Is Puna Stuck In a Rut? Positive Solutions?

[JWFITZ]

People come to the Big Island looking for--in a word--authenticity. We'd be very wise not to squander that with hokey hollywood style culture and fast food joints. Todays traveler is savvy and educated, and is seeking real experience. It would be a shame if we didn't recognize that.

There already is serious eco-tourism here. A lot of it in fact. I've personally had 10 visitors in 6 months who've contacted me personally through my websites looking to do just that and see things that they view as "authentic." This kind of tourism is probably not too visible, because none of these people are interested in the slightest in anything that smells the slightest bit contrived or commercial. Unfortunately, "tourism" has come to mean catering to middle class baby boomers, and that's a smaller and more broke demographic than ever, and older. They're staying home regardless of the economy.

[Rob Tucker]

Jay has a good point about authenticity. I lived in Ventura, CA before moving here. It was a rather sleepy beach town and was generally by-passed by the tourists who preferred Santa Barbara to the north and Malibu to the south. It was derided as "Bakersfield by the Sea". Which was fine with me as it left our lovely beaches relatively uncrowded on the 4th of July.

I found it frustrating to go to planning meetings and listen to people say "Ventura could be just like _______________ (fill in the blank) if we did blah, blah blah." I asked and wondered what was so bad about Ventura simply being the best Ventura it could be. I've brought that attitude to Puna with me sixteen years ago.

I don't want to see Puna become just like somewhere else. I want Puna to simply be Puna in all it's glory. For this reason I have gotten involved in things and have joined others to prevent our highways from turning into sprawl choked commercial alleys which could easily happen. So far we have largely succeeded. The fast food joints soon to appear in Pahoa are disappointing but there was not enough local interest to do anything about it until it was too late. But at least that development is and will be part of a larger village center instead of randomly dropped at various intersections on the highway. They will fail or they will succeed. Probably succeed and encourage more such ventures to come to Puna. Pay attention.

It's not too late on a number of issues. Important issues. But it takes people getting involved and getting active.

We really can't say which businesses come to Puna. We can say where they will be located (Puna Community Development Plan) or what they look like (Design Districts). I would encourage anyone motivated in or near Pahoa to join Mainstreet Pahoa Association or Friends of Puna's Future (www.fopf.org). We can do much more together than we can alone. There's also the Volcano Community Association and our various homeowner's associations too.

Punaweb moderator

[lotus]

I agree. I didn't mean in my last post that we should try to be like other towns, but simply that using other working models for our own inspiration would do us some good. The other towns I've listed are meant to be referenced as places that, not unlike us have had their own share of challenges and have overcome them.

BTW, I just joined FOPF. I would also like to re-invite everyone to join Green Drinks Pahoa at www.greendrinks.com. We are an online and offline, self organizing community dedicated to making Pahoa Sustainable. We meet the first Monday of every month to exchange ideas and network with each other. Please come! Get to know your community, face to face! It's fun, it's inspiring and... It's FREE!

"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."

[MarkP]

JWFITZ is right about authenticity. Even in my somewhat negative post, you could perhaps see that I am attracted to something, but not something I could put into words for a tourist brochure. Another resident of Eden Roc had lived for years in Volcano. I think Eden Roc was where he cold afford, but he has repeatedly stated that he feels better about the demographics there than he did in Volcano, where it was mostly retired mainlanders.

I can't articulate why I like Puna, but obviously there is something to like.

[JWFITZ]

I think the pertinent followup question would be--looking for "authentic" what? Again, that should be a concept able to be tied to a single emotive term. Any votes on that one? The historical record is pretty clear that issue.

[mac nut]

I have been thinking about dining in Pahoa. I have come up with a good name for the restauraunt. I will call it Food For Thought. I am still thinking about the rest of the details. Feel free to offer sugestions/favorite foods.

Mac nut

[aline]

I like the idea of seeing some art shops in Pahoa but the rents are so expensive. There are a lot of talented gifted people who could showcase their talents. Maybe even shops where people could see pottery being created or other crafts of local artists. I like the eco tourism idea,maybe a yurt or two. I would love to see land set aside for public use. I just dont want Puna to lose her own unique identity which is the draw for a lot of people myself included.Sorry but I would not go to Kona for a vacation,ok for a day but not to stay.

[Kapohocat]

Is the sampan still around and working? And if so, what about the sampan being used as a "bus" that just runs from the HS / Paul's station on the south end to Malama Market on the other end - just back and forth so tourists could see the cute places to go and eat and shop.

Campground idea in Pahoa and Greenlake are both good ideas.

What about real bike paths and promoting bike tourists on the big island?

My feeling is that if Puna is to stay alternative then we must look at the alternative tourists, and just say no to more golf courses or resorts.

I too do not want to see Pahoa eventually go the way of Santa Barbara, or Laguna or even Dana Point now either.

[Guest]

While many of us want to keep Pahoa the way it is... Has anyone thought about what our future generations want?

We have a pretty high pregnancy rate here with teens in Puna... There could be some reason's behind that.

"No place to go... nothing to do... let's do drugs and oof!"

I bet if there was a much younger populace posting to Punaweb, we would have much difference upon the wishes of what "We" want Puna/Pahoa to be.

You talk to these kids... they beg for development in this area.

The smart kids... leave the area after school because of no real opportunities... leaving behind the kids that rip off your houses and the tourists.

It's a vicious cycle folks.

We need tourist, we need infrastructure, we need less people moving to the islands, and we need to provide more jobs for those that are already here.

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Damon Tucker's Blog
FBI Blogs

[Rob Tucker]

Damon is right, the young folks need opportunities for both making a living and enjoying life. For my part I want to see development as part of the community plan.

You have to remember that Puna has been starved for business zoning. The Hilo plan for Puna was three words: "Drive to Hilo". At this time the plans are coming into place for business park locations and bona fide commercial zones within village centers. More local job and shopping opportunities will mean less driving to Hilo (which the Hilo powers are not happy about). There is certainly a need for a variety of improvements. Now that the PCDP is coming to place (if Mayor Kenoi will stop delaying implementation) investors will be able to plan their investments.

Punaweb moderator