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Big Island is pretty much the lead story on the evening news. Switch to any of the major networks and you'll see the volcano and lava updates. Not surprisingly, and a bit scary, is that the "reporting from" location is almost always Pahoa. The backdrop is always grim - orange cones, jersey barricades, armed ID checkpoints, and plenty of olive drab military "troop" transports. As a mainlander, I am very sympathetic to the loss of property and livelihoods. Having visited the Puna District twice as a tourist, I'm very much aware how tourist spending is needed. It's wishful thinking, perhaps, but it would be great if the "locals" could somehow steer the media circuses away from focusing on Pahoa, as it sure seems like the town is locked down.
Todd
Todd
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Umm yeah. Go ahead and edit this post for clarity please. Or maybe don't post at 3am.
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Hey, Joe- Basically saying that the news media is doing a disservice to all of the folks in your neck of the woods who depend on tourists getting out of their rental cars and spending money. Oh, BTW...Because of the 5-6 hour time difference, it looks as if I was up in the dead of night, but it was well into the mid-morning here. Aloha.
Todd
Todd
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hi todd, thanks so much for your good wishes and concern. i'm in the vacation rental business which has basically been shut down indefinitely. that said, i think its important while so many are evacuating to keep the traffic down to a minimum. maybe in the future but i don't think we are ready for tourism quite yet. it's very frustrating to be in the middle of relocating our animals or such and drive behind a car from kona, waimea or wherever out for a look while they don't know the roads and brake inappropriately when we are so stressed out. but yes in the future, that would be great and it would be nice to have some income.
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Todd's post was clear enough to me, and I appreciate his positive sentiment. Many of us here on Punaweb have criticized the exaggerations and inaccuracies of the media, so I see where he's coming from. I do think, however, that Punatic007 is correct in saying "maybe not just yet." Despite this whole ordeal having gone on almost a month now, the situation is constantly evolving and nerves are still raw. It may be a while before we know what the new "normal" is.
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The problem Pahoa has, and will for the foreseeable future, is that it's not a tourist destination itself and relies on people passing through on their way to Kapoho, Kalapana, or the lava flow, along with locals who live down around those areas and stop there as their closest place to get food and supplies. So with most of the population below there evacuated, there's not much reason for people to go there.
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Not surprisingly, and a bit scary, is that the "reporting from" location is almost always Pahoa.
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The location is listed as Pahoa because the entire area of 96778 zip code, IS Pahoa. Leilanai is Pahoa. Kapoho is Pahoa, etc.
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Mahalo, all for the feedback and insight. Rest assured, my wife and I are not planning a vacation to the Puna district (or Pahoa) in the near future. As much as we'd like to contribute to the economy, the most important priority is to ensure the safety and well-being of the residents. We would just be annoying haoles driving aimlessly and doing the looky-loo tour, and that would be a bit crass on our part. So, any contributions would be made through Red Cross or other reputable relief organization(s). Having grown up in Miami, I know all too well what it's like to prep for disaster (hurricanes!), and then the triage approach to what roads and neighborhoods get aid, and which ones are relegated to "wait a few more days." Indeed, it tests even those with the best preparation (and patience). Latest news is that volcanic activity has subsided a bit. So, maybe we'll visit next year, but will keep all of you in our thoughts for now.
Todd
Todd
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not planning a vacation to the Puna district (or Pahoa) in the near future
Too bad the Big Island has nothing else to offer.
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There's more to Puna than just Pahoa. Tourists are more than welcome in the rest of Puna. Otherwise, there's always the rest of the island.
Hawaii needs those tourist dollars. You shouldn't feel guilty for coming here.
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