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They would bring wealth in from off-island, create jobs (including relatively unskilled ones), attract doctors (improving healthcare options for all of us), and increase tourism as families visit their loved ones here. Because they are high-density they can be more efficient and easier on the environment than people clearing 1-acre ag lots. They could replace our reduced tourists in Volcano and Pahoa, supporting local businesses. Local culture respects the elderly...
The properties could have resort-like features, carbon-neutral power, and green waste systems (central composting or toilet 2.0).
Seems like a perfect fit, and not as NIMBY as manufacturing, spaceports, power generation, etc... What do you think?
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What do you think?
Sounds like development, and all development is always automatically bad.
That said ...
http://records.co.hawaii.hi.us/WebLink/DocView.aspx?dbid=0&id=33839&page=1&cr=1
This fine vintage 2006 rezoning is part of a project to create a veterans' service center with housing for veterans. Ground has not yet been broken 12 years later, but the applicant went before the Planning Commission just last month:
http://records.hawaiicounty.gov/Weblink/...Page1.aspx
There are numerous other examples but this is the most recent -- and perhaps the most egregious, given that it's for veterans who served their country and came home to an Application To Amend.
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Not going to happen:
1) Nobody can snow-bird. (If you leave your house unattended, it gets gutted).
2) Health care sucks.
3) Too far away from grandchildren.
4) Adult children still in basement, no basements in Puna.
5) General Excise Tax. Old people still count out pennies at the cash register, actually realize how much stuff costs.
6) Better alternatives that cross the above off their list (Florida, Arizona, etc).
7) Retirement communities are businesses. Hawaii, COH anti-business.
8) All the current old people will be dead before permitting for #7 happens.
ETA: 7 and 8
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If support staff and health care workers are hired from the current Puna workforce of house cleaners, yard and general maintenance workers, from past experience, I’d expect business for Dodo Mortuary should increase too.
"I'm at that stage in life where I stay out of discussions. Even if you say 1+1=5, you're right - have fun." - Keanu Reeves
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No more dodo hotpe lool
HPP
HPP
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You would have to pay the caregivers a decent wage... more than teachers are making, that care for our children 8 hours a day. There isnt enough money in hawaii to provide such a service.
I have a sudden craving for popcorn..
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There isnt enough money in hawaii to provide such a service.
The problem isn't a "shortage of funds", the problem is "uneven allocation": by the time everyone takes their cut and pays the kickbacks, there's nothing left for the original purpose.
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quote:
Originally posted by kalakoa
There isnt enough money in hawaii to provide such a service.
The problem isn't a "shortage of funds", the problem is "uneven allocation": by the time everyone takes their cut and pays the kickbacks, there's nothing left for the original purpose.
A(greed).
I have a sudden craving for popcorn..
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Of course, that's why we become a retirement home destination. The state already is, for wealthy, able-bodied folks. Building retirement home resorts would cause an influx of cash from the mainland. An influx that needs (and can pay for) medical care, food, entertainment, services... Money earned over a lifetime on the mainland, brought to our island. Not to mention the Social Security and Medicare dollars that can pay good wages to real healthcare professionals.
True, we would have to compete with other states, but Hawaii has some cache. Lots of tax revenue and construction work for their cronies might convince the politicians to let it happen.