Puna VS Kau

[Easygoing]

I sm wondering why you punatics like the puna district better, instead of Kau. It seems like both areas are comparbly priced. Kau has much less rain , and way less Coqui and mosquito problems, and most properties have a ocean view. Trying to decide which area I may want to live in. Mahalo for everying you neat people do.
Easygoing.

[Kahunascott]

You forgot way less everything. Jobs are few in this region and shopping is limited. It’s almost ½ way to Kona and to Hilo. It is very beautiful and peaceful and the people are very nice. But if you need a job or to go shopping it’s a haul in either direction. If I were retired I would look at living there.

[JerryCarr]

It's all really a matter of preference, and there are nice homes and land available at reasonable prices in Kau and Puna. I live in HPP in Puna, and I love it here. From my somewhat prejudiced point of view the downsides to Kau are:

1. Isolation. It is a pretty long way to shopping and job opportunities if that's what you need. Medical care choices are even more limited than elsewhere on the island.

2. Vog. If you are sensitive to air pollution, it could be an issue.

3. Water supply. The reduced rainfall is good in some ways, but one is far more likely to have to haul in water in Kau. They are building a well, which will shorten the haul, but it will still cost for haulage.

There are also downsides to Puna, such as coqui infestation, overdevelopment, increasing traffic congestion, and limited shopping opportunities. I like the rain, but some folks don't.

BOTH Kau and Puna tend to be neglected by the county government and suffer from what many consider substandard police, fire, health, and transport services and infrastructure.

This is just my opinion, but I hope it helps you.

Cheers,
Jerry

[Carey]

I know a few students at UH-H that live in Kau, some are able to schedule their classes to the one round trip bus from Kau to Hilo, otherwise there is a long drive (some residents also use the bus to get into Hilo for Dr's appts.) For us, Puna was way more convient, as I am a "nontraditional - old- student at the University. Kau & Puna are both HUGE, so it is really hard to make a general statement, even about one being drier, as there are parts of Puna that get similar rainfall to parts of Kau. (and have the frogs - the paper today had a story on a Kau park that is closed next week for frog eradication- & mosquitoes that go with rain) Over all, though Puna has more rainfall, more dense forest growth, less bare lava flows, younger lava flows, currently less intensity earthquakes, more tradewind flow off of the ocean, more shopping & work oppurtunities within the district. That said, we have many friends who absolutely love Kau, other friends that absolutely love Puna.
Whether one is better for you is just one of the many things that you must answer for yourself. There are some excellent resourses available that give you more to look at than just price, frogs & mosquitoes.



Edited by - carey on 03/24/2007 14:55:53

[jm minica]

We live in HPP, and take trips to Kau regularly. There are some great spots out there if you are into fishing, surfing and 4x4'n. The biggest downsides with living in Kau have been mentioned in the previous posts. There is another thing to consider about Kau that may or may not be an issue with you; the wind. The south point area is essentially always windy. I heard on the radio the other day that there is at least a 25 knot wind blowing there at all times. Many times it's more like 35 knots. You really need to spend a good amount of time in both areas, there are many different things to consider when your thinking about moving here, it's very different than any place on the mainland.
Aloha,
Mark

[robguz]

As mentioned, things are just so far away in Kau. It is too sparsely populated for my tastes, and ocean access is generally pretty difficult except in a few areas. Ocean access isn't great in Puna, but there are a few areas, and Hilo is generally 30 minutes away and has more ocean access. I also think Puna is quite beautiful in comparison, has a more alternative feel to it, and of course the volcano is close by which is endlessly fascinating to me personally.