HomeMy WebLinkAboutWhatneedsimprovementTell us what is not working for you and NEEDS IMPROVEMENT about Pahoa Town as it is now and
why? - Open -Ended Response
The buildings in old town need to be maintained. Mostly a good paint job would do the trick.
There need to be less things like junkfood places built in town and more businesses of substance that
produce and can hire.
TRAFFIC Light @ Malama Junction accidents too often; sidewalk downtown for pedestrians
The drug use is evident everywhere, and yound adults lack positive past times.
Not enough Public Restrooms. Busstops New Rubbish & Recycling recepticals. There could be more
effort to keep streets clean & beautification. We NEED a homeless facilaty, and some help with Drugs
ADDlcts.
For a small town with so many retirees, one would expect a town square or plaza where one could
socialize in a park -like setting.
improve sidewalks, clean up store fronts
Better sidewalks are a necessity. Downtown Pahoa is small and should feel more accessible walking,
biking or driving. Pahoa needs more programs for drug abuse prevention. Ice is destroying people
quickly
WISH FOR MORE /BETTER PARKING AREAS, WALKING /BIKE PATHS.
TURN onto Hwy from Malama Markat dangerous
I love Paha plese keep it pahoa -
Fix wooden sidewalk. Make it even -
A more welcoming public meeting place? The community center is a wonderful resource... Perhaps a
designated tent block where you can reliably camp in a safe place without paying a fortune? Cheaper
Natural foods? A PUBLIC GARDEN!!!
roads, park, shopping (more) Roads should be closed to offer more pedestrian ales
sidewalk, intersections, walking areas, bike paths, safety for a town so small. We have really
bad ... traffic flow issues. Please ask the group that owns the property on the corner beside Lupins, to
sell. this is a great peoperty that is only used 2 times a year for the BOA dance. This would be a gret
retail apot. The owners could afford to rent out the hilton with their new money! Develope this Dead
spot.
Yucky street life, drunk and drugged people shouting at each other and cars driving by.
I am worried about the commercial development that seems to be sliding in the back door. I don't
want to see anymore fast food places or big stores. If you watch the turnover of businesses in Pahoa
town that should be a clue to what's real for this community. We could use more development in
resources for kids, after school programs, senior programs. How about more funding for the library?
What about better internet service and cell phone service in our area?
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Security, fix buildings, public parking.
Owners need to maintain busness's. Make it Cleaner Safer and more Charming to help increase
tourism. Has the potential to be a cute town. Buildings look rundown and not cared for.
The malama market and woodland center area definitely needs to be addressed. Traffic in that area
can be quite dangerous.
Shoulde look at closing road in town & turning it into a walking area from Luqins to old propane place.
Have a bypass road around back side through Sal's parking lot. Encourage more restaurants & make
the area a destination point for food & shops.
Works in dysfunctional way.
Vagrants.
The bums seen to have driven out the pretty girls ages 20 -40. It was so sexy here 7 years ago. No one
wants to be confronted with ugly -ugly bums every single day.
traffic flow at certain intersections need improvement. More stoplights
Turn Pahoa into a pedestrian mall. Plant trees. Have sidewalk cafes, an out door stage, street
vendors and performers. Get rid of cars and trucks in Pahoa.
NEED BICYCLE PATHS SEPARATE FROM CAR TRAFFIC. SHOULD BE PEOPLE FRIENDLY NOT CAR
FRIENDLY. NEED SHADE TREES!!
POST OFFICE NEED NEW ROAD OR DIFFERENT LOCAL.
JOBS, TRANSIENTS HANGING OUT IN FRONT OF BANK.
WE NEED MORE GARDENS AND HEALTH (HOLISTIC). STOP GETTING OUR PEOPLE ADDICTED TO PILLS,
GET THE ICE OUT AND STOP PATRONIZING GOD - HE IS THE CREATOR OF MAN & EARTH AND YOU'RE
NOT GOING TO BELIEVE IT: MARY JANE
DRUGS HANGING / HOMELESS / NEED TO BE A MORE CLEAN ENVIRONMENT..
MORE COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT /OPPORTUNITY, MORE LOCAL FUNDING FOR COMMUNITY
GROUPS.
THE ROAD IS TOO CROWDED, INTERSECTION SUCKS!
Library is minimal - needs more books and such. Abandoned houses should be occupied and kept up,
even at a budget loss. If not, turn the lots into community gardens!
I would like to see the sidewalks as be wide and continuous so people can enjoy walking the town
with bike lanes and a nice nature park with trees and birds with a central square to enjoy and walk
and bike, instead of the whole longs complex to be the statement of our precious town,
BATHROOMS!!
Pahoa needs a face lift. We have to make it look prettier and more appealing - murals are great -
more landscaping. Old Pahoa town needs some reconstruction so businesses have a nice space to
utilize. We need more community events to bring town together and bring in income.
the "panhandling" people
More Natural food store options
Unfair in Practice - -rules rules to Keep the trade down and ocupied by Few Free trade in Bizzness - ?
not just the Few Elite!
