornado plows through.

The land is still useful after being inundated with lava. For examples of what can be done, simply look at some of the projects that were built in Kona on top of the 1800-1801 Kaʻūpūlehu lava flow.

[Open-D]

Originally Posted by Nyfinestbxtf

To play devils advocate, is the land still useful after the land has been inundated with lave? The land has no drastic change after a hurricane or tornado plows through.

What's left afterwards, however, is not really "land". It is a crumbly, bumpy sheet of rock with voids and tubes and etc.