It's become a philosophical kind of question, eh? What is Hawaii, what should Hawaii be in the future. One vision is that it stays the way it is forever, becoming a "nature preserve" of a human settlement. Another vision which I suspect they're trying to avoid is "a limited resource monopolized entirely by the rich". The 2nd vision may well have happened over a longer time scale as families slowly get priced out and sell their land one by one. People would've noticed and grumbled about it, but it would've happened organically. Now with a big disaster, there's the potential it could happen suddenly all at once and that is unpalatable. So what's the problem, the process or the end result?
Hawaii governor vows to block land grabs as fire-ravaged Maui rebuilds
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Re: Hawaii governor vows to block land grabs as fire-ravaged Maui rebuilds
#12Earlier quoted context omitted.
I don't see why suffering from a natural disaster leaves you unable to make rational financial decisions.
Which is why the governor of Hawaii makes the decision and not you.
Being the governor of a state should not confer the right to suspend property rights, which is what this is. Owning something means being able to sell it.
Re: Hawaii governor vows to block land grabs as fire-ravaged Maui rebuilds
#13Earlier quoted context omitted.
Which is why the governor of Hawaii makes the decision and not you.
Being the governor of a state should not confer the right to suspend property rights, which is what this is. Owning something means being able to sell it.
It is very common in disaster scenarios to put limits on trade or commerce when an emergency is declared. Emergency powers are broad, both at the state and federal levels. You are free to your opinion of course, the people of Hawaii will decide with their vote if the governor runs again. The governor is doing what they believe to best for their constituents. No solution is perfect. Democracy!
Re: Hawaii governor vows to block land grabs as fire-ravaged Maui rebuilds
#14"Land grabs" is a dishonest term for voluntary land sales.
"voluntary" is a dishonest term for locals forced to sell and move after a major disaster
Re: Hawaii governor vows to block land grabs as fire-ravaged Maui rebuilds
#15Re: Hawaii governor vows to block land grabs as fire-ravaged Maui rebuilds
#16"Land grabs" is a dishonest term for voluntary land sales.
"voluntary" is a dishonest term for locals forced to sell and move after a major disaster
If people are forced to sell for financial reasons, not letting them sell does not solve their financial problems. Instead the state of Hawaii could provide loans and grants to affected people so that they are not forced to sell.
Re: Hawaii governor vows to block land grabs as fire-ravaged Maui rebuilds
#17It almost as if housing is a human right and not an investment opportunity for the wealthy to exploit.
How is it a human right? How does that work?
Re: Hawaii governor vows to block land grabs as fire-ravaged Maui rebuilds
#18It's become a philosophical kind of question, eh? What is Hawaii, what should Hawaii be in the future. One vision is that it stays the way it is forever, becoming a "nature preserve" of a human settlement. Another vision which I suspect they're trying to avoid is "a limited resource monopolized entirely by the rich". The 2nd vision may well have happened over a longer time scale as families slowly get priced out and…
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Re: Hawaii governor vows to block land grabs as fire-ravaged Maui rebuilds
#19It almost as if housing is a human right and not an investment opportunity for the wealthy to exploit.
Nothing that requires the labor of others is a human right. That's not how rights work.
Re: Hawaii governor vows to block land grabs as fire-ravaged Maui rebuilds
#20Earlier quoted context omitted.
It’s exploitation of vulnerable disaster victims. A pause on land transfers is warranted.
It is probably though process. But why not allow sales on valuation that matches last year for example? That should be close enough to fair market value and allow people to start rebuilding with the money.
If they sell then how would they rebuild? They’d have no where to rebuild on. They should already have insurance to cover rebuilding.