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Further south along the coast, Boise Cascade has begun site work on another
<br />large resort -residential development. There are several factors, however, which
<br />constrain growth. One of the most critical is labor supply. Existing develop-
<br />ments have virtually exhausted the labor supply in the surrounding areas.
<br />Within the district housing has been extremely scarce.
<br />Kawaihae Harbor is the second deepwater port on the island. The Kawai-
<br />hae small boat harbor, when completed, will add to the inventory of amenities
<br />in the district. This facility will enhance recreational and commercial sport
<br />fishing activities. There are proposals to service Kawaihae Harbor with an inter-
<br />island ferry. Inter -island jets land at the Waimea-Kohala Airport in Waimea.
<br />Courses Of Action
<br />• The county shall assist the development of agriculture in South Kohala
<br />by protecting prime agricultural land from urbanization, by providing or
<br />having provided the necessary capital improvements, such as water,
<br />and by working cooperatively with other agencies.
<br />• The County shall work closely with the State in providing adequate
<br />land close to Kawaihae Harbor for industrial activities.
<br />• The diversity of climate, the quality of the ocean water and the avail-
<br />ability of the area are natural resources that may attract research in-
<br />dustries to the district. These resources shall be protected through ap-
<br />propriate regulations.
<br />• Resort development in the district shall be in an orderly fashion and
<br />shall be consistent with the physical and social goals of the people of
<br />the area. The County shall utilize tools such as incremental zoning to
<br />insure development that will. best meet the needs of the County.
<br />NORTH KONA
<br />Profile
<br />Population
<br />1960 1970 % Change
<br />North Kona
<br />4,451 4,832 8.6
<br />Kailua
<br />— 362 —
<br />Other
<br />— 4,467 —
<br />Spurred primarily by the employment opportunities created by the expand-
<br />ing visitor industry, population has increased in North Kona in the last ten years.
<br />Most of the population is located along the major highways of the district.
<br />Kona has traditionally been a coffee producing district and population has
<br />centered around the mauka coffee areas. The coffee situation, however, has
<br />taken a dramatic downturn in total revenue during the last 16 years. The de-
<br />cline of the coffee industry was caused by a drop in coffee price, little market
<br />control, and an inability to mechanize. The recent marketing agreement be-
<br />tween local cooperatives and a mainland firm may help stabilize this industry.
<br />Besides coffee, agricultural enterprises include cattle ranching and the
<br />growing of fruits (bananas and avocados), macadamia nuts, and vegetables,
<br />particularly tomatoes.
<br />Timber and fishing are small industries in Kona. Logging of native hard-
<br />wood at one time provided a major source of income in the district. The lumber-
<br />ing industry is currently confined to a specialty market, mostly carving and
<br />furniture manufacturing. The Kailua harbor is considered a major center for
<br />big game fishing and an international tournament is held every year.
<br />Quarrying operations for building materials are also conducted in North
<br />Kona. Other forms of industrial activity include construction and printing.
<br />Tourism has expanded tremendously in North Kona, primarily in Kailua
<br />Village. Currently there are about 1,800 hotel rooms in the area. Kailua, until
<br />recently, has been frequently utilized as a departure point for tourists leaving
<br />the island. The travel pattern of visitors shows that this area has frequently been
<br />the last leg of their trip. Many visitors use the area as a rest and recuperation
<br />stop before terminating their visits to the islands and length of stay has tradition-
<br />ally been longer in Kailua than in Hilo.
<br />Direct flights to Hilo have, however, altered the common pattern and Kailua
<br />is now the first place visited on the island. Visitors frequently travel to Hilo from
<br />Kona for direct flights back to the mainland.
<br />The ownership pattern of land is characterized by a few owners holding
<br />vast parcels of land. In recent years a number of these owners have announced
<br />plans for large resort -residential complexes in Kona. An example is the Keau-
<br />hou-Kona Company, which is the developer of Bishop Estate lands. Their master
<br />plan calls for the development of a resort -recreational destination area with a
<br />total of 3,200 hotel rooms. This project is just one of several announced for
<br />North Kona.
<br />Several government projects weigh heavily in the future of the economy
<br />of this district. A small boat harbor at Honokohau, under Federal (completed)
<br />and State funding is being constructed just outside of Kailua Village. This
<br />facility will complement the already world famous big game fishing of the area.
<br />Further north along the coast, a new airport has been built. It replaces the air-
<br />port in Kailua which was considered inadequate to service the increasing air
<br />traffic in the area.
<br />The visitor industry is expected to expand at a rapid rate in North Kona.
<br />One major problem faced by this industry is attracting labor and providing
<br />housing for their employees. Investor interest in the area has caused land prices
<br />to soar, especially in coastal areas.
<br />Courses Of Action
<br />• Resort development in the area shall be in balance with the social and
<br />physical goals as well as economic desires of the residents of the dis-
<br />trict. Necessary pollution controls should be available prior to develop-
<br />ment. Other necessary support facilities such as transportation and
<br />nursery facilities shall also be provided.
<br />• The County, in order to achieve greater diversity and stability of the
<br />economy, shall assist in the further development of agriculture in North
<br />Kona. Necessary capital improvements which will aid agriculture, such
<br />as water, should be given priority for funding.
<br />• The County should explore the possibility of encouraging a small resident
<br />college and other new industries in the area.
<br />SOUTH KONA
<br />Profile
<br />Population 1960 1970 % Change
<br />South Kona 4,292 4,004 - 6.7
<br />Captain Cook 1,687 1,263 -25.1
<br />Kealakekua 579 740 27.8
<br />Other 2,026 2,001 - 1.2
<br />South Kona's population has decreased 6.7% in the last decade. The major
<br />trade and population concentrations are along the Mamalahoa Highway at
<br />Kealakekua, Captain Cook, and Honaunau.
<br />The primary economic activity of this district is agriculture, with the most
<br />important industry being coffee growing and processing. Macadamia nut
<br />-,
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