Puna may need more long term lava planning?

[Guest]

Yes the lava flow is still active and once again threatening structures while spreading down hill. While this flow has affected many puna residents already, many others could be affected in the coming months or years.
The change of the community center, transfer station, alternate roads, school buildings, have all helped us for the short term reality of such a disaster taking place. This has the potential of being a very long term flow that could bring many different hazards to our community the longer we may be exposed. So far our state and county has spent millions in trying to keep residents away from the flow and in their homes.
With unlimited resources for this disaster wouldn't it be nice to plan ahead both short term and long term for the high possibility of this being a long eruption as well?. What could be done for the folks affected the most now?. Where can those who must move move safely and affordably. What can be done for the keiki on the south side of the flows?. Mail, hospital, and education needs are some big things that could be very problematic out here.
So my question is, what are some good ideas or things this puna community could do now with unlimited resources? The future park money (long term) has now gone into emergency roads that may only be used for a few months or year, (short term). We need to think about moving businesses, homes, and stop the growing of puna both residentually as well as infrastructually. Spending hundreds of millions of dollars to keep people complacent of very serious long term health and life hazards should not be a long term plan.
Insurance of any kind may be harder to get for many reasons in this affected area, this is now a disaster area. I would imagine good lawyers would be worth more too, I can see the mental stress of an on going lava disaster with no place to go might make some rob, assault, or just simply not care as much. Then the lawyers can plead for them mentally unstable or insanity, or even that they had the new lava larva infection. Maybe with the new laws folks wont have a right to a lawyer let alone a good one. Heck some may feel jail or prison would be a good break with more options and opportunities.
Maybe this has already been thought of as long term problems for our community and that is why we have 85 new guards stationed with new laws being written by our best lawyers and or mayor? Thanks for reading a few concerns and these are only opinions.

[Punaperson]

No one has 'unlimited resources'.

Just as peoples' personal budgets are being strained, so are the County's and the State's, by this and all the other things that are happening in our lives while the lava is flowing. While the President's declaration of emergency does open a path to a few more dollars, even the Federal government is a long way from 'unlimited resources'.

You've mentioned repeatedly that you want to move. If you need to move, for what ever reason, don't count on some other entity to pick up the tab.

[kalakoa]

The words "more" and "lava" are irrelevant; Puna needs a useful long-term plan.

[lavalava]

Do what is best for you and your ohana Gypsy, good luck to you.

[pahoated]

There is a real prospect for another wave of carpet baggers to rush into the area if there is any federal money relief.

It isn't even a worst case scenario that Hwy 130 is eventually cut off. That is the biggest long range effect. Unfortunately, just as people had crapped their pants over the flow reaching the ocean in the first two days after June 27, there will be those among us, described as opportunistic, that will already be scheming how to divert disaster relief funds, through their elected representatives.

"Mahalo nui Pele, 'ae noho ia moku 'aina" - kakahiaka oli

[DanielP]

I suspect, that in the long run, most of the town of Pahoa may be lost. Many people will need to relocate up-wind. Perhaps Kaimu or some other spot may become a new commercial center. Those who rely on frequent access to Hilo will probably need to move North. Some who wish to be in an isolated community will move in; Royal Gardens may be re-built. Ya never know. Time will tell, and with patience, Lower Puna will evolve; in Hawaiian Time.

[fishenjim]

Seems the propaganda is working,not the first quote of lets just call Pahoa D.O.L.A.(dead on lava arrival) I've heard. Seems the government Fed,County,Local,would just as soon give up on Pahoa as well. Where's that hardy Puna spirit? Pahoa is open for business as far as I can tell. Why in The world are these entities,Gov, tourism organizations etc, telling people to stay away? Seems they are determined to ruin Pahoa lava or no. What does Puna have? Lava and lots of it. Instead of flying around all day saying the lava isn't moving or oh my some tires caught on fire. Why don't they put some effort and funds into constructing some safe viewing areas? Maybe some of the helicopters flying around could be lava tourists. I'm not coming up with original ideas here it's all been said before. Businesses are struggling for no reason other than this propaganda,and doomsday mentality. I work in Pahoa and I would really like to see some officials actually mention no Business in Pahoa has been forced to close by the lava,any effect of the lava or any government restrictions. I know several Business owners in Pahoa who would agree in spirit with this point of view. I'm sure there are many more, like most of them I would Imagine. I know Leslie who I work for at Kaleos has done a lot to get the message out that Pahoa is open for business. I know she has the ear of some of the Hawaii county Officials and most of the other people of influence in Puna. I'm pretty sure I've served lunch to many of them. Leslie would like me to invite any business owners in Puna to call the restaurant if you would like to set up a meeting with other concerned business owners who intend to stay open and thrive in spite of,because of or regardless of the LAVA. She may be a little hard to reach at times but leave your name and number and mention Puna Web. You could also ask for Jim I'm there 5 days a week or so. I think she would like to set something up for as soon as next week. I will be there thur-Sat during the day if you call then and ask for Jim I May have additional Info. MAHALO.

[PaulW]

It's good to hear from someone involved in a Pahoa business that Pahoa is open for business.

It's disappointing that some people, mostly those who live nowhere near there, presume to tell others that not only Pahoa but the whole of Puna should be avoided because that would be despicable "disaster tourism".

[Mendo]

Agree with fishinjim. We need to get the word out that Pahoa is open. Kudos to those businesses staying open.

[punafish]

I'd like to see Pahoa start throwing regular street parties, call it a "Welcome Madame Pele" festival. Block off the streets, get local bands to volunteer to play, allow street vendors to sell their wares, bring in kumu hulas, other Hawaiian practitioners, maybe even dancers, jugglers and local celebrities. (Personally I'd like to get the National Guard to join our limbo line.) Then make a deal with the tour companies to bus in tourists who want to party in Pahoa. Donate all proceeds to the less fortunate in our community. Main Street Pahoa would seem to be the logical entity to manage such an event. But I'd volunteer to help!

Just to add...this would (in theory) help our businesses by making Pahoa a bonafide tourist attraction.

This is where kalakoa chimes in to tell me why it can't be done.