Scary after dark - -esp Akebono parking lot Don't like the vibe of the bar by PVC speed bumps too high
in Malama parking lot put shoulder on road -sharp edge is terrible P. Office needs wider entrance -
shoulder on road - -too tight for my van to turn -take down the reflectors & put wide shoulder
Two intersections are complete due overs -plus what's with these nasty catchments systems.Taxes
need to go to the water & sewer projects
We need a bigger better laundromat This town needs sidewalks. It's a disgrace that peopled have to
walk in the road to get from one place to another. When it rains, the limited (very, very limited)
shoulder becomes flooded. I've seen people in wheelchairs in the road because of no sidewalks.
Keaau has sidewalks so does Hilo, why not Pahoa?
There is no community park, bathroom or center for children to play. The Community Center is not a
welcome venu. Our town would benefit by creating a beautiful community center with open
community garden, playground, resource center for classes & education. Farmer's market location
not in parking lot.
Street parking
The public School need inprovement. Pahoa Hi School
Not having a stoplight at the entrance from the Highway to the Shopping center.
no sidewalks
Roads and Sidewalks
Too much Business Development not enough Sustainability projects.
Major intersections
Drug selling on streets
Sidewalks are needed. Doubling as bike lanes
unrestrained development and lack of employment opportunities
the traffic and the obvious drug areas The congestion around the banks The filth of some sidewalks
and buildings. (it is not quaint!)
More parking Less money on sanitation govment departments more community access to
Health(mental) Dental
It takes Forever to get anything Done. such as the OLD Fire station is still Being Renovated For the new
senior center,. It was supposed to bBe Done a year or so ago.
Bike lanes, paths, and covered lock up areas are greatly needed
Would be graeat to habitate the unoccupieed buildings.
Traffic
Roads, Parks, Recreation
Less Autoritarian Infringment
Walk ways
more gardening -park to walk and bicycle path
not enough solidity
prking off the main drag & crosswalks(more)
LAX LAW ENFOREMENT OF THE THUGS HANGING AROUND DOWNTOWN (ON THE BANK STEPS), IN
FRONT OF OYHER BUSINESS ESTABLISHMENTS. ONLY1 HEALTH FOOD STORE, NO COMPETITION,
THEREFORE CAN CHARGE HIGHER RATES.
Places like McDonalds encroaching on the quaintness of our town.People don't want to come here to
see that.
Storefronts really need upgrading and more public parking.
Sidewalks and maybe a stop light is needed to prevent accidents.
More sidewalks and /or bikepaths are needed. Traffic patterns could be improved. Roundabouts or at
least another light.
sidewalks for wheelchair strollers and Pedestrian safe "Access also Public bathrooms and
wastebaskeet to much rubish onside of the Road
Refusing district6- now5 a say in RTC they did not want. Gave Keauu to Hilo is bad
Doctors? RETIREMENT Living Quality of Medical Facilities.
Sidewalks /Bike path
Needs more things for the children and teens to do.
Things seems to be working out fine, We just need to accept the changes but if you dont like it you
need to vote against it before its accepted.
We need proper zoning so the business can Thrive.
Roadways
Need H2S monitor for public use to test for vog poisoning and PGV leaks. Need ccoqui- eradication
program like tape recorded loops of super coqui( ask Tom at the citric acid program). Need
certification outlet so growers don't have to go to USDA in Hilo. Need test for tropical diseases. Need
to post the incidence of diseases(all)
Safety in old pahoa town, roads, parking No more fast food! more healthy shops! stuff for kids!
The roads need improving. All ready in progress
The young generation is very disrespectful.
Sidewalks and more shit to do.
Island Natural is not a good health food store. It would be better to have a better farmers market in
town. There are too many bars and the people are too rowdy with all the drinking it's not safe and
too noisy.
No jobs.
More landscaping around commercial buildings
parking, road access and within. the fact that Pahoa is so congested with terrible traffic flows
really need light near Longs /Ma lamalghit needs to control traffic coming in and turning across traffic
into main road. I have to go in the beck entrance to Pahoa to go to the dump from Kahakai Blvd
because front entrance through that intersection is a problemYrn not alone, think how much trffic
thru Pahoa could be alleverted by better controling the Longs intersection for safety and traffic flow
not seeing more po9sitive action on purchase of lands accross from Long's to creat roundabouts.
Road in & out at Malama market place is a true dangerous disaster. Not enough easy sidewalk all thru
old town; No Performing Arts center with excellent acoustics.
It all works - but it all needs improving.
The threat of corporate growth. We did not need BK or KFC. Must stop McDonalds.
Could use more old Town parking - The post office parking more difficult
Need a noise ordinace for loud trucks & motorcycles
More public transportation
Land locked property
Discourage loiterers Clean up our act to attract $ +jobs
need more access to food /supplies at FAIR prices. Would prefer to shop here rather than Hilo, but the
variety and high prices make the trips to Hilo worthwhile; I would like to support the local merchants -
just can't justify the costs at Malama, etc.
It is atrociousthat students in the 96778 area code to not have adequeate access to internet,
especially outside of Pahoa proper. This puts all students at a distinct disadvantage.
bicycle paths shop fronts drugs too obviouse
Sidewalks and gutters, better drainage & more opportunity for parking
Post office need a in & out dirveway
services, infrastructure, economic opportunity
All the big chains near shopping plaza RUIN the small - town aesthetics. Too many smelly pseudo -
hippie bums on EBT cards. - Mostly white young people who care only about themselves.
it's all good for me
Schools Walking paths more open space
to crowed - more roads in & out
Youth gangs and street fights. Lack of sidewalks and restrooms. Higher- than -Hilo retail prices. Seems
a little too dirty. DO NOT LIKE the appearance or placement of Longs, Kentucky Fried Chicken and
Burger King. Pahoa needs to keep all commercial development away from the sides of Highway 130,
and direct it to the town center.
