KTA looking to place a new market at Auli`i Dr.

[Rob Tucker]

There was a big battle on the issue of commercial development of Hwy. 130 in 2007. It concerned a self storage facility application. With a lot of community effort the battle was fought and won. This was as the PCDP was just getting started. A different self storage facility is now about to open in Pahoa Village. Success.

I believe that that 2007 battle resulted in the Woodland Center (Longs Drugs) locating within Pahoa Village. A better location than having Burger King, KFC and Longs stretched out along the highway at Makuu, Paradise Drive or Ainaloa.

To keep the Village Center plan viable people will need to pay attention. Don't just depend on the PCDP Action Committee or Frineds of Puna's Future (www.fopf.org). Take a minute or two and send in testimony yourself. OR support the Action Committee and FoPF by joining in and participating in an organized way. None of us are against business investment.... we welcome it. We just want it to proceed on the Village Center model.

The current application for KTA will not be the last attempt to find corner locations along the highway. Once one succeeds it will set a precedent and it will be hard to deny the next. Fortunately the Planning Department and Planning Commission have so far been aligned with avoiding strip mall development.

So let's work together, not to stop KTA, but to encourage KTA to relocate within a Village Center of their choice.

[Kapohocat]

What about the area kitty corner from the current Keaau shopping center where the old bldg used to be across from Mickey D's?

If any one really wants my 2 cents opinion, I would personally be more inclined to use KTA if it was in Keaau town in the location stated above, than have to pull off and on Hwy 130 when cars are doing 45-60 mph so I guess a stop light or roundabout is mandatory if they do get it. My bank is in Keaau, why would I stop mid hwy instead of going to Foodland across the street from it.

Besides expressing our opinions to the Planning Commission, and on PunaWeb - I would also suggest sending an articulate (not Puna crazy) letter to:

KTA Superstores Corporate Office
50 E Puainako St
Hilo, HI 96720

PS Is Gerald Yamada the same brother who runs the Con-ag/Yamada batch plant or is this a different relative?

[Kahunascott]

Kat, Gerald Yamada owns GW Construction in Shipmen not Yamada and Sons

If you think health care is expensive now, wait until you see what it cost when it’s free...now here come the taxes.....

[Nalu]

I agree with Kat, Keaau would be more logical. Another point to be made is that folks like us that live up in Mt. View would not drive south to go to KTA, but I would gladly prefer to stop in Keaau for shopping than go on to Hilo. By being in Keaau you open up the market to all the folks that live up Hwy 11. The proposed site makes no sense to me. Angela

[Rob Tucker]

The bigger issue here is just whether or not the Planning Department (Bobbie Jean Leithead-Todd) will abandon the Puna Community Development Plan (PCDP) and promote highway development or not?

[Chuysmom]

But they already have a supermarket in Keaau.

[macuu222]

Putting it on Hwy 130 next to the bank just before Hwy 11 would have been nice. That place is all paved and ready to go for businesses and not one builder (besides the credit union). How many years has that been sitting there?

[Nalu]

This is true, and Foodland is a step up from Puna fresh, but it's still expensive, they don't carry things I want, and frankly I rarely go there. I love KTA, and their myriad of local products and shop them first for any fresh items, meats, fish, eggs, milk, veggies etc..They are doing some clearing right next to the park and playgound in Keaau. I thought something was going in over there. Any one know anything about this? I hear you Rob, and wholeheartedly agree. While convenience is nice, it could be the opening of Pandora's box. I don't think anyone wants to see urban sprawl. I thought at one time they were looking into the area by the new CU Hawaii. It's already cleared and there's a traffic light there. Again, would make more sense.

[Chuysmom]

I wonder if they think that CU Hawaii location is too close to the KTA in town.

[macuu222]

Your probably right Chuysmom. If I recall, Longs bought two of those properties by the Credit Union a while back with the intent to build a store there....and then for some reason changed their mind and built in Pahoa.