BY ROBIN STETSON – An important Pahoa community gathering this Saturday, March 24th, at 3:00 p.m. will launch the Pahoa Regional Town Center Plan (“the Pahoa Plan”) and a Community Input Survey. The first half of the event, 3:00-4:30, will provide information and ask for feedback from the audience, and then from 4:30–6:00 there will be ono Taste of Pahoa refreshments and live music by the irresistible Kalapana Awa Band. Everyone
interested in the future of Pahoa is invited to attend this free public event.
The Pahoa Plan is a growth management plan for Pahoa, based on community vision and participation. It is an extension of the Puna Community Development Plan, which was adopted by County of Hawaii ordinance in 2008. It will serve to preserve historical Pahoa and guide its town center growth.
The “region” served by Pahoa is approximately equivalent to the 96778 zip code area and includes in full or in part the communities of Pahoa, Hawaiian Acres, Ainaloa, HPP, Hawaiian Beaches, Nanawale Estates, Leilani Estates, Kapoho, and Kalapana.
To generate widespread public input for this grassroots effort, the Pahoa Plan Steering Committee will host several survey locations at gathering places in and around Pahoa Town, including farmers’ markets, shopping centers, schools and other key locations.
During the 2-3 weeks period beginning March 31st, residents may share their ideas for Pahoa at these locations by either talk story or written survey. In addition, participating Pahoa businesses will have the written survey available to take on a walk-in basis during business hours. An online survey will also be available 24-7 and will “go live” on March 24th. The Survey will be available for everyone to take through April 30, 2012.
For more information about the Pahoa Plan, the Survey and this Saturday’s event at
the Pahoa Community Center, go online to: https://tinyurl.com/7dw9vkc.