KAILUA-KONA, Hawaii — Lava flows have largely swallowed a $2.7 million land parcel the Big Island government planned to buy to use as a buffer between development and the Waiopae tide pools.
KAILUA-KONA, Hawaii — Lava flows have largely swallowed a $2.7 million land parcel the Big Island government planned to buy to use as a buffer between development and the Waiopae tide pools.
West Hawaii Today reports about two-thirds of the 284-acre (115-hectare) property in the Vacationland community has been inundated, including the tide pools, following the Kilauea volcano eruption.
Hawaii County Property Manager Hamana Ventura says the county hasn’t received notice from the state to proceed with the purchase. The state Legacy Land conservation program had committed $1.3 million for the deal. The parcel is currently in escrow.
The county council approved the purchase in 2013 and negotiations began in 2014.
Ventura says the property still has value and it could serve an educational purpose for scientists and students studying lava flows.
———
Information from: West Hawaii Today, http://www.westhawaiitoday.com
What? The state government is going to spend nearly $3M to buy land that has just been destroyed by lava? While $10,000/acre seems cheap for land in Hawaii, grade A farm land in Minnesota is under $2000/acre and falling. Just exactly what does the state plan to do with this land? Why in the world should the state buy land to study lava flows? What landowner could possibly say “No” to a request from a state organization to study lava?
Who is getting bailed out here at taxpayer expense? Why isn’t the seller named in this article? Who is the Oligarch ripping off the taxpayers?