04-23-2011, 04:23 AM
I sense a trend of people throwing Orchidland under the bus in terms of development. As Noel points out, we already host the Blaine's, the General Store/Hardware store, the Wiki Wiki Gas station/mini mart, and now the new development that is going in, so we've done our share. It is an easy drive for Orchidland residents to go to Hilo or to Keaau to shop for groceries, so the KTA is not a necessity for us. Getting out of Orchidland, onto the highway is difficult and dangerous enough as it is without adding the additional traffic of another major commercial attraction in our neighborhood. If people are so inclined to create a centrally located commercial zone, why not put it in Pahoa (with realistic traffic management improvements) closer to the police and fire stations and Pahoa Village Center.