More public restrooms, more garbage cans a concerted effort to keep garbage picked up and off
street and sidewalks - develop small pocket parks along village road
Bike lanes & pedestrian walkways
A litle more parking would be nice but not at the expense of the quaint atmosphere
It would be great if the town had an enclosed dog park and a public rest room
More activities for small children and teens Indoor & outdoor activities
(CA: 1st sentence is illegible) Politcal leadership Bring back Emily!
No parks CENTRALLY located too many derelicts no medical center no jobs
We need the community police presence back full time! It is a shaame that community policing is
funded but because of shortages they are pulled to do regular duty. We need a safe, large community
Playground like Kamuela. This is a large district with a large population, yet we have no good size safe
playground for families to spent time with young children. We need designated bike path and a place
where people can safely walk for excercise. Social services need to come to the people not the other
way around. We need a hospital/ Emergency room, to far to Hilo Hospital. Emergency Routes!
whenever there is an accident on a major road, everything comes to a stand still.
More activities for our kids and transportation. If the kids had activities they wouldn't be inclined to
sell drugs and get into trouble. More job opportunities for those who live around here can improve
their lives.
need more parking off of the main street & safe bike & waling paths in the town. Would be great to
have a NO CAR Zone in the center of town & more trees & flowers & gardens planted. Street people
need more services! No more fast food, etcl, this degrades everything.
More pedestrian friendly & centralized parking so I can walk from Cash & Carry to Post Office if need
be.
We need more traffic lights by the Longs and Malama Market intersection. That is a dangerous area
and it needs to be addressed.
NO MORE BIG CHAINS, Local businesses and codes that encourage local business and discourage
mainland /corporate businesses. More police in Pahoa town on foot. Public bathrooms open 24 -7.
Greenways, uniform guidelines on what kind of building /businesses can be brought here, what they
look like, what they need to behave like.
Highway interchanges need work!
Newly built commercial center at North end of town is out of character with historic /rural qualities.
Those horrible structures need to be softened and masked.
NO VISIT ENOUGH TO COMMENT
#NAME?
Clean up empty structures upgrade "face" of main st
Needs to be cleaner, buildings painted, less people hanging out on the streets doing drugs
Too many beer joints & Drinking booze brings trouble!
open more public services open 50 acres for park
Biking paths
options of more restaurants and avoiding developing the land w /stores like Longs; fast food. Focusing
more on sense of community and supporting fellow community members diminishing the sense of
attitude /what be people /youth lingering outside of stores /banks GXS ( ?)
Still too many druggies and slimey people loitering on the streets. Narrow roads, limited parking.
Sidewalks on the makai side of the main street are unuseable.
Roads are way to narrow and getting in and out of parking lots or establishments are trying. If there
was any way of making a loop or a backdoor exit, that my help. As if stands, there are no backroads to
access. It seems there's only one road in and one road out. Post Office road is only one spoke to half a
circle. Where's the other half of the circle? Could there be more inter - connectivity?
People loitering on the streets & /or selling and using drugs. The rumor that we'll be getting a
McDonald's across the street from the Post Office. We already have Subway, Burger King, KFC, L &L's,
and 7 -11. We don't need one more unhealthy food sources to increase high blood pressure, obesity,
cancer, etc.
Well better sidewalks; our students walk home from school through town and people drive like
maniacs half the time. There are no real proper sidewalks.the little ones we do have are not very safe
and poorly made. Glad my children dont have to walk through town to get home., possible bike lanes
would be nice and much safer for our residentail bike riders: this would also promote potentailly
more active outside activities for our families too, besides the positive enviromental message it send
to our community. Speed bumps put in front of the school zone area. Why? so many people drive so
fast through this zone, the crooning gaurd for elm . school has almost been hit multiple times and
several of our parents and their children, people do not pay enough attention when driving through
this straight away area and to the damage and hurt it could cause other and their famlies. I hope it
doesnt take our community losing one of its valuable members to get this sort of thing taken care of
and recognized. Preventative cautions on this one.
More safety for the keiki! walkways /sidewalks. Maybe more community people to watch out for them
from the crazies and drug dealers!
There needs to be more city and state services available within the village. It will create other
businesses that will focus on community needs.
The roads need to be completed all the way through and made wider so there is more room to park
on the side for those visiting stores and shops.Also the side walk area is awful. At one point in the side
walk you are walking on the road.
Employment
Get the bums off the street. Create more jobs in the area. Create a zone for light industrial.
Support for new businesses is very difficult. The cleanliness is also a concern of mine. Also, our
community center is not a very welcoming area as I find it dingy and scary.
I have lived here for 25 years and am dismayed over lack of foresight in planning that has gone on.
