We live on an Island where 11 of 13 climates of the Earth (or some similar ratio) are represented. On the East side of the island, lands are predominately overgrown cane fields or triple canopy forests. Typically, it’s impossible to know exactly what’s on your unimproved land.
Challenges of Property Management
Our previous office manager insisted we walk every piece of property. He soon realized it was impossible. While all attempts are made to disclose known imperfections, there are many things we just can’t know. Lava Tubes are probably the most common.
When I sold a home for a retired State Archeologist, this is what I learned. Lava tube mapping exists because of its relationship to archeological significance. Many ancient burials and artifacts are found in tube systems. Maps are plotted by bracketing exposed sections of tube and “guesstimating” the most probable course. Therefore, the maps aren’t completely precise and they only exist for major systems.
Navigating the Dense Puna Forests
Most of our Puna forests are dense native jungle where thick vegetation exists in the sharp lava fields. It is impossible to walk. Overgrown cane land is not much better. The State is happy to provide mapping information when they have it, but for properties, it’s really a coin toss. It’s best to assume there are tubes on the property. A private Geologist can be consulted but the cost may exceed the value of the land.
Understanding the Use of Lava Tubes
Of course, not everyone considers a lava tube an imperfection. Whether your tube is a pleasant surprise or an unanticipated challenge, it’s good to know that you also own the portion of the tube under your property. If you are aware of a lava tube on your property, you may want to research legislation pertaining to its use.
As disgusting as it may sound, some owners use lava tubes as makeshift cesspools. They are also used as a rubbish dump. Because these systems are often connected (many go for miles), spelunkers (cave explorers) love traversing them making illegal uses especially disgusting and a big NO-NO! For this reason (and others) REALTORS® request records for wastewater systems.
Managing Wastewater Systems
For older cesspools, the report will only show that the system exists, not always location. When you need to know where the system is, it’s best to order a video. Newer systems will have an approval for use acknowledged by their wastewater engineer. With so few homes connected to a county system, either type report is an important piece of information. When a report does not exist, a contractor/engineer must be hired to create one. We no longer have a State wastewater engineer in Hilo, so allow extra time for recording.
As we transition from old style systems, keep in mind that make-shift systems will prompt a requirement for a proper system…and on behalf of all the spelunkers out there, thank you in advance for keeping your property “imperfection” perfect!
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