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Offending Letter To The Editor About Puna
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05-29-2007, 03:11 AM
Well said charsui pork!! They are going to pave HPP and I'm happy with the way it is now. The county will have a field day raising taxes here when that's done. You know they get the roads in and then they'll dig them all up to put in county water and MAKE you hook up to it and I don't like county water. I think it tastes nasty compared to my catchment water.
Royall What goes around comes around!
05-29-2007, 03:21 AM
HPP has already overwhelmingly voted to pave the roads, and the Board is now trying to arrange financing. I hope they do it right. I vote in every election, no matter how seemingly minor, and I abstained on the paving vote due to a lot of reasons. I, too, like the rural feel, and I had questions about the proposed financing. On the other hand, traffic has gotten so heavy even on the side roads, that potholes, dust and flying rocks can be a problem. I suggested increased maintenance, but my neighbors wanted paving, mainly because the Board convinced them they could finance it for what the maintenance costs. We'll see.
We are in a Catch-22 situation with infrastructure improvements in HPP and some other areas. If we leave it alone, people will keep coming for the cheap land and at some point things will get overwhelmed and unbearable. (Some folks think we are at or near that point already.) If we make improvements, we lose some of what we came her for. And, yes, land prices could go up even more than otherwise, pricing some people, both local and newcomer, out of their dream of living here. It is absurd for us to think that we can all move here and not have anything change because of it. It is absurd and unfair to think that we can move here and then try to slam the door on those who follow. We have to try to find a balance somehow, and maybe try some new approaches to growth. There are some good ideas out there such as placing village commercial centers and some schools in the subdivisions which could relieve congestion without massive road building. Running the free busses into some of the heavily populated subdivisions could help, too. It's time to think outside the box, because people will continue to move here no matter what we do. Cheers, Jerry
05-29-2007, 05:04 AM
"....find a balance somehow, and maybe try some new approaches to growth. ... It's time to think outside the box"
Yep. I agree. Wholeheartedly. Help me spread the word, yah? http://www.vhemt.org/
05-29-2007, 05:52 AM
I would ask those opposed to infrastructure, be it roads/ growth / development/ progress,
What is your alternative ? We continue to have this discussion over and over and over. Puna's population will bypass that of Hilo. People continue to move here almost daily. Like posted in another topic, I have personally been contacted by 5 families that will be moving here in the next few months.This simply due to my responses on Puna on other boards. I respect that you prefer a life , perhaps, that you have been used to, but in the same regard you simply cannot stick your head in the sand. Why should anyone be surprised with the letter writers sentiment ? I certainly have not been a resident as long as many of you, but for years the Puna district has garnered little respect due to "what it is and has been." The mindset on Puna needs to be changed. You may say " Well who cares what Kona thinks of us, or Oahu residents as a whole" , but the image that these people / politicians have of us will certainly effect our "standing". The issue comes down to the elected council members - past and present. Malolo, you have been here for twenty years, where has the focus of the PUNA politicians been ? Obviously not making the hard decisions with a bit of foresight, even today.
05-29-2007, 06:30 AM
Malolo, Charsui and Royall I agree with you.
Personally, I think the "need for infrastructure" directly corresponds to the level of self-sufficiency. If you are not prepared to live off-grid and deal with pv, and catchment systems, you should find a place to live that already has electric and water. If you really don't want to hassle with rough roads, there are a lot of paved ones out there to choose from. I think these issues should be given some serious and REALISTIC consideration when people are thinking of moving to rural areas like Puna. These places often contain some of the last stands of intact native forest and useable agricultural lands. Converting them into typical suburbs with storm drains and wide roads would radically alter the ecosystem, not to mention the rural quality of life many of us enjoy. Sure enough, some change will come eventually... but it always seems to work out best when you live in a place you can accept and love pretty much just the way it is... Maybe we should take a look at the fact that there are a lot of folks living well in Puna with very little in the way of "improved infrastructure". Many people come here to live more lightly on the land, even if it sometimes winds up being less "convenient". Wouldn't it be great if other places were more like Puna that way... say, the Kona side hotels and commercial buildings provided their own solar power instead of relying on County infrastructure? Or if big box stores in Hilo used their own catchment systems instead of County water? Maybe less centralized infrastructure and more self-sufficiency is the way to go. Before assuming that more County infrastructure would be an improvement, I think its worth a good look at what's already working here in Puna. Jerry, I see your point as well. It sometimes is a catch 22 and will require some out-of-the-box creative solutions. I still believe that people should appreciate the uniqueness of the place where they now live, rather than remaking it into the place they left behind. Aloha to all, Mitzi
Uluhe Design
Native Landscape Design uluhedesign@yahoo.com
05-29-2007, 07:46 AM
To whine or not to whine, is more a personal choice than to be part of a dynamic community.
