# Should he stay in his home or leave? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 3, 2011, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-he-stay-in-his-home-or-leave/604951 "2011-12-03T16:07:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mangosteen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Mangosteen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangosteen)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2011, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-he-stay-in-his-home-or-leave/604951/1 "2011-12-03T16:07:24Z")
Looks like lava is on the way, but maybe it will go around him. What do you think this Big Island of Hawaii resident should do? Can you see his home in the center of the clear area? [![](https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v61/GarySiegel/avolcanohouse.jpg) ](https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v61/GarySiegel/avolcanohouse.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2011, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-he-stay-in-his-home-or-leave/604951/2 "2011-12-03T18:18:04Z")
I imagine I’d be getting my valuables out of the house, but stay until it was pretty clear one way or the other. I assume the lava isn’t coming at a high rate of speed? ---
**Author:** ![slm2955](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c6cbf5/32.png) [@slm2955](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slm2955)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2011, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-he-stay-in-his-home-or-leave/604951/3 "2011-12-03T18:23:10Z")
He should stay,it doesnt look that harmful. ---
**Author:** ![Al\_Bundy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e79b87/32.png) [@Al\_Bundy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al_Bundy)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2011, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-he-stay-in-his-home-or-leave/604951/4 "2011-12-03T18:41:37Z")
If he’s close to the finish line anyway, this could offer the opportunity of a free cremation without any paperwork. ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2011, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-he-stay-in-his-home-or-leave/604951/5 "2011-12-03T18:50:40Z")
How would he leave? Helicopter? Doesn’t look like the roads go out of the green area in any direction. Is there actually somebody still there? ---
**Author:** ![Springtime\_for\_Spacers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Springtime\_for\_Spacers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Springtime_for_Spacers)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2011, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-he-stay-in-his-home-or-leave/604951/6 "2011-12-03T18:58:40Z")
Leave. How is this a question? He can always go back if the house survives. What’s going to happen whilst he’s gone? Lava surfing looters? ---
**Author:** ![Moonlitherial](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4bbf92/32.png) [@Moonlitherial](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moonlitherial)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2011, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-he-stay-in-his-home-or-leave/604951/7 "2011-12-03T19:00:26Z")
There have been a couple of instances of people isolated by lava flows where they hike or ATV in and out. It’s not like they can sell the house or get volcano insurance so I can understand the desire to stay as long as it’s relatively safe. In his case - I’d be packing and moving though, looks like Pele has taken aim. ---
**Author:** ![Mangosteen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Mangosteen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangosteen)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2011, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-he-stay-in-his-home-or-leave/604951/8 "2011-12-03T20:07:47Z")
> [@NoClueBoy](#): > > How would he leave? Helicopter? Doesn’t look like the roads go out of the green area in any direction. Is there actually somebody still there? He’s got a dirt bike that gets him in and out. ---
**Author:** ![DMark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2011, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-he-stay-in-his-home-or-leave/604951/9 "2011-12-03T20:52:30Z")
Out of curiosity, what kind of “home” is this? I mean, it doesn’t exactly look like there are sewer, water, electricity, cable or any other connections. In other words, this looks more like a shanty in a really piss poor location. Not that his can’t be a “home” for someone, but four wood walls and roof in the middle of a volcano is not exactly reason enough to ignore the faint odor of fire on your welcome mat. ---
**Author:** ![Springtime\_for\_Spacers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Springtime\_for\_Spacers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Springtime_for_Spacers)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2011, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-he-stay-in-his-home-or-leave/604951/10 "2011-12-04T00:17:16Z")
> [@Mangosteen](#): > > He’s got a dirt bike that gets him in and out. OK, so I take it back about the lava surfing looters. ---
**Author:** ![Moonlitherial](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4bbf92/32.png) [@Moonlitherial](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moonlitherial)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2011, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-he-stay-in-his-home-or-leave/604951/11 "2011-12-04T02:01:59Z")
> [@DMark](#): > > Out of curiosity, what kind of “home” is this? > I mean, it doesn’t exactly look like there are sewer, water, electricity, cable or any other connections. In other words, this looks more like a shanty in a really piss poor location. > Not that his can’t be a “home” for someone, but four wood walls and roof in the middle of a volcano is not exactly reason enough to ignore the faint odor of fire on your welcome mat. Well it used to have all those things but the lava flows that surround him took out his neighbors and services. I checked the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory [site](http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/kilauea/update/images.html) and this is the last occupied home in the Royal Gardens subdivision. Lava has been taking homes out there in both small and large groups since 1983. As recently as 2008 there were still several residents living there, including a bed and breakfast. ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2011, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-he-stay-in-his-home-or-leave/604951/12 "2011-12-04T02:16:06Z")
