02-10-2015, 04:32 AM
As far as keeping things country, aren't all of the poor folks coming to homestead in Puna closer to the traditional Hawaiian lifestyle than the tourists and mcmansion builders? I like the idea of Puna staying the way it is, live and let live, and a little on the wild side, and just adding parks and infrastructure that improves that country lifestyle. Also further reducing onerous regulations on building and home businesses that are more suited to high-density cities.
Computer education, support, and startup incubation is something that can be done anywhere, so I like that idea too. That would prevent some brain-drain from the island, as anyone interested could find like-minded people and employment locally or online. It also results in net income to the island, rather than people outsourcing their IT needs.
Another thing I see missing from Hawaii in general is boating. Why doesn't Puna embrace all the luxury yachts, divers, sports fishermen, and round-the-world sailors with some (floating?) docks and marinas? One of the most beautiful things I've ever seen is St Thomas' bay, full of hundreds of sailboats and yachts. All those people could be paying a modest fee for mooring, while dining, fueling up, and purchasing provisions from Puna businesses. Buying rides from local residents via some local equivalent of uber or lyft. Maybe even providing alternate means of travel to and from the islands.
Computer education, support, and startup incubation is something that can be done anywhere, so I like that idea too. That would prevent some brain-drain from the island, as anyone interested could find like-minded people and employment locally or online. It also results in net income to the island, rather than people outsourcing their IT needs.
Another thing I see missing from Hawaii in general is boating. Why doesn't Puna embrace all the luxury yachts, divers, sports fishermen, and round-the-world sailors with some (floating?) docks and marinas? One of the most beautiful things I've ever seen is St Thomas' bay, full of hundreds of sailboats and yachts. All those people could be paying a modest fee for mooring, while dining, fueling up, and purchasing provisions from Puna businesses. Buying rides from local residents via some local equivalent of uber or lyft. Maybe even providing alternate means of travel to and from the islands.