The bypass was helpful but didn't address traffic through town which is now problematic. Off street
parking downtown might help along with a larger, easier to access post office facility that most of of
us have to use at some time or other. Maku'u Market is so huge, parking is problematic for those of
us who are older or have mobility problems. Preserving green space.
no public restrooms need more
The intersection of 130 and Pahoa Rd, in close juxstaposition to the Malma shopping center is
dangerous. The divisive, islands within the island cultural climate isn't really an aloha advertisement.
Some of the local layabouts seem to have a vested interest giving stink eye and trying to intimidate
people, which gets really old. This isn't a tourism encouragement for sure.
Lack of Point of Purchase Recycling. Recycling bins outside of businesses. Paper recycling at the Post
Office. After school programs for kids, given their need to take bus home. Fast food "restaurants ".
Primary care providers of state of the art, evidence based medicine (pediatrics, mid - wifery, geriatrics,
psychiatry) and dentistry. Hilo - Pahoa transportation (including airport) - especially for
elderly /disabled.
Hate the new Woodland shopping center and chain establishments. Let's put a cap on those. NO
CHAINS IN OLD PAHOATOWN!
There are large stretches of road (between downtown and Pahoa Village) where there is no sidewalk
and I didn't feel safe walking between the two. Something different needs to be done with the
intersection of Hwy 130 and Pahoa Village Road. I've seen too many close calls there.
intersection of 130 and PV rd, the egress from Malama Market Place to PV rd, and the entrance to
Longs are really really bad. Need more public restrooms. sidewalks need improvement. would be
nice if the town got something like a community development block grant and all the stores got
facelifts. very run down looking.
Getting around on foot is treacherous. the 7 -11 is an eyesore. it would be nice to have even more
restaurants and specialty shops. I would love it if someone would open a sustainable technologies
store, complete with solar, wind, hydro and all the tools and equipment needed or such things. And
an organic gardening store.
Lack of paved sidewals where there are no wooden sidewalks,no covered bus shelter cntr of town,not
enough busses midday,no placefor bus to pull off entrance Hwn Bchs /Shores,not enough
express,wknd,& holiday bus svc. Lack of trashcans,phone booths,public toilets
I feel nervous when I walk around Pahoa, especially when I smell marijuana. I don't necessarily see
this as a problem, if this is the way Pahoa wants to be viewed, but it limits the types of commerce and
stores that cause many other funky, successful boutique towns to thrive. It just depends on what you
want.
I do not like the derelics/ druggies ever present around town. Even though my friends and I call them
out psycodelic residents, I think they put the tourists off which impacts negatively on the merchants.
I am concerned about the influx of large "brands" and corporations that will diminish the health of our
population. Burger King, KFC and McDonalds are poor additions to our town. I would love to see
business that will take their profits and reinvest them into the community, vs syphon them off to
investors on wall street.
A few more choices in food would be good. Entertainment for kids would be helpful too
better parking and safety
Transportation infrastructure including intersections coming in to Pahoa, Pahoa town roads and how
pedestrian unfriendly Pahoa is. Parking is also an issue.
We need parks, things for kids and families to do. Our Island is a family /country /rural place and we
need healthy things to do. We need parks, camping places, bike and walking trails.
improved safety and security
Pahoa Town needs better Medical Services, especially a Dialysis Center & Emergency Medical Center
no sidewalk from Post office towards the banks.some very ratty looking houses that look as if they
were falling apart.the side road from the post office towards the highway.) realize it would be hard to
widen it since there are houses It would be nice to have places where you can eat outside...
NOTHING
Fix the gd highway to make sense. Exit to highway 130 at malama and Kahakai.
(MG 5/10 NCA) Better Roads from Pahoa to Hilo lights
(MG 5/10 NCA) better medical, improved schools (Teachers) more more competitive stores.
Grocery,lumber.etc Too much Police presence
(MG 5/10 NCA) Utilities, recreation facilities, Parks need imlprovement
(MG 5/10 NCA) How many more people need to be injured in the countless accidents happening at
the entrance leading to shopping center. We need our County leaders to put pressure on the
State to move this yup on the list or whatever it takes to deal with this isssue now!
More public facilities, ie parks and places for gatherings.
Public Water /Sewer Services Improvement Plan. Private systems are inefficient and not cost - effective
This is the 21st centry tear it down and build new.
Every town needs improvement as we strive to make life enjoyable. My contention is that the Pahoa
Museum is not a true reflection of Pahoa's history. Many of the photos, artifacts, displays are not
original to or of Pahoa town.
Needs to get Pedestrian friendly.
To far from heart machine
Too many derelicts.
Roads and traffic pattern needs help. Parking for roadside business is very limited.
Could need more painting and beautifying of the old buildings, more commercial rental spaces at
affordable prices, more sidewalk space and bike paths, better bus to and from Pahoa, better Parking
for all of Pahoa (especially by the restaurants), more support for small local businesses instead of big
commercial supermarkets and fast food
Cleaned up the Town up! NEEDS Conveniences: Safeway, Starbucks, Veterinarian, more stores,
maybe movie theater
Lots of homeless, streets & buildings look dirty & unsafe. Make it feel safe to walk around. More:
Stores, Tourist Activities, Fun activities, Movie Theater, another grocery store, Vet, more restaurants
Cleaned up & preserve the old look. Too many homeless or sketchy looking people, so many that I do
not even want to walk around there. More Conviences: Safeway, starbucks, Veternarian, Another
Auto parts store & hardware store to keep prices competitive, Movie Thearter, etc
pahoa needs more side walks,bicycle roads,parks with edible landscapes and recreation places...
