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<br />DISTRICTS
<br />The following is a brief analysis by judicial district with courses of action
<br />for each district. The entire County, however, is an economic system and there
<br />are many interrelationships and interdependencies among the various dis-
<br />tricts. Each district is an integral part of the County and is treated as such. The
<br />courses of action shall be consistent with and supportive of the goals, policies,
<br />and standards set forth in the overall economic element.
<br />PUNA
<br />Profile
<br />Population
<br />1960
<br />1970
<br />% Change
<br />Puna District
<br />5,030
<br />5,154
<br />2.5
<br />Keaau
<br />1,334
<br />951
<br />-28.7
<br />Mountain View
<br />566
<br />419
<br />-26.0
<br />Pahoa
<br />1,046
<br />924
<br />-11.7
<br />Other
<br />2,084
<br />2,860
<br />37.2
<br />Population increased slightly in Puna as a result of employment opportuni-
<br />ties in the city of Hilo and in agriculture within the district. Contributing also
<br />to this increase was an in -migration into subdivided areas.
<br />Puna is primarily an agricultural district. The area also includes part of
<br />the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, large undeveloped subdivisions, forest
<br />reserves, and several small concentrations of population. Most of the subdivi-
<br />sions were created prior to the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance and are in
<br />agricultural zones.
<br />Sugar is the principal crop grown in Puna, and the towns of Pahoa,
<br />Keaau, and Mountain View were created as a result of this industry. According
<br />to a land use survey by the County Planning Department in 1968-1969, some
<br />27,530 acres were devoted to sugar. Recent capital improvements at the Puna
<br />plantation indicate the fairly viable condition of the industry in the area. Another
<br />major crop in the area is macadamia nuts.
<br />Diversified agriculture in the form of truck farming in the Volcano area,
<br />papaya groves in the Kapoho area, and flowers, principally anthuriums and
<br />vanda orchids, in the Mountain View, Pahoa and Kapoho areas is important.
<br />The papaya and flower industries have experienced rapid growth in recent
<br />years. Factors currently inhibiting the growth of these industries are the short-
<br />age of labor, housing, and plant disease. The latter problem is especially severe
<br />in the papaya industry.
<br />The only manufacturing conducted in the Puna area is that connected with
<br />the sugar and macadamia nut industries. There is a plant in the area which
<br />was built to process acerola, but processing has been discontinued.
<br />Except for the Kulani Prison project, there are no major government in-
<br />stallations in the Puna district.
<br />The visitor industry has very little visible effect on the Puna district other
<br />than some roadside stands. There are a number of visitor attractions frequented
<br />by tourists, such as the Kaimu Black Sand Beach, portion of the Volcanoes
<br />National Park, and the Painted Church.
<br />Puna's population will probably continue to grow at a gradual rate. The
<br />major sector of its economy will continue to be sugar while the other forms of
<br />agriculture, such as papaya, macadamia nuts and flowers, will increase. How-
<br />ever, there are several problem areas which have already been mentioned as well
<br />as others such as capital requirements which have to be overcome for expan-
<br />sion. There is also potential for a limited amount of visitor facilities in the form
<br />of small accommodations and support facilities, such as recreational areas,
<br />botanical parks, and others. Puna also will continue to serve as a residential area
<br />for some people working in Hilo city.
<br />Courses Of Action
<br />• The County shall assist the further development of the agricultural in-
<br />dustry by providing support services, such as co-operation with other
<br />agencies in developing manpower training programs, protecting prime
<br />agricultural lands, and requesting and providing necessary capital
<br />improvements.
<br />• The overseas capacity at Hilo's General Lyman Field is extremely im-
<br />portant to the development of Puna's export crops. The County shall
<br />continue to encourage the further development of this facility.
<br />• There is potential for limited visitor facilities in the form of small ac-
<br />commodations and support facilities, such as natural areas, botanical
<br />gardens, and limited commercial facilities. Resort growth should en-
<br />hance and be in keeping with this area's rural character.
<br />SOUTH HILO
<br />Profile
<br />Population
<br />1960
<br />1970
<br />% Change
<br />South Hilo
<br />31,553
<br />33,915
<br />7.5
<br />Hilo City
<br />25,966
<br />26,353
<br />1.5
<br />Hakalau
<br />650
<br />742
<br />14.2
<br />Honomu
<br />663
<br />737
<br />11.7
<br />Papaikou
<br />1,591
<br />1,888
<br />18.7
<br />Other
<br />2,683
<br />4,195
<br />56.4
<br />Population growth has occurred in virtually all areas of the South Hilo
<br />district. The city of Hilo experienced a larger increase in residents than that
<br />depicted above. The statistical boundary change prior to the 1970 census re-
<br />duced the city's population by more than 1000.
<br />The city of Hilo (hereafter referred to as Hilo) is the County seat and the
<br />only metropolitan area on the island. Hilo also functions as the island's indus-
<br />trial, commercial, distribution and population core. The city is also the second
<br />gateway to the State of Hawaii for domestic overseas carriers. Approximately
<br />40% of all Big Islanders live in this city. The rest of the population is scattered
<br />in smaller settlements throughout the island.
<br />Sugar, as in most areas of the island, is one of the largest single industries
<br />in the South Hilo area. Although plantings of sugar cane are found within the
<br />city limits, most of the cane is grown in the rural areas. Hilo Harbor serves as the
<br />primary shipping point for the sugar industry. A number of related industries
<br />are also located in the city, such as fertilizer distributors, petroleum product
<br />distributors, machine and equipment dealers, repair facilities, and some light
<br />manufacturing. Several crop and livestock businesses are located in South Hilo.
<br />Hilo is also known as the Orchid Capital of the world, as flowers are grown
<br />extensively throughout the vicinity. In addition to orchids, anthuriums have
<br />been making remarkable progress in marketability.
<br />Several kinds of manufacturing operations are located in Hilo, including
<br />the processing of food, fruit, sugar, livestock, and garment manufacturing. There
<br />is also small scale lumber milling. The forest reserves represent a large, virtually
<br />untapped economic resource.
<br />With the establishment of a four-year college there is potential for further
<br />research and development industries in the city. Already established in Hilo are
<br />the Cross Cultural Center for Research and Training, the University of Hawaii
<br />Cloud Physics Laboratory, and agricultural experiment stations.
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