COM 0045.012 2002-2004 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Executive Summary Since the demise of the sugar industry, people along the rural agricultura150-mile stretch of Hilo Hamakua Coast from the Wailuku River to Waipio have faced the prospect of revisioning their future. While some residents have managed to secure local employment, others have had to commute long distances to work, while still have others have succumbed to unemployment and face dismal prospects for meaningful work. To revitalize the local economy, the Hilo Hamakua Community Development Corporation (HHCDC) has, since 1994, sought to meet the needs of local residents. The desired outcome of this Plan is to help create a diverse and resilient economy based on local business ownership, expand local control of land and natural resources, increase access to financing for entrepreneurial initiatives, and enhance educational and other social opportunities which foster cultural appreciation and intergenerational communication. This Plan is the result of a two-yeaz process that examined the following questions: (1) What are the economic development priorities of local people, and how should they be supported? (2) What other pressing needs act as obstacles to community development and must be removed in order to facilitate overall community health and prosperity? (3) What role should the HHCDC play in the nett 20 years in facilitating sustainable community development? To answer these questions, the HHCDC engaged the three district community associations within it to conduct a survey and a series of facilitated public meetings in order to assess priority concerns and chart a course for a positive future. This information is needed if development efforts are to truly be owned by the members of the communities. It is important for everyone to know and understand the existing resowces and skills in the region so that these may be drawn upon and further cultivated; it is also important to assess needs so that residents, policy makers, and entrepreneurs can determine their role in shaping the community development process. The surveys and community conferences in 1999-2000 revealed over 100 important issues that warrant attention over the next 1-3, 3-5, and 5-20 years, in the areas of economics, education, environment, public safety, health caze, recreation, transportation, and the arts. Over 70 potential businesses and 250 jobs (conservative estimates) were idenfified during this planning effort. The issues of public safety and environmental education, protection and access seem to be the most critical to the people in our communities. Major priorities identified include restaurants and gas stations, agricultural marketing and farmers' markets, computer centers and classes, protection of sacred places, police visibility and neighborhood watch, environmental education, recycling and beautification, waste processing, hunting land and familand access, youth centers, health caze options, more public transportation, and available entertainment. Based on the data collected, the Plan features six community development goals and 21 objectives. The goals include: (1) Strategies to use local knowledge and skills to facilitate local business ownership; (2) Citizen engagement in political, technological and financial processes; (3) Programs and policies which bring young and old from throughout the region together for social, cultural, and economic purposes; (4) Educational initiatives which foster personal health and a sense of place while protecting the aitta; (5) Basic improvements to the community physical infrastructure; and (6) Ongoing public involvement in reseazch, planning and development efforts. With this Plan, the HHCDC has the data it needs to initiate economic and community development projects and involve residents in long-term public and private research and development partnerships with key stakeholders in the region. Sustainable community development is certainly within reach for the Hilo Hamakua Coast. 3