Need more activities relevant to young adults. Maybe a little painting and housekeeping?
see comments
It is the economy. Re elect Obama.
Too much of a trend toward development. I see the quaint little town losing its uniqueness for the
sake of convenience. Pahoa used to be different. It is now trending toward looking and feeling like a
thousand other little towns. Longs /CVS is everywhere, but Puna Pharmacy is only here. Lets look out
for the mom and pop places that help to care for the local residents; not the large corporations that
move profits out of the community. Rents need to be at a level that will support local business.
Roads.
Pedestrian sidewalks and bike access are poor or nonexistent, parking access is poor. aThe town
needs planning so that the historic downtown is preserved while commercial outlets not related to
the historic ambience or charm of the town are zoned further out.
I am elderly and disabled. I would go to Pahoa more, visit more shops, if there was more disabled
parking and it was easier to walk around town. Accommodating the elderly and the infirm!!!
Need to to keep all areas clean & devoid of the rif raf who make the palce unsafe. can ther be a
Community watch to help ? ?! ?!
ROAD SAFETY!!!!! road intersection engineering is terrible. Needs stoplights. Fast food sprawl, no
bike paths or sidewalks. No bus stop shelters.
There should be more roads to go to Pahoa, especially if there is an accident and there is no side
street to reach your destination. Traffic is very heavy all the time.
More hawaiians to get involved. A football team at Pahoa High. Our pop warner teams have to go
somewhere else for high school to play so we lose valuable people. Pride begins at home. Have a
tougher stance on drog abuse. Pahoa is the DRUG CAPITAL of the BIG iSLAND. ZERO TOLERANCE. H
The Post Office, too small and the parking is terrible. If you have a big vehicle it is hard to find parking
especially when it is very busy. Too far to walk with parcels from the parking alot to mailing your
parcel. The post office should be like the airport location, easy access to get in and out.
punks looking for trouble. new, out of architectural character development
The highway intersections suck. The post office traffic flow is bad. Why are there so many homeless
types just hanging out?
some scary people around begging and needy. heir needs should be met and guided into appropriate
services......
the color of pahoa because it looks bland
community- centered activities parent involvement in school
more food.
the roads in pahoa town need to be worked on faster.
Nothing needs improvement.
jobs.
Some traffic lights so that traffic problems are gone.
The medical facilitis need a huge improvement in service, technology, and space.
The afterschool activities.
It could use sidewalks... Down in hawaiian beaches and ocean shores could use more side walks /paths
to the beach. The beach area could be developed into a nice park with bathrooms.
Too much pro -dope
The horribly built roads, little more than just paving over older, historic trails. Design and construction
needs to take into account the heavy downpours of rain, the lack of safe places for people to walk,
ride bicycles, or drive. The lack of and poor design of what parking is available hurts the economic
growth of the town as well as threatens the public's safety and increases county liability.
Loitering, drug dealing scum should be off the streets and the mentally ill should get services.
Less fast food places, HFS credit union would be good to have.
crature comforts like public transportation, internet & cell phone availabilty in lower areas could be
strongly improved Newl small businesses should be encouraged, new jobs can be created in the area
Parking & pedestrian traffic. We need to be looking ahead about 20 years or more
Road traffic control needs immediate improvement maybe tournabout at Kahakai Blvd & lights at
Malama
More shops /services We need to make Pahoa a tourist destination We need to stress its history
many people are unaware that Pahoa was a lumber town WE should have a Lumber Days Festival
The people of the town need to demand to be informed by state and county when forces or
organizations outside of our communtiy make decisions about what is going to happen without
educating and allowing the communty to have a say, ie, Geothermal and its Impacts.
More roads, Need a place for dogs to run free
Not sure yet except for need for clearer. direction @ intersections cited in #'s 5 & 18 Would love
movie nights @ the Akebono.
Walking ways and a nice park to picnic
parking - not much parking like to have more gatehring spots beautify - beautify - beautify ! ! ! more
for young folks to do.
Fix the interchange by longs, it is dangerous
Too many people complain they want, want, and want but when they get they complain the now
don't want, don't want,a nd don't want. The people here have no idea what they want so stop
wasting time and money on stupidity!
To many drunksM
Intersections are deadly. Worst in the state. Needs to be redone
I live in Hawaiian Beaches. There are no bus routes that allow me to run errands in the town of Pahoa
and then come back.
I do not want Chain Stores coming in!
Burger King and KFC need tearing down
the horribly dangerous intersections a. Malam Market Hawaiian Beaches HAAS school also, hard to
walk safely and town could be much more beautiful
cleanliness
cops ( ?), sidewalks, parking
More services... it is a long drive into Hilo. More availability of medical services, shopping,
entertainment ... we need more variety and clean up the area of vagrants.
to me, i think pahoa is so ugly an needs to be better looking. but i cant complain because everything
forms its own shapes an pahoa formed its own look. or did man?
