Now this is funny.... http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18921292?GT1=9951 Hawaii real estate — a looong-term investment Oceanview lots for sale, but don't expect to see them for 10,000 years Slide show The Heart of Hawaii Her warm friendly people, inspiring natural beauty and unique culture draw people to the immaculate shores of Oahu. Most Popular • Most Viewed • Top Rated • Most E-mailed Mother, 3 children found hanged in Texas Sheehan resigns as Iraq war protest leader Hawaii real estate — a looong-term investment Who's sleeping around? Scientists can tell High school athlete irked, scared by popularity Most viewed on MSNBC.com UN: 90,000 Refugees Return to Mogadishu U.S.: 10 Memorial Day Deaths in Iraq U.S. Military Deaths in Iraq at 3,452 Israeli, Palestinian Leaders to Meet Stocks Retreat After Takeover Deals Most viewed on MSNBC.com Sheehan resigns as Iraq war protest leader Mother, 3 children found hanged in Texas Hawaii real estate — a looong-term investment Give me all the cash — and your number, baby! Contestants to vie for kidney on reality show Most viewed on MSNBC.com Updated: 33 minutes ago HONOLULU - Real estate is often a long-term investment. But 10,000 years? Lo'ihi Development Co. will soon start offering oceanview lots speculators won't even be able to stand on for many millennia. That's because they're currently submerged more than 3,000 feet below sea level — on an underwater volcano called Lo'ihi, located about 20 miles southeast of the Big Island. A Web site will be renovated in the next couple of weeks to officially begin selling parcels for an introductory price of $39.95. Buyers will receive a brochure and a "deed," but much like Internet groups that claim to sell stars, they probably can't call themselves owners. Story continues below ↓ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- advertisement -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "What's the scam?" said Norm Nichols, co-developer of the online venture. "If you really think there's something here that you can't live with, nobody's forcing you to buy it. It's meant to be fun." The Web site advertises, "Lo'ihi Seaview Estates: Real Estate for the Future. Grand Water View Front Lots." A photo of the sales office is a raft in the middle of the ocean. Nichols and his business partner, Linda Kramer, both Honolulu entrepreneurs, envision online chat rooms and newsletters to discuss everything from street names to what kind of government to install. They want to hold a "homeowners association" meeting — a boat ride over the volcano — every April Fool's Day. Scientists don't really know when, or if, Lo'ihi will break the surface of the Pacific Ocean. Many guess about 10,000 years, but it could be much longer than that. Stephen Levins, head of the state consumer affairs office, said the offer could be a problem if it were serious. "However, if the Web site is clear it's a parody and you're not going to be receiving an actual interest in real estate, that's something else," he said.
