Good news for Puna makai alternate road?

[MyManao]

That would be a nice bike ride, no doubt.

Actually there's no definitive route shown in the Ruderman article, just a reference to a map in the original Puna Community Development Plan, which shows a few alternatives. 

Interestingly, on that map, is the old Hilo/Puna Trail (which isn't mapped right but hey), which I'd put forth as the most logical. Of course whatever route decided would have a lot to do with whatever Shipman's plans for the future are. Since this change in stance by them can only mean they have developed plans for subdivisions in the area and a road is what they need to get started, I imagine the'd rather keep that lower route for upscale homes, while promoting a more mauka path under the guise of it being more practical. 

The thing is, the Puna Trail, since it is a documented route that was in existence before and after the fall of the Kingdom, is grandfathered into law, and should be a fairly easy sell in the courts. Whereas I doubt they can get the same over the alternatives. And, of course, it'd be fun to see Shipman squirm if they had to give up their exclusive control over the coast.

And still.. I suspect many of us will be dead and gone long before anything actually happens.