The safety and cleanliness of the town. Drivers go too fast through town, maybe we could consider
speed bumps.
i think what needs improvement is the stores. because they are so far away
what is not working for me is having cars parked on the side of the road because there cars could get
side swiped by other cars driving by
The health it could be a little better and they should open up a place for like the homeless so theres
less of them on the street.
how dirty and un -safe pahoa town is.
Whats not working is how Malamamas intersection doesn't have a traffic light because we need that
for sure thats where 2 fatal accidents happened .
More space, its just it seems like the towns so squished up, people have to stack there cars on the side
of a store /building.
i think we should make pahoa seem more alive because the buildings are so old looking and gross
We always have to drive out to either Kea'au or Hilo to go shopping for our needs..gas prices raise and
still are
They need to improve the road goin in and out of malama. Road is too skinny and confusing and
interferes the other lane.
A Walmart.
make more space, make it bigger more room
There should be more recreational activities out this way because i travel all the way to hilo for sports
and other extra - curricular things.
we need a walmart in pahoa town and mcdoalds so we dont always have to drive to hilo.
i dont like the burger king and kfc because i think that a mcdonalds instead of those two would have
been way better.
pahoa NEEDS to make the intersection by malama market more safe. too many collisions
N/A
Improved storefronts would make it more inviting. Restoring old buildings to its former glory will help
to give the town a better reputation. There's a need to clean up the area so visitors will not be afraid
to tour and shop.
There is only one store for food shopping and it's prices are expensive. Please have KTA here in Pahoa
for our convenience. Put a stop light in Malama area to avoid accidents.
I do not like all the criminals hanging around all the time. I think there is an alcohol and drug problem
in the town. I think there are problems parking. I think there are problems with safety. I think there
are traffic problems and we are in need of stop lights at the intersections.
The roads and infrastructure.
Too much filthiness, drugs and shabbiness in general. Need more police presence, especially in front
of Cash and Carry. Homes are not safe. It seems that I'm hearing about a house being robbed every
other week. We were almost robbed last month. People shouldn't be allowed in stores and public
places such as banks and restaurants without a shirt or shoes. Come on, we live in 21st century now!
traffic, sidewalks, bike lanes, parking, safety overall as far as robberies and assaults. Subdivisions need
lighting, paved roads, police presence, county water, electricity and other services such as cable are
available to everyone who lives in Puna. The entire community needs MORE for the young people so
they are not committing crimes. MORE Drug and alcohol support for the youth who are stuck in
families who are all unavailable to support the kids as they are on drugs or are substance abusers of
some sort.Mor e support from the community in the schools for support with mentorship to college
bound students.
minimal pubic transportation routes high housing and transportation costs
More or better public transportation, better infrastructure such as side -walks and parks. More
parking!
Drug deals that go on in the town, people loitering in front of the stores.
no sidewalks
The Law
very poor services - -lack thereof
town needs senior center with activities
Pauls 76 Gass Station. Parking lot exit Kalapana side needs paved, old town road is too narrow
between the old buildings. The older buildings need to be correct from an askewed look.
Unfortunately, it needs a stoplight at the entrance to town from Hilo. Too many accidents. Also there
needs to be a more open park area, perhaps with camping option.
Parking, run -down structures, hanging overhead power lines. I appreciate small affordable business
space but have to wonder about sanitation and structural issues in some of the buildings.
Honestly, I can't think of anything that is not working for me or feels it really needs improvement.
Please -- no malls!! Drives give people space to walk and bike. There's a public restroom, farmer's
market, grocery choices, fire and police stations, post office, 2 Thai food restaurants, some thrift
shops, gift stores, a spa, a fresh fish market, Paradise if you need to do something business - related,
etc ... I think we have everything we need. Oh -- I think if we had a vet, that would be great, and if there
were another dentist in line to take over when Dr. Layman finally retires, I'd like that too.
the roads going into the shopping centers from the highway are HORRID. Its unsafe to drive by pahoa.
Parking and traffic control..... more night patrol to increase safety and comfort while parking anywhere
in Pahoa. Too much government involvement getting involved, making it more difficult for the small
independent to get started and continue.
Improved walking and bike riding lanes; no more fast food chains; would be nice to have more town
festivals; we should be encouraging sustainable agriculture, permaculture, aquaculture. Good to
encourage more local music venues and opportunities.
Intersection at Malama Market end. clean up drug dealers & vagrants on street. Build a park.
unsavory people just hanging around, it has improved but still NOT somewhere I want to walk and I
was raised here...... somewhere for healthy teen activities
There needs to be some public restrooms and there needs to be a sewer system in place. There needs
to be public safety officers walking around at night, helping homeless and protecting youth /assisting
them to go home. There needs to be sidewalks and bike paths. These are signs of a friendly, healthy
community. There needs to be more people and youth working, visibly - -a work center? There needs
to be a larger public library and one that the high school can use during the day, with librarians. There
needs to be a satellite of Hawaii Community College built.
The Hawaii Academy of Arts & Science needs a crosswalk & crossing guard for students to cross the
highway.
The intersection at Malama/ Longs is very poor. As an ex highway engineer I have suggestions for
improvements. Who do i send them to?
Needs good well lit side walks and bike paths, public restrooms (more and clean), better sanitation
and better park facilities, better landscaping and guidelines for new businesses so they are
aesthetically pleasing.
please no more KFC or other big chain fast food places. let's support local
access for this in poverty, under served elderly, transportation. the boardwalk is a mess, clean it up,
keep it funky and interesting.
