06-27-2017, 03:57 PM
The following is one perspective about one subdivision. I live in Orchidland, and know more about its history than the many other subdivisions in Puna. These observations and history do not apply anywhere else.
Orchidland was created in 1959 by a group of local residents. The lawyer for the development was George Ariyoshi, who later went on to become Governor of the state.
Having said that, I was brought to Orchidland on a field trip with one of my UH College of Ag classes, back in the 1970's . As it was explained to me then, the lots on the roads perpendicular to the highway were square, because that's where people were going to live. The spaghetti lots ( 125' x 1045' ) in between the main roads were set up in the most efficient configuration for orchard farming. It is a very efficient lay out for the 'peninsula' design common at the time: one road down the middle, with cross roads every 2 rows of orchard planting to make harvesting easy and accessible. The potential crops we were told were were bananas, macadamias, papaya, and large landscaping material. We were taught about water catchment, gravity irrigation because of the sloping nature of the terrain, and the other myriad of details that would make it feasible to make a living on the basis of affordable agricultural land.
And then came the first residential building boom. Those of us who were beyond surprised that some one would buy a 125' x 1045' to live on, rather than farm, were amazed. And then out-numbered.
Edit: too many beers
Orchidland was created in 1959 by a group of local residents. The lawyer for the development was George Ariyoshi, who later went on to become Governor of the state.
Having said that, I was brought to Orchidland on a field trip with one of my UH College of Ag classes, back in the 1970's . As it was explained to me then, the lots on the roads perpendicular to the highway were square, because that's where people were going to live. The spaghetti lots ( 125' x 1045' ) in between the main roads were set up in the most efficient configuration for orchard farming. It is a very efficient lay out for the 'peninsula' design common at the time: one road down the middle, with cross roads every 2 rows of orchard planting to make harvesting easy and accessible. The potential crops we were told were were bananas, macadamias, papaya, and large landscaping material. We were taught about water catchment, gravity irrigation because of the sloping nature of the terrain, and the other myriad of details that would make it feasible to make a living on the basis of affordable agricultural land.
And then came the first residential building boom. Those of us who were beyond surprised that some one would buy a 125' x 1045' to live on, rather than farm, were amazed. And then out-numbered.
Edit: too many beers