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SECTION 6. NORTH KONA VISION STATEMENT <br />The Kona district continues to be known for its sunny skies, beautiful vistas, and pristine <br />waters, as well as diversified agriculture, historic and cultural resources, casual lifestyle, and <br />friendly residents. <br />The land north of Keahole is characterized by open space and low density uses with public <br />shoreline parks and access points. Resorts and related uses are located at Manini owali, Kuki'o, <br />and Ka'upulehu. Residential uses are concentrated in the urban areas between Queen <br />Ka'ahumanu and Mamalahoa Highways. <br />From Keahole to Keauhou, the land is characterized by urban uses, interspersed with open <br />space and public shoreline accesses. Economic centers are located in areas adjacent to Queen <br />Ka'ahumanu Highway. Historic Kailua Village and Bay serve as the traditional residential, <br />economic and recreational hub, although expansion of Honokohau Harbor, development of <br />nearby business parks, including the unique Hawaii Ocean and Science Technology Park, <br />coupled with expanded civic, commercial, residential, educational, and recreational facilities, <br />especially north of Kailua, provide improved opportunities for residents and visitors alike. <br />Residents and visitors enjoy access to traditional shoreline and mountain areas. A ribbon of <br />public recreational opportunities extend from Kailua to Kholo and beyond. <br />Affordable housing is available within and close to the urban core and employment centers. <br />Adequate and concurrent public infrastructure facilities are available throughout the district, <br />including safe and up-to-date roadways, public safety services, along with recreational, <br />educational, civic and medical facilities. <br />Alternative and accessible public transportation is available not only in the urban core, but also <br />to the nearby and outlying residential areas, with Kailua serving as the system hub. Pedestrian <br />and bicycle pathways are part of the urban area roadway corridors, with traditional and <br />publicly -owned mauka-makai trails utilized to maintain local community contacts and provide <br />recreational opportunities. <br />Areas mauka of Mamalahoa Highway are characterized by large forested tracts, open space, <br />large 5+ acre agricultural lots and low-density residential use, offering important protection of <br />the Kona watershed and mauka recharge areas. As part of this protection, natural <br />drainageways below Mamalahoa Highway are identified and set aside as open space. <br />The mauka communities along the heritage corridor between Keopu and Kealakekua continue <br />to offer traditional and longstanding residential -agricultural opportunities, with smaller 1-5 acre <br />farms in the coffee belt adjacent to and below Mamalahoa Highway. <br />13 <br />