Public safety, sidewalks, parking
Do not like the chain restaurants and stores and the tight little streets around these developing areas.
Again, the parking for shopping is an issue. Far more urgent, is the need to get the idea of Pahoa
being a drug dealers paradise out of people's attitude.
I'm not very happy about the franchises on the north end. one franchise will put several independent
business under potentialy causing a LOSS of employment.
More buses to outer subdivisions would help have more traveling options in the day.
COUNTY NEEDS TO STOP INTERFERING WITH DEVELOPMENT
WE need more public restrooms, sidewalks, places for people to gather comfortably with shelter from
the sun and rain. Right now people hang out in the parking lot of the community center. We have a
large population and we need convenient services for them that are affordable - rather than so
expensive we can visit but not purchase - such as Malama Market which is really overpriced. We need
more police. WE need more /better parking - right now it is mostly Luquins and that is full of pot
holes, no parking spots marked so people park any which way and don't fully utilize the space
efficiently.
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Parking is a major issue
There are insufficient bike paths or pedestrian walkways. The road is pretty narow, so maybe it
should be one -way?
Failed alliance with utility companies; we should be focused on INDEPENDENT solar + wind systems;
geothermal is a hazardous mess. People should not have to fight to live off grid and build housing that
serves them, -- not government entities.
Cultural center needs to be started and expanded with what made Pahoa and Puna what they were.
The Identity of Pahoa town needs to be preserved with an integrated plan for expansion of the future
Pahoa.
The lack of obvious open space and public art. The public pool I hear is great but it is tucked away. To
the casual observer, Pahoa does not have a park and the only public art is a mural on one bldg. I love
Pahoa, but it feels like a place I want to got to, do my business and then go home, because there is not
a reason to hang. Other than having dinner. If I could be inspired to walk around the town and view
bldg paintings, sculptures in lush jungle garden sittings ...... I would love to set and read a book, or do
some sketching, play chess, talk story.
POST OFFICE; WASHBOARDED ASPHALT ROADS; FLOODED AREAS; ELECTRIC CAR CHARGERS;
DEADBEATS; DREADS; BODY ODOR; LOITERING; DRUGS.
No more strip malls and chain stores (Burger King, KFC, Subway, Longs, 7- 11etc.) More solar power
and catchment incentives - keep the area self- sufficient and resource conservative.
We need bike and walking lanes; we need PARKING!! Some of the buildings are very tired looking
and in need of repair but the owners don't have the money. Many of the buildings are historic and
worthy of being preserved. Create some way for the County to give low interest refurbishing loans to
revitalize the area and make it a MUST go place for tourists and residents alike.
So run down! It's sad right now. Some businesses seem to lack resources to create a pleasing space
to attract tourists and locals alike. Downtown Pahoa is dingy looking
off road walkway bikeway for exercise in Nature /Park environment movies art & craft center senior
center
Criminality Substandard buildings in later part of town
Everything needs a bit of a face lift. A sort of "PRIDE" lift.
Better medical and production employment options.
1) Post office entrance, exit parking - terrible - why can't the traffic flow be like the airport post office
bldg or downtown bldg? 2) Parking for our banks, restaurants, are in dire need for improvement. 3)
Refacing some of the old shops & restaurants will draw more tourists & traffic more revenue. 4)
Homeless people hanging around structures, not pleasant to the eye. 5) add KTA or Cost U Less,
target, shoe repair
Pahoa needs a town center, a gathering place parking, public rest rooms less criticism and more
constructive ideas from community members
the terrible intersection by malama market is crowded and a safety hazard! no side walks and little to
know designated bus stops.
State must improve intersection at Hwy 130/ Pahoa Village Rd near Longs NOW. Why have our
representatives at State (Hanohano and Kahele) not made this their # 1 priority ? ? ? ?? Need more
jobs. Old Village buildings need to be cleaned up and repaired.
The roads and intersections really are terrible. That is a HUGE drawback. More people would ride
bicycles and walk if it were safer.
The lack of traffic control on highway access. Need stop lights.
Need safe places to walk, to park, and for bicycles because there is not even enough room for cars to
drive right now, let alone for anyone to share the road
PARKING IS A MAJOR PROBLEM AND WE NEED MORE INDIVIDUALIZED BUSINESSES. THE OLD
FALLING DOWN BUILDINGS NEED TO BE REMOVED.
Too much commercial signage (ordinance violations) - more meeting space
PARKING & TRAFFIC especially the P.O.
We own & operate Boogie Woogie Pizza & Property owner for 23 yrs We were told to put in a ceptic
or close down. They said all new businesses will not have a leway then will have to have it in place
from day (1). The business next to us opened a coffee shop w /out a ceptic or cesspool for one 1 year
& the building is Falling apart very literally - because they were allowed to operate the next building
over owned by Don Robinson has opened a pizza shop & a number of other living quarters & rest.
w /no ceptic. They had a bakery there before the pizza shop & I believe they opened without proper
food service papers. How can we be on an even playing field if we are forced to do things our
competitors are not forced to do? We feel discriminated against.
