After the early 1990 flows cut off and destroyed Kalapana the homeowners on the adjacent coastal frontage could not get buyers. Mainland friends of mine started moving in and buying the untouched  new vacation homes along the coastal road for cash. The owners were so happy to just have a buyer that they would gladly accept actual cash in tax compliant payments. The inability to get a loan squashed all speculative development in the area. It was a forgotten land and devoid of locals. Which made many of my female friends feel alot safer as rapes had become epidemic in other big island communities.

I used to stay in a house that was a few up from the ocean where the flow had come within 20 feet, wiping out the back yard. It was very cool to step out the back door and up onto last year's freshly cooled lava which now extended for miles uninterupted to the park. Walking on unweathered lava where no one has yet tread is quite an experience. It makes very weird noises and gleams irradecent in the sun.

Last edited by Johnny Rotten (2008-01-19 02:15:58)