More affluent people moving to Puna?

[jdirgo]

I see all kinds of people coming here. Some have a good amount of money, some do not. For me, its the spirit of the people I see coming here that makes the difference. Even customers of mine that have bought relatively expensive places love the funky atmosphere here. They don't want to see Pahoa's funky wooden sidewalks go away or see any of our local "characters" leave. I know I would hate it if John (the toothless fellow in Pahoa that waves to just about everyone) was gone, or if I went to Kehena and didn't see "Rasta Grandpa" there. Heck, I want to BE "Rasta Grandpa" when I get older. Nearly all the customers I've had here want to visit the Makuu Market on Sundays, go to the naked volleyball on Saturdays and smell the incense wafting from the shops near our office.

I kind of have a way I judge who's going to fit into Puna and embrace it. I drive them through Wa'a Wa'a.

If their reaction is "Oh. My. God. This is the most amazing place on Earth", then I know that the island will welcome them with open arms. If they don't react that way and instead say things like "This road is horrible, and there's no power or telephone -- who would ever want to live here", I just feel that the island will spit them out. And the island will be better for it.

John Dirgo, RA, ABR, e-PRO
Island Trust Properties, LLC
808-987-9243 cell