Need place where kids & people can fjust hang out & have fun, play music, etc. Park areas- where do
you fly planes? Kites? Where do we Run? Jog?
Clean up, discourage drunks
I would like to see Police walking the streets on a regular basis to create more safety for female
pedestrians
We need more community police presence. It was getting better and now is worse again -- bring back
the bike patrols & get the cameras working SOON!
PARKING, roads, sidewalks, business zoning, light industry zoning
Security (cameras that can be seen online). Bus service that runs on time.
More public transportation
The old feel the construction and boardwalks, falling apart needs refacing
Lack of sidewalks, drug dealers, no significant work.
Lack of police; poor sidewalks and ped crossings; shabby look of downtown; lack of parking.
Road planning at new development end of town is terrible. Hate that charm of Hawaiian town is
being ruined by big chain stores from mainland (KFC, Burger King).
Car congestion is worse and will keep getting that way unless we change how we deal with cars in
town. Owner of parking lot behind Luquin's needs to be replaced by someone who has more of a
community service focus. Lack of safe pedestrian spaces on main road through town. A few areas are
OK, but then you're on the road with no shoulder or broken -up shoulder or ditch right there; some
places ankle -deep in water when it's raining hard Need some real bus stop locations.
Roads are the most needed item
Some people I talk to are "deathly" afraid of going to Pahoa town at night for fear of being robbed or
worse. True or false, there is that stigma about Pahoa town, especially at night. Sure, the risk is always
there at any town at night but it seems to be emphasized to a much greater degree for Pahoa.
Whether it's deserved or not the stigma has to be lifted before more residents and visitors would
want to frequent Pahoa at night.
There are too many loiterers; It can be unnerving to walk past some of the shady characters that hand
around. Pahoa needs to look cleaner, brighter; it basically needs better maintenance.
The Post Office parking situation is atrocious. I hate Christmas because I have to fight for my life just
to pick up my mail!
I am satisfied now.
All the bumbs and hippies hanging out n front of cash and carry, the health food store and cash and
carry detract other people from spending time and money here
Doesn't feel as safe and clean as it could be.
predestrian walkway easily navigated with a walked or wheelchair. (Could increase business from
older /disabled tourists and locals) Wheel chair ramps at appropriate intervals.
One of the things that need improvement in Pahoa is stop lights at the main intersections that come
onto and off of the bypass. It is a death trap or what most might call a meat grinder. Another thing
that needs to be put into policy is the scrutiny of development. If the development that is occurring in
Pahoa is for the health and well -being of the people and culturally sensitive to the Hawaiian people, it
might be considered more lightly. As it stands right now, the people that have the most money make
all the decisions. This is not Pono.
The by -pass going into malama market is a very dangerous place when there is traffic and to many
accidents have happened there.
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The road in pahoa town is super narrow. pedestrians have kids and always have to worry about being
to close to the road. it would be very nice to have better sidewalks and maybe a wider road.
Pahoa is the hub town for Puna, which is a rural and agricultural district, so Pahoa needs more
markets and goods and services that interface with agricultural purposes, which will enhance the
economy of both. New marketing efforts are a good start. Pahoa restaurants could offer MUCH more
locally produced food, and showcase it. Paper and food waste from Pahoa restaurants could be cycled
back for compost > fertilizer for the farms supplying the restaurants. Repair shop for repair at least of
gardening and field hand tools would be valuable. On transportation and travel around Pahoa, it
would be good to have fewer cars right on the main street; two ways to do that - -1) build up to a
culture where people like using a local shuttle around the town, and 2) develop good bike- and walk-
ways along parallel routes (and put bike stands in convenient places) so that locals and visitors alike
can safely and conveniently use active transportation around Pahoa.
if a walking /biking path was possible it would be nice I don't have enough real data to know what
public /human services needs there are I understand the public school may really need some support -
resources people need more education about stress as it affects everything and all of our abilities to
optimize unity within ourselves and with each other
Sidewalks, postal services upgraded, updated - covered area
all the new people coming here and changing it to be like where they came from why do they come
here? if they want strip malls and not to drive to Hilo why come ruin it for us?
PLEASE NO MORE FAST FOOD OR CHAINS!
1) Racing Cars thru old town speeding ... more likely to get a seat belt ticket than a speeding ticket.
The horrid congestion of traffic to get to the town of Pahoa ... and to leave it.
sprinkers required in all wood buildings, hazzardous intersection at Malama
Get the druggies and pan handling off the streets. Parking at the post office is terribel and dangerous.
We need side walks, bike paths, park pavilions, playgrounds and recreational facilities. We also need
more variety of products and services.
strip mall feel to Long's & Malama Market area
NO SIDEWALKS HORRIBLE -NO TOWN CENTER THAT FOSTERS COMMUNITY. IF PAHOA BECAME A
PEDESTRIAN MALL IN OLD TOWN W/ PARKING AT EITHER OR BOTH ENDS
I think that we need better walkways. I would eliminate street parking in front of La Quins and the
other shops there. It makes for limit sight of businesses and walkers. I think that there should be a
Hele -on bus route for Pahoa town which links to each subdivision. The Pahoa routes should connect
to the Hele -on bus routes to Hilo. Safe intersections at Old Pahoa Road, Kahakai Blvd.
No Sidewalks. Limited parking. