business?

[EightFingers]

How about a ca....ca...ca... No, I can't say it. It's funny how many Hawaiians go to Las Vegas, tho'.

[kalakoa]

CSG and others: the PCDP was tailored to the whims of the largest landowner, so nothing will happen without their endorsement, and even then, the businesses will have to pay rent (enough rent to cover the construction and dealings with County for permits and zoning etc).

For comparison, look no further than the Makuu Farmers' Market: they're semi-exempt from County regulation (no zoning or construction issues, but they do cede to health inspections for food vendors, not unreasonable). Vibrant commerce, even on a "slow" day.

You can certainly "mentor" young businesspeople and help them navigate the County minefield, but these same small businesses are unlikely to have sufficient resources to succeed against the anti-development posture of the Planning and Building departments. Even an existing building with "correct" zoning will be subjected to arbitrary interpretations of "the Code".

Is there any reason for County Health to visit the same restaurant every two weeks despite a lack of violations or any kind of "probationary" status?

Does a bakery/cafe really impose higher structural load than a tire shop?

Best one: why can't the Building department manage to issue a checklist of problems instead of identifying one problem every 2-3 weeks? Projects that should take a month (and do, almost anywhere else) are dragged out for 6 months or longer. Overworked? Underfunded? Protecting their cushy County jobs (with cost-of-living adjustments and a pension)?

[birdmove]

I would second this.


[quote]Originally posted by nana valley

a gym with weights, exercise machines and dance instructors



Jon in Keaau/HPP

[kimo wires]

A good vegetarian/seafood restaurant,sit down style, featuring local produce/fish.
I can think of lots of businesses I'd like to see go away.

[hawaiian]

how thanks everyone those are some great idea's.....

[deserteagle50ae]

Jack in the box would be good.

[lisa]

Wonderful discussion, so far.
How about opportunities for kids after school?
Big Brother, Big Sister.
Soccer pitch with volunteer coaches.
Outdoor volleyball courts.
Commercial kitchen for farmers to value-add.

And one last suggestion with a question included in it. About that beach: Do I understand correctly that modifications can be made to shoreline w/out EIS when work is done by hand? Can grants pay for labor? What about work crews improving ocean-access; local bands playing music; invasive species removal. Get some jobs started that come with training for independence.

Just heard Cash & Carry is closing. Heckuva location.

[Rene Siracusa]

The largest landowner in Puna is WS Shipman, but they do not own land in the Pahoa area. The PCDP has identified Pahoa as a Village Center, where it will be easier to get zoning changed from R or Ag to Village Commercial. The Village Center concept is a keystone of the PCDP, and the idea is to consolidate all commercial development in a prescribed area. This would (1)make it easier to do all your chores and shopping in one area and save gas, (2)keep development from sprawling all over the landscape, and (3)advise potential developers where they can put their projects with minimum cost and paperwork. Anyone wanting to do a commercial project in Pahoa will have it easy.

There are other areas in Puna that have been designated as potential Village Centers with the same ability to cluster development, but none of these are as far along, procedurally, as Pahoa.

[ericlp]

Cash & Carry is closing. Heckuva location. That's one Heckuva rumor!

[Rob Tucker]

"Anyone wanting to do a commercial project in Pahoa will have it easy. "

Unfortunately that has not proven to be true. A recent applicant was opposed by TIffany Hunt of Hunt Surf Shop who managed to get the commercial application shot down or delayed.