Frequently Asked Questions about living or buying real estate on the Big Island Hawaii

1)  Coqui Frogs, Koki Frogs, Caribbean Tree Frogs in Hawaii:  I'd estimate about 25% of the people I talk with HATE them, about 25% of the people LOVE them, and about 50% say "we have louder things that than where we are from!"   Koki Frog Information

2)  HARPTA is not an extra tax.  It's an income tax withholding...  similar to when an employer withholds tax from your paycheck.  The escrow company withholds 5% of the sale price from out of state sellers.  You get credit for the full amount against any income tax owed on your capital gains when you file your Hawaii non-resident N-15 income tax return by the following April.   HARPTA Information

3)  Lava Flow:  We don't have much property for sale in the remote areas near the active lava flows, which border the east side of Volcanoes National Park.  Since 1983, the lava flow has covered about 46 square miles out of the 4000 sq miles of the Big Island of Hawaii.  In this time approximately 190 structures have disappeared in the Kalapana area.  Recent talk about lava "moving towards Pahoa" is spreading more rumor than fact. The rumors helped encourage the Hawaii County Civil Defense to put up a website to better inform the public... but the "What If" speculative scenarios continue to run rampant...   Kilauea Volcano Eruption Update

It is also a matter of perspective. Some people see "risk" to be ten or so miles from a volcano vent, while others see "opportunity" to have a business to cater to the 1.5 million visitors a year who come to see the lava flow.  No matter where you live there is risk of a natural disaster:  Earthquake, tornado, hurricane, blizzard, flooding, landslides, fires, volcano... it's a matter of which one(s) you are willing to live with.  Most people who live here don't think much about it.  (Likewise, many Californians who don't think very often of pending earthquakes.)  Our volcanoes ooze out a lava creek, they don't explode quite like they do in other parts of the world!

Volcanic Zones:  It's true that volcanic lava zones 1 and 2 are a bit harder to get mortgage loans, and insurance can be more expensive on homes over $350,000.  Yet, many residents love these area due to weather and scenic beauty.  There are ways to reduce risk in Puna, Kau and South Kona by keeping your real estate search to volcanic zones 3 or higher.  If "being as far away as possible from lava" is important, we have parts of Hilo, Hamakua, Kohala and North Kona districts to search for property!   Volcanic Lava Zone Information

4)  Tenure: Fee Simple or Leasehold?  Fee Simple is when you buy the land.  Leasehold is when you rent the land, usually on a long term lease.  For most people, fee simple fits their long term goals, while for income investors, leasehold is an option worth looking at.

5) How many square feet are in an acre?  43,560 feet are in one acre.  For many people, an acre of land is plenty to take care of.  12,000 sf is enough to give you a nice front yard and a back yard.  8,000 sf gives you one or the other.

6)  SSPP is Special Subdivision Project Provision - This is a cost share between HELCO (Hawaiian Electric Company) and land owners to bring electricity to the rural Puna subdivisions.  When you hook up to electric lines, you have a share in the cost.  I've seen from $500 to $8000.  Sometimes it can be paid off over a period of time.  HELCO Engineering and New Construction Installation of Lines & Poles  (808) 969-0311

 

Additional Resources

 

Big Island Mileage Drive Times  Big Island Rainfall Map  Catchment Water Systems  Cesspool Information

Big Island Hawaii News   Hawaii County Data Book   Photos of East Hawaii   Tax Map Key Information

 

Recommended Books & Movies

• Atlas of Hawaii  - An excellent atlas resource about the Hawaiian Islands

• Map of Hawaii  - Detailed map of the Big Island of Hawaii, University of Hawaii Press

• Hawaii: the Big Island  - History and photographs of the Big Island

• Hawaii: the Big Island Revealed  - #1 guide book about the Big Island

• Hawaii: Big Island (DVD)  - Video tour of the Big Island

• Hawaii (DVD)  - Movie version of the James Michener's novel

• Hawaii: Big Island Satellite Print  - Poster of the Big Island from space, 36" x 24"

• The Hawaii Garden: Tropical Exotics  - All about tropical gardening in Hawaii

• Living and Retiring in Hawaii  - Ideas on how to make a retirement dream come true

• New Pocket Hawaiian Dictionary  - English / Hawaiian Dictionary

• Ready Map Book of Hawaii  - Street and Subdivision maps for the Big Island of Hawaii

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

What is the weather like today on the Big Island of Hawaii?

               

  

 

 

 

            

                        808 Free Classifieds                                              

 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Kevin E. Lewis, Hilo Hawaii REALTOR® - Prudential Orchid Isle Properties  (808) 969-7863 x130

NOBODY Knows the Big Island Like We Do!™ -  #1 Sales Agency in East Hawaii Real Estate for 2007