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+--- Thread: Is Puna Stuck In a Rut? Positive Solutions? (/showthread.php?tid=5715)
RE: Is Puna Stuck In a Rut? Positive Solutions? - PaulW - 06-06-2009
In every community there's money flowing in and out. The trick is to
have more of the former and less of the latter, which will lead to increased
prosperity and hopefully happiness.
Tourism is a great way to increase the inflow of money but everything
in moderation - some places have really gone too far and are only about
tourism.
The arrival of new blood also helps increase the inflow of money, especially
if it involves wealthy retirees, but also young hard-working people who
can generate wealth. We should encourage people to move here, and if Punaweb
didn't already exist then we would need something just like it, to help
people move here and to fit in when they get here.
I also think telecommuting is the future and Puna/Hawaii should be making
an effort to help them make the leap as well.
I'm always amazed at hearing from people who came here within the last
few years saying Puna is overcrowded and less people should move here.
Somehow the balance was magically tipped in the meantime!
RE: Is Puna Stuck In a Rut? Positive Solutions? - kimo wires - 06-07-2009
I predict that Pahoa will be developed in a Hodge-podge manner. With development spreading out from the core of old town. It's already happening with the fast food developments.
These will serve as a snare for tourists visiting the area and then they will trickle into old town.
Old town needs to prepare for the new influx...And in a hurry if it wants to prosper.
Pahoa needs a common thread to make it interesting to Tourists
And I believe that the Only way is through Art.
I lived in Paia on Maui and It would be in the same sorry state if it were not for it's Geographic location. The Surf industry, Art, and restaurants make it vibrant.
We don't have a world class surf destination 5 minutes away.
We need to be thinking about how to bring more artists and Art related programs to town.
When I drive through and see the characters hanging out at the ATM at FHB...It leaves a bad taste in my mouth.
One Thing I can always be sure of is that things will never go as expected.
RE: Is Puna Stuck In a Rut? Positive Solutions? - DanielP - 06-07-2009
What ever happened to "KEEP PUNA RURAL"? I like Pahoa just the way it has been. Funky, run-down old Hawaii. Why try to turn it into artsy-fartsy Yuppie touristy Petaluma. It is a shame that new chains are moving in with their clorox washed buildings.
Why not get them to cover their buildings with old barnwood and rusty roofing to help Pahoa at least look old Hawaii. That is what folks come to Puna for. The Funk, the hippies, the Bohemian flavor.
That is my idea of an architectural committee.
Keep Puna Funky, Dan
RE: Is Puna Stuck In a Rut? Positive Solutions? - kimo wires - 06-07-2009
Puna will be rual indefinitely.
We're just talking about a town. An area and how it's developed.
Without a plan development will happen anyway.
There's no way a pack of pilau hippies holding protest signs are going to stop it.
There should be a comprehensive plan for the develpment of the outlying Pahoa area but I'm afraid that due to the economic state of the community...there won't be.
You like Funky? You came to the right place.
One Thing I can always be sure of is that things will never go as expected.
RE: Is Puna Stuck In a Rut? Positive Solutions? - Erlinda - 06-07-2009
In the way of development, I think it might be cool to see an artists' cooperative in Pahoa. Has that been tried before? I see a lot of creative folks around Puna and it would be one place where a lot of artists could showcase their works. Don't know what the rent would be like, though. And it would have to be staffed by the artists themselves taking turns.
I would hate to see Pahoa turn into another Carmel or Mendocino, though, devoid of character and soul. It's tricky.
RE: Is Puna Stuck In a Rut? Positive Solutions? - lotus - 06-07-2009
quote:
Originally posted by Erlinda
In the way of development, I think it might be cool to see an artists' cooperative in Pahoa. Has that been tried before? I see a lot of creative folks around Puna and it would be one place where a lot of artists could showcase their works. Don't know what the rent would be like, though. And it would have to be staffed by the artists themselves taking turns.
I tried to pull together the Puna Artist's Collaborative last year. For several months, I tried to get artists who were willing to be members. They all wanted to be personally represented without any care about the other members or their needs. I tried to get several artists to work together to create an "Artist's Guild" of sorts... What ended up happening was a lot of very self absorbed people wanted to make their ideas happen without putting any personal or financial investment into it and without having to help anyone else make it happen. The mantra became "what can you do for ME" and I eventually got pretty disgusted with the sense of entitlement that seems to accompany so many of these free spirited artist types. You know the ones.... We don't believe in money, but hey, can you give me some of your resources so I don't have to go and find a job...
I eventually got really frustrated and realized that the only way I was going to see any change in this town is if I just did it myself. Thus, the store and joining PMSBA, and my Art Walk idea....
"The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones that never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars."
RE: Is Puna Stuck In a Rut? Positive Solutions? - DanielP - 06-07-2009
I think that the real thing that Puna needs is to broaden the economic base. ie start developing economies that are not based on tourism. That is a difficult one and requires someone smarter than I to get that dog to hunt.
From the armchair, Dan
RE: Is Puna Stuck In a Rut? Positive Solutions? - Hotzcatz - 06-07-2009
Yup, the question is not "how to get more tourists in Puna" but "how to have more economic support for folks who live in Puna". You notice I do NOT say more "jobs" for people in Puna since frequently jobs are making folks other than the people working rich. Folks in Puna would benefit from starting their own businesses or finding something to produce and sell instead of hoping for a minimum wage tourist based job making the owners of the hotel rich instead of themselves.
Kurt Wilson
RE: Is Puna Stuck In a Rut? Positive Solutions? - DanielP - 06-07-2009
Idea:
Combine eco-land clearing with packaging and marketing Ohia chips for BBQ smoking. Take a bite out of the Hickory and Mesquite market share.
RE: Is Puna Stuck In a Rut? Positive Solutions? - kimo wires - 06-07-2009
I'm going into Agriculture...
Believe me I tried to find a joke in there but It didn't work out.
Dirty...Dirty work
But the rewards of fresh produce growing in my own back yard motivate me.
Perhaps I can grow some righteous Arugula (lettuce) or Lemons.
Whatever you want, It grows... just plant it,
When the world goes to Hell in a Hand-basket you'll be glad U did...
Tweet!