02-27-2014, 07:26 PM
HOP - you have no idea what you are talking about. The reason for the lots being the shape they are is that Hawaiian Acres, Orchidland, and similar subdivisions are zoned Ag-3, meaning the minimum lot size is 3 acres. They can't be subdivided beyond that without a zoning change, which is next to impossible. And when each lot must be at least 3 acres, as Carey and others said, the most efficient way to subdivide into lots that size is to make them as narrow as possible.
As for your claim that they weren't initially sold to individuals but to developers: here's a brochure advertising lots for sale in Hawaiian Acres, obviously targeting mainland individuals and not developers. Note that it refers to the "Territorial Government" - HA was established in 1958, statehood came in 1959.
http://imgur.com/tyM5z8s
http://imgur.com/gallery/E1C0MKm
Some discussion of the history of the Puna subdivisions by Peter Young, former DLNR chief:
https://www.facebook.com/peter.t.young.hawaii/media_set?set=a.3848705339449.2142055.1332665638&type=1
As for your claim that they weren't initially sold to individuals but to developers: here's a brochure advertising lots for sale in Hawaiian Acres, obviously targeting mainland individuals and not developers. Note that it refers to the "Territorial Government" - HA was established in 1958, statehood came in 1959.
http://imgur.com/tyM5z8s
http://imgur.com/gallery/E1C0MKm
Some discussion of the history of the Puna subdivisions by Peter Young, former DLNR chief:
https://www.facebook.com/peter.t.young.hawaii/media_set?set=a.3848705339449.2142055.1332665638&type=1