The New York Times runs a feature piece in its Escapes section highlighting a nascent landrush in Puna, where Mainlanders seeking affordable real estate and alternative lifestyle folks seeking a live-and-let-live ethos are clamoring to snarf up lots in the lush, tropical lava fields (sounds like an oxymoron but you have to see it). Until Kilauea or Mauna Loa flattens the whole thing, of course.

Then again, we're talking geologic time and its hard to pass up the idea of an acre lot in paradise a few minutes drive from the beach and possible with an ocean view (if you build high enough and your neighbors cooperate) for less than $100,000. The folks quoted in the article say they go to Puna to heal and to recharge. It's still a pretty rough and tumble place, for sure. The beaches are, for the most part, not terribly swimmable. Crime in the region is very high for the Big Island. The weather is hot and muggy, the mosquitoes legion, the bugs on the march constantly. There are no non-stop flights from the Mainland to Hilo, the nearest airport, adding an extra 2 hours to most trips (and an extra $100 per person, minimum). The pluses? Teeming marine wildlife, killer farmer markets with local produce, the tidepools at Kapoho for snorkeling, and no resorts or high rises anywhere within dozens of miles. Old Hawaii that's actually quite new in terms of how long the land has been there, a wonderful mix. Lots of nifty, architecturally interesting vacation homes for rent down there, too. Cheaper land means more money for cool construction themes.

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—Alex, 04/07/07