Where is the house in that pic? That tiny orange speck? ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2011, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-he-stay-in-his-home-or-leave/604951/13 "2011-12-04T02:23:35Z")
Why is this even a question? Get out. ---
**Author:** ![lavenderviolet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/cdc98d/32.png) [@lavenderviolet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lavenderviolet)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2011, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-he-stay-in-his-home-or-leave/604951/14 "2011-12-04T02:34:00Z")
> [@Al\_Bundy](#): > > If he’s close to the finish line anyway, this could offer the opportunity of a free cremation without any paperwork. This discussion make me think of the elderly man who refused to relocate when Mt. St. Helens was going to erupt and ended up being killed in the eruption: > **[Harry R. Truman](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Randall_Truman)** > > Harry R. Truman (October 1896 – May 18, 1980) was an American businessman, bootlegger, and prospector. He > lived near Mount St. Helens, an active volcano in the state of Washington, and was the owner and caretaker of Mount St. Helens Lodge at Spirit Lake near the base of the mountain. Truman came to fame as a folk hero in the weeks leading up to the volcano's 1980 eruption after refusing to leave his home despite repeated orders to evacuate. On May 18, 1980, Truman was killed in the cataclysmic ... ---
**Author:** ![Mangosteen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Mangosteen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangosteen)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2011, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-he-stay-in-his-home-or-leave/604951/15 "2011-12-04T03:19:58Z")
> [@DMark](#): > > Out of curiosity, what kind of “home” is this? > I mean, it doesn’t exactly look like there are sewer, water, electricity, cable or any other connections. In other words, this looks more like a shanty in a really piss poor location. > Not that his can’t be a “home” for someone, but four wood walls and roof in the middle of a volcano is not exactly reason enough to ignore the faint odor of fire on your welcome mat. Sewer? Compost toilet Water? Large catchment tank. Area gets over 50 inches of rain. Roof “catches” water and it drain into tank. Solar panels power electric pump that delivers water to the inside of the home . Electricity? Solar Cable? Satellite Not long ago many people called the area “home” and lived just like he is now. ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2011, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-he-stay-in-his-home-or-leave/604951/16 "2011-12-04T03:22:49Z")
**Mangosteen** , is ‘he’ you!? ---
**Author:** ![Mangosteen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Mangosteen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangosteen)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2011, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-he-stay-in-his-home-or-leave/604951/17 "2011-12-04T04:05:24Z")
> [@jjimm](#): > > **Mangosteen** , is ‘he’ you!? No, one of the 2 properties I own on the Big Island is about 20 miles northeast of this guy. Due to the terrain, the lava would have to go uphill to reach Orchidland where my home is. Here’s a map. [![](https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v61/GarySiegel/aBig_Island_Map3.jpg) ](https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v61/GarySiegel/aBig_Island_Map3.jpg) His place is a few miles south of Volcano. (How’s that for name of a town?) Can you see it on the map? My place is in Orchidland near Keaau. My other place is even further away north of Hilo in Pepeekeo. ---
**Author:** ![Moonlitherial](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4bbf92/32.png) [@Moonlitherial](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moonlitherial)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2012, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-he-stay-in-his-home-or-leave/604951/18 "2012-03-05T19:26:21Z")
It’s [gone](http://www.staradvertiser.com/news/breaking/141339473.html?id=141339473) ☹ Poor guy. ---
**Author:** ![Philliam](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/philliam/32/3011_2.png) [@Philliam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philliam)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2012, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-he-stay-in-his-home-or-leave/604951/19 "2012-03-05T19:47:29Z")
Back in the early ‘80’s when I was doing coastal surveys for NOAA, I had my theodolite and positioning gear set up on the top of the light tower at Cape Kumakahi ([Cape Kumukahi Light - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cape_Kumukahi_Light)). From 125’ the view was fabulous, but the most interesting thing was how the 1960 lava flow had engulfed the town of Kapoho but had split just yards from the tower and flowed around it. Like Honey Badger - lava just don’t care. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2012, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-he-stay-in-his-home-or-leave/604951/20 "2012-03-05T20:53:51Z")
> [@Moonlitherial](#): > > It’s [gone](http://www.staradvertiser.com/news/breaking/141339473.html?id=141339473) ☹ Poor guy. Meh. He moved to his other home in Hawaii, where his greatest struggle per the link you provided seems to be getting used to hearing the local frogs croak. As far as those who lose their houses to natural disasters go, he seems to be suffering less than 99.9% of others in that category. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-he-stay-in-his-home-or-leave/604951.md?page=2)