10-04-2017, 05:02 AM
I'd be happy to go to Keaau or Pahoa if they had a bigger range of goods and services than is currently on offer. That would lessen the need for PMAR by reducing traffic in terms of both shopping trips and commuting for jobs. Unfortunately the county zoning, planning, and permitting departments seem to all be arrayed against sensible commercial development in Puna. The good old boys in charge long ago decided that we need to keep going to Hilo ad infinitum. The Shipmans have been able to use their influence to get some limited development in Keaau, but it doesn't really solve the bigger issue.