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All these villages along the east coast were plantation villages. When the plantation business model fell apart, they gradually were acquired by the workers. Land deals went on from there. Pahoa is no different from the other plantation villages, things just stay the same because that's the way it is. Puna is very fortunate to have enough rain that out of control fires are very rare. Old Pahoa village is like a powder keg, with everything all connected together, and hundred year old wood.
Kea'au kind of stands out because they decided they were too termite infested and maintaining a wild west old town wasn't seen as workable, especially in the location. Starting at 1:21, there are a few slides comparing old Kea'au village and now.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9sk1bIBZpnw
With the Socal development plan for Pahoa area nailed in a coffin, things are mostly going to stay in stasis where it is now, for years to come.
"Aloha also means goodbye. Aloha!"
*Japanese tourist on bus through Pahoa, "Is this still America?*
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Should Pahoa's future development be sustainable?
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"Sustainable" to what? Lava flows? Tourists? Drugged-up homeless bums?
Keeping the look and feel, or character of the village would be nice, but business owners should decide what may or may not be sold, not public service types.
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quote:
Originally posted by kalakoa
Oversimplified solution:
1. Old-Town Pahoa remains exactly as-is. If a building collapses, a reproduction is built.
2. New Old Town Pahoa is built according to the Pahoa Town Historic Style Guidelines, but in a place that's not so directly in the path of lava.
3. Weatherford for Mayor.
Thanks, kalakoa.
You are following the thread very well.
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This passed in yesterday's council, the awaited/unexpected rezoning of Pahoa village.
Bill 282 Defines Pahoa Village Design (PVD) District
First order of business will be to standardize the parking signs and having a parking area requirement. The bill still has to get through the mayor's office.
"Aloha also means goodbye. Aloha!"
*Japanese tourist on bus through Pahoa, "Is this still America?*
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I think downtown Pahoa would be helped by making Mainstreet one way from 130 to Post office Road.
This would allow room for diagonal parking(more spaces) and the occasional landscaped micro park. The side with the diagonal parking stalls would switch every 50 feet or so with a crosswalk and planting area.
This would;
1.Be safer
2.Be more pedestrian friendly
3.Allow more cars to park on Main St.
4.Create small green-spaces in town
5.Stimulate shopping and dinning Downtown
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landscaped micro park
Providing a place for "the public" to urinate would be a massive improvement!
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It's going to be hard to do anything without building a sewage treatment plant first !
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a sewage treatment plant
That's what the "micro parks" are for!
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quote:
Originally posted by snorkle
I think downtown Pahoa would be helped by making Mainstreet one way from 130 to Post office Road.
This is 50% of what happened when they closed the road because they didn't know about the imaginary line that lava wouldn't cross and it almost killed the businesses down there. Generally, one-way streets work when the street going the other direction is only a block away. Where does traffic go the other way? If you can't find a parking space, do you have to drive 3 miles to get back to your missed parking space? Do that a few times and it takes less time to get to Hilo (though it will take you twice as long to get back, due to the Keaau Krawl)
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The whole point of a one way street and diagonal parking is the increase in parking spaces. I read this as good for Main St.
If there isn't a space? Do what you do now; drive around and look, or go to Luquins.
If you think that going all the way around Post Office Rd would be five minutes of your life that you never get back, you should by all means, go to Hilo.
The public Bathroom comments are right on target, and along with public shower facilities, would be a great improvement.
