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1.6.2 Challenges <br />1.6.2.1 Natural and Cultural <br />• Mauka forests are threatened by feral animals and invasive flora and fauna <br />• Shoreline movement and the nature of Hamakua's dynamic coastal bluffs are poorly understood <br />• Mauka and makai access is sometimes limited and/or unmanaged <br />• Natural disasters — landslides, wildfires, earthquakes, tsunami, hurricanes, flooding — are a consistent <br />threat <br />1.6.2.2 Settlement Patterns <br />• Open space, working agricultural lands, and the coastline are vulnerable to inappropriate development. <br />• The recent trend and likely future build -out potential is largely in the pre -code (and pre -Statehood) <br />homestead lands which often lack adequate infrastructure for increased density <br />• Potential for existing and new developments to build out in ways that could undermine the community's <br />unique character and rural lifestyle <br />1.6.2.3 Infrastructure, Facilities, and Service, <br />• Long distances to travel for basic services and healthcare <br />• Lack of municipal water availability within some towns encourages residents to move into agricultural <br />lands <br />• Undefined strategies for locating and funding emergency facilities; rural road networks; water and other <br />infrastructure; schools, clinics, and other public facilities; and parks. <br />• High number of roads -in -limbo and no defined strategy to address improvements or adoption <br />• Some park facilities are closed due to poor maintenance or hazardous conditions. 'O'6kala gym is <br />permanently closed; the Hakalau gym and the Laupahoehoe boat ramp are closed indefinitely. <br />Papa'aloa gym is partially cordoned off due to hazardous materials; Hakalau tennis courts are an <br />inadequate playing surface, and the gyms in Papa'ikou need to be reroofed. <br />1.6.2.4 Economic Development <br />• Barriers to agricultural sustainability, including land tenure, water, and infrastructure. <br />• Available workers exceed available jobs in Hamakua, so many people commute to Kona or Hilo for work. <br />• Because of limited retail, service, and entertainment businesses, the majority of local dollars are being <br />spent outside the community. <br />• Limited capture of high volume visitor traffic. <br />22 <br />