Yet Jack Thompson does not mind living directly below Kilauea, the world's most active volcano.

Almost everyone else has left the Royal Gardens subdivision where Thompson lives. How long can he last? How long will his home survive?

Remote is a good way to describe Thompson's place. It is a three or four mile hike to the nearest road ... and that is just the way he likes it.

Thompson enjoys the simple things in life. The fruit he grows in his back yard. The view from the second story of his home. And the peace and quiet of living in an almost deserted subdivision.

"Being a recluse like I am, you know, it's nice not to have the usual traffic you get in a regular subdivision. I never wanted to live in a regular subdivision," Thompson told KGMB9.

Royal Gardens is no regular subdivision. It was the product of a speculative development spree in the late 1950's. It had about 1,500 lots. Only about 75 homes were built.

"I remember when it was green all the way out to the ocean. And the whole coast line was studded with coconut palms and lots of Hawaiian people living around here. And they're the nicest people," Thompson said.

But those people were forced to pack up and leave. Kilauea erupted on Jan. 3, 1983.

In early March, lava claimed its first home in Royal Gardens. Almost 200 homes in Royal Gardens, Kalapana and neighboring communities have been destroyed by the eruption, which continues today.

Pele, the Goddess of Hawaii's volcanos, has been exerting her will.

"I can certainly see why the Hawaiian people think of her as real. I've seen her face in the fountaining lava," Thompson said.

His home is on high ground. It has been spared ... but for how long? This week lava re-entered the subdivision. It crossed a road just 1.1 miles from Thompson's home.

Jim Kauahikaua, the scientist in charge at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, is monitoring the flow. He took these pictures Tuesday and mapped the lava's progress.

"Jack Thompson's house is right here," Kauahikaua said pointing to a point on a map.

"The flows right now are going around through kind of the Northeast corner and are coming down kind of the Eastern side of the subdivision. Jack's house is on kind of mid-way and on the Western, far Western side, so he's probably pretty safe from this particular flow," Kauahikaua added.

"But there's always potential for other flows. And one thing about lava flows, once one comes down, the next one can't go that same path so it's going to go down one side or the other (of the original flow), and if the next flow comes down on the West side instead of the East side, Jack's house could be in some danger," Kauahikaua said.

Thompson has watched other homes burned and buried by the lava. His father lost his home that way.

"Oh, it's coming. There's no doubt about that. You can see the glow at night. But there's a thousand things it could do before it gets here," Thompson told KGMB9.

If it comes, Thompson knows there's little he can do to save his home. So, he told us, he does not spend too much time or energy worrying about what he can not control.

"Lava? You know, come on. If you were in the flats, you'd have a problem. But on the mountain side you've got a chance. If it goes by you, it goes by you. It's not coming back. It's just luck of the draw, you know," Thompson said.

Although Thompson lives alone, he is not always alone at his home. He opens his doors to guests seeking a unique bed and breakfast experience. He calls his home "Lava House." He can be reached by calling (808) 756-4270.

A man named Dean Schneider also spends significant time in Royal Gardens. He lives in a large tent in the middle of the road in front of his property.

Thompson told us Schneider often spends time outside the subdivision, so Thompson considers himself the last full time resident living in a home in Royal Gardens.

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