03-02-2010, 09:15 AM
About education, I can speak from experience and can strongly recommend Hawaii Preparatory Academy (HPA) in Waimea. It is expensive and, for a Puna family, it means the student will be boarding. Our youngest son attended there grades 10, 11, & 12, by his parents making huge sacrifices in our own lifestyle, as well as with help from his grandparents, and, most especially through the very generous financial aid at the school.
HPA has specifically sought to expand its student body to include more diversity by recruiting talented students in Puna and offering financial aid to make that happen.
Urgent/specialist medical care is not readily available in Puna or most rural areas anywhere -- the more rural, the less urgent/specialist care is available.
In Hawaii, the housing affordability issue is very much the big issue in comparing Oahu and Hawaii Island. Indeed, in comparing Kauai or Maui and Hawaii Island; or even in comparing Kona or Kohala side and Puna side of Hawaii Island.
If housing affordability is essential, then Puna or Ka'u (or even maybe Hamakua) will make all the difference.
North Shore Oahu (where I lived many years ago and still like to visit, though don't get to often) and Waimanalo are not at all like Honolulu, but are close enough to get better medical care and schools.
James Weatherford, Ph.D.
15-1888 Hialoa
Hawaiian Paradise Park
HPA has specifically sought to expand its student body to include more diversity by recruiting talented students in Puna and offering financial aid to make that happen.
Urgent/specialist medical care is not readily available in Puna or most rural areas anywhere -- the more rural, the less urgent/specialist care is available.
In Hawaii, the housing affordability issue is very much the big issue in comparing Oahu and Hawaii Island. Indeed, in comparing Kauai or Maui and Hawaii Island; or even in comparing Kona or Kohala side and Puna side of Hawaii Island.
If housing affordability is essential, then Puna or Ka'u (or even maybe Hamakua) will make all the difference.
North Shore Oahu (where I lived many years ago and still like to visit, though don't get to often) and Waimanalo are not at all like Honolulu, but are close enough to get better medical care and schools.
James Weatherford, Ph.D.
15-1888 Hialoa
Hawaiian Paradise Park