Puna ideas wanted (Hilo, Volcano: rentals, houses, buying)

[Heiwos]

Long range planning: I'm entertaining the idea of, 5 years or so from now, renting a shack / small house in the Puna or Volcano areas for a year or more, until I get island fever and high-tail it back to the mainland. I wouldn't expect to get a job (I'd work again when I get back to the mainland). I've spent a month+ in Hawaii, visiting each of the four major islands, and like the Puna & Volcano areas the best, esp. for the cost and the nature.

Any glaring thing I should know about Puna or Volcano, other than flowing lava and coqui frogs? I'd prefer to be upland (like ~4000 foot elevation), in a wetter climate. I understand that Puna is more of a "live & let live" area, which is fine by me. I can handle $10/gallon for milk; I'm already paying $7 and a lot more for rent. My goals when there would be to explore and do some volunteer work.

One other thing: it is possible for a non-scientist to hike close enough to the erupting volcano (name escapes me now) to see it, if only with binoculars? I've read that it's illegal to get within 2 miles or so of it.

Edit to add: I got some good info from the Questions about Hawaii - Want to start an organic farm thread. I thought the winds consistently blew vog toward Kona; now I know better!

[leilaniguy]

Volcano is the only place in Puna that rises to 4000'. most populated areas are lower. You'll need heat up there. Milk may be $10 some places, but it's just under $6 where I shop, and it ain't a cheap store. You can walk to within a thousand feet or so of the flow front at Kalapana where it runs into the sea, but the erupting crater, Pu'u O'o, is definetely off limits.

[Heiwos]

Thanks leilaniguy! I keep my thermostat at 50 degrees now, but I'd probably need it warmer in Hawaii.

[hotzcatz]

Depending on the lava conditions but sometimes you can walk up and poke it with a stick. That's only the real slow pahoehoe flows, though. Any kine a'a and they make folks stay back from it.

Other than coqui and lava flows, there's the vog to consider. Depending on your rental, you may or may not have such services as cell phone connections, internet, county water, electricity, etc.

Most houses in Hawaii don't have thermostats so you don't have to figure out where to set them. Up in Volcano, houses will probably have a wood stove or some sort of heating device, I would hope?

[cynmkolohe]

Sounds like a good plan! There will probably be plenty of opportunities around Volcano to get involved in the community. The major concerns are ones you are already aware of...I would just add that it is advised that you visit any rentals in person before signing a long-term lease. Just like with buying--don't rely on internet photos to give you a complete picture of the area. You may save yourself some headaches by checking out the neighbors, etc in person before getting into something that would be hard to get out of.

[Heiwos]

Originally Posted by hotzcatz

Depending on the lava conditions but sometimes you can walk up and poke it with a stick.

That's actually a dream of mine. When I was there the lava was flowing in a tube all the way to the ocean. I hope the eruption keeps going.

Other than coqui and lava flows, there's the vog to consider. Depending on your rental, you may or may not have such services as cell phone connections, internet, county water, electricity, etc.

I'll have to see what the vog is like on another visit. Yeah, I'll have to think hard about what services I can do without, to get a little more of the isolation I'd like. I figure I'd go into Hilo to get library books.

Most houses in Hawaii don't have thermostats so you don't have to figure out where to set them.

Didn't know that!

[Heiwos]

Originally Posted by cynmkolohe

Sounds like a good plan! There will probably be plenty of opportunities around Volcano to get involved in the community. The major concerns are ones you are already aware of...I would just add that it is advised that you visit any rentals in person before signing a long-term lease. Just like with buying--don't rely on internet photos to give you a complete picture of the area. You may save yourself some headaches by checking out the neighbors, etc in person before getting into something that would be hard to get out of.

Will do, thanks! I plan more visits to get a better feel for the area. I can handle a lot of different types of people, just not ones who sic Cujo on me or put tripwires on my property.