Ten vehicles on a dirt road is one thing, 110 vehicles on the same dirt road has a quantifiable, visible impact. The county approved these substandard subdivisions with NO forsight into the future. Who even contemplated westward migration into Puna? Well, here it is... If someone has a viable mechanisim to "un-subdivide" then bring it to the council. So... how do we live together in COMMUNITY with thoughtful awareness of each other? Some people equate rural as an unrestricted opportunity to pile trash wherever... To dig a cesspool, wherever... To let their kids play in the road and their dogs run free... Maybe when all these subdivided lots didn't have a dwelling on them, maybe then it worked out ok. Now, it doesn't... The financial ability to own one, two, three plus cars and build a dwelling to house them, doesn't automatically grant that person a "right" to drive at breakneck speed, "whine" about the roads, and demand new ones through existing subdivisions. Again, I'm back to conscious thinking about each other no matter how long any of us have lived here.
05-29-2007, 08:03 AM
Genxor;
You serious need to quit answering your own questions if you want someone to answer them. Let's look at the big picture. Everything was cool before you came and now it is uncool once you got here. Alternative?? You are the alternative and not a welcome one at that for those that were happy with the status quo. Staying on topic ("the big picture" if you have forgotten), you have no idea how insignificant this internet chatter is. There are many years of history you need to understand before you attempt to take this one on. First and foremost, Hilo rules the Island of Hawaii. There is no way, NO WAY, the government (and you can slice that any way way you want to) AND the big landowners (who got big by working hand in hand with the government) are going to accomodate your requests for infrastructure at the expense of Hilo proper. Don't believe me, try traveling on Railroad Ave from beginning to end. Getting on the growth bandwagon may look like you are doing something but history shows it just ain't gonna work. See Kona and Kohala for examples. How much pushback do you think you are going to get right next door to Hilo? Go back to answering your own questions and "doing something". Use a little of that foresight too. I'll get my lawnchair out as it is a pleasure to watch someone beat their head against a rock. You'll eventually pass out tho but I am sure there is someone else who is willing to take your place. Time to go fishing......... Edited by - charsui pork on 05/29/2007 12:05:48
05-29-2007, 08:22 AM
Here is an angle I thought of in regards to
this letter. There has been many deaths on Puna's roads. Why should residents of Puna have to deal with less safer roads than Hilo. This letter writer in short is criticizing Puna residents for wanting safer roads... Edited by - Aaron S on 05/29/2007 12:23:36
05-29-2007, 08:27 AM
quote: With that line of thinking, the Big Island should be split into multiple counties.In the past yes I can see why Hilo was the Fat Cat and got all great infrastructure. But times change. Edited by - Aaron S on 05/29/2007 12:28:19 Edited by - Aaron S on 05/29/2007 12:28:52
05-29-2007, 08:43 AM
I actually agree with those who would like to see Hawaii county split into two. West Hawaii can do whatever they want and I could care less. It would mean less tax dollars for us in East Hawaii but that would suit me just fine as well. All the newcomers to Puna who are complaining about lack of infrastructure and services will leave as the situation gets even worse. Those contemplating the move here will likely be dissuaded because Puna land would likely become less desirable decreasing prices. All pluses in my mind.
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