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

[DanielP]

With my connection speed, I could spend days digging and only chip at the content there. Anyone have a link to a map of the proposed layout?

Mahalo, Dan

[Rob Tucker]

It is located here but is almost 4 MB as a download. It should also be available in any local library.

http://www.hawaiicountycdp.info/puna-cdp...mendations

[taropatch]

Download the PDF. The map on 3-6 shows proposed village centers.

http://www.hawaiicountycdp.info/puna-cdp...a.pdf/view

[macuu222]

No retailer big or small will want to build inside a private subdivision like HPP which lacks good roads, water, and other things too numerous to mention. The Highway is the only logical place for a large retailer like KTA. What it always comes down to is money. I think that KTA needs this grocery store on Hwy 130 to be competitive with both Safeway and Target superstores in Hilo and Foodland in Keaau. While they may listen to the concerns of the Orchidland Association members....they are ultimately going to do what they need to do to maintain their profitability.

[Rob Tucker]

Good point. So do we let the Hilo businessmen decide Puna's fate for the next half century? They have made such an architectural wonderland in Hilo after all.

[punafish]

Macuu222,

You might be right that KTA will ultimately do what they need to do to maintain their profitability. But only if your assumption is correct that we, the community, are powerless victims. And we very well might be.

Another assumption you're making is the kind of company KTA is (again, your assumption might be correct.) Just understand that profitability comes in different flavors: long-term and short-term, sustainable and non-sustainable. The elite, enduring companies of the world invest in communities and work with them, often times sacrificing profits in the short-term with an eye on sustaining over the long-haul. These are typically privately held companies with a social conscience and practical understanding of our inter-connectedness (businesses need a healthy society to survive). I have no idea what kind of company KTA is, just saying that you can't paint all companies with the same brush. (And yes, I'm fortunate to have elite companies as clients, companies that have helped me sustain through the toughest of times.)

A company with a long-term vision would choose to be a good corporate citizen and work with the community to find the right balance. Hopefully KTA is such a company.

[macuu222]

I would like to agree with you Punafish....Really I would. Having big business work with the community is the best possible scenario for all involved. But the economy is not cooperating. The long term outlook (in my view)is saying people in this area won't be able to afford those repeated trips to Hilo to buy groceries with gasoline approaching $5.00 a gallon or higher. And its also saying that current businesses will be struggling to stay alive and will do what it has to to survive. If it ultimately means succeeding on a loophole in the community development plan...so be it.

[allensylves]

If the 'community', in its infinite wisdom, decides that development should be in 'centers' off of 130, then why should the 'community' (i. e., the taxpayers) not pay for the additional costs of a water main or well, access road, etc., for the center? The businesses that locate in the center would then be expected to pay for the same costs as they would if they were located on 130.

Allen
Baton Rouge, LA & HPP

[punafish]

I would love not to have to drive to Hilo to buy groceries. But if given a choice to carpool or turn Puna into a strip-mall, I'd rather carpool and go to Hilo. But that's me. I probably don't represent the community. Maybe you do.

Just so you know, the really good companies are sustaining--some even thriving--in this economy. Not saying KTA is that savvy, just saying that a "bad economy" doesn't justify exploiting communities. You believe building the store come hell or high water (or congested, unsafe highway) is the only long-term outlook for all involved. I believe business decisions are more textured than a simple yes-no, black-white, only-2-option view of the world.

But again, you are likely correct: our community is helpless and impotent; and KTA isn't capable of or willing to find a suitable balance and/or compromise. Too bad.

[Rob Tucker]

allensylves,

You are very close to a central point in all of this. The "community" (or Puna landowners/taxpayers) have been paying for infrastructure for years. Millions of dollars. Puna just hasn't been getting the infrastructure.

Did you know that Ag land is taxed at a higher rate than Residential land? Where are the Ag lots? Where are the Res lots? Where are the water well and lines? Where is the pavement in the county? Puna has been and continues to be a revenue mine for the County of Hawaii.

Hilo will not change this formula willingly. Hilo will mold Puna to it's cheapest lowest common denominator if it is allowed to. Lots of cheap metal boxes lining the highway.