business?

[ckg]

Opinions are free with that said

Some interesting things might be:

1) Drive through sandwich shop for Kalapana tourists and such.
2) A UPS store type operation that delivers for folks who have mail difficulties or choose completely off grid living. It could also hold packages. This might be of help for "private" road folks as well as vacationers since they can ship stuff ahead. I believe Keaau has boxes but I don't think they offer private delivery.
3) Property management service for off island owners.
4) Car wash (I don’t think I have seen one).
5) Baker/Malasada shop. I don’t recall seeing a bakery anywhere nearby and I know Tex was looking for licensees not long ago. Hilo Cruise folks don't have anywhere to get Malasadas that I am aware of (though I don't fancy myself an authority). Someone could probably make a good business on Malasadas if marketed correctly.
6) I also vote for a drive in. Would be lovely and land prices are as good as it gets in this region.
7) Pennysaver type paper for local merchants.
8) If you have the skills Chiropractor or any additional medical type service is always welcome.
9) Private delivery service if you had a good 4 wheel drive vehicle. I am sure folks would pay a flat fee for a private shopper. This could also work for vacation homes setting up goods before a guest arrival.
10) On Site Computer Repair/Technical work.
11) Powerwashing service (perhaps) for those that have decks or driveways.
12) Foundation Repair if you has the skills

[Lupie]

This is actually a no brainier.

Feed store.
If you keep decent prices, you can't lose. Everyone around here has animals, be it household pets or "farm" type animals. Be ready to offer specialty orders if someone needs something you don't have.
Also with this kind of business you won't have to deal with the "riff raff" so much.

For those that are suggesting the Costco's and such... Remember, people move to Puna for a reason... It's rural. If you want your mainland creature comforts so badly... Move to Kona... Or better yet drive there. You live in Paradise don't make simple trips sound like such a chore.


As for the economy here... That's a no brainier too, although much harder to accomplish. We need a beach. Tourists are what make the economy here. They want to come to Hawaii and be able to experience a "real" beach (one can hear this complaint CONSISTENTLY) Build it and they will come... Flock actually. That creates business for all. Tourists are ready and willing to spend their money. The county, state, or district is the only entity holding back the economy.

[Peter Easterling]

A bakery/cafe. Seating inside and outside. Hang around and spend a little money and meet your neighbors.

[Guest]

Another Geothermal plant, or an ammonia plant, Even a few more sub-stations in poihiki and Leilani. These would seem like money maker's and job producers. Other wise there are great ideas already mentioned. These ideas are all talk with no real $. Other's who are not from here but do have the money are unfortunately deciding our future behind closed doors. "DLNR and Hawaiian's shall decide if we get a beach or another plant?"

[PaulW]

If you want your beach so badly, move to Kona yourself!

If the potential for Geothermal was unleashed then we could have as much industry here as we want.
Iceland opened an Aluminum plant, even though they have no bauxite.

[Guest]

Perfect Paul, you can move to Iceland and I will go to Kona. Good riddins of two cockeye old timer's like us would probably do this community good service? lol See ya at the next save poihiki march.

[Rene Siracusa]

@Peter E - a bakery/cafe recently opened behind Jan's barber shop in Pahoa. It is the site of the old Al Smith's Tires and later Lex Brodie. It's called the Tin Shack. Good bagels, good cappucino. That's all I tried so far. Very casual.

[kalakoa]

So they did finally get that bakery open?

Last I heard, County was putting them through the wringer, nice to hear they survived.

[deserteagle50ae]

A best buy or other consumer electronics store.

[gogould]

A feed store with an internet café. Its own website and a private post office with genuine capacity for bulk items ordered in. Have bus stop there and an area for a no soap car wash, garden hose and bucket for two bucks. The best asskicking coffee for miles around and an outdoor barbecue pavilion.
A buy and trade site on the internet website with an onsite area over by the car wash for people to do their deals and go have barbecue to seal the deal.
Pick up feed and for real have someone onsite that has a cage building booth and a power tool/small engine repair shop, with a by God real blacksmith area with a real farrier.
Have the small Laundromat/5 dollar shower, over there by the car wash too.
Make it the coolest most relaxed get your stuff done place ever put together. Be smiling as you roll out of there with fencing, your mower repair, your feed order in, a new/old generator, clean skivvies and a bellyful of barbecue and goodies from the Free Farmers Market table.
Make sure the service is prompt, friendly, efficient, year and year out with every local kid that has a work ethic there at some point in their growing up experience. Reasonable pricing all the way. No gouging ever. And just for me... and everyone else.. that loves smoked Alaska salmon yep a salmon smoker going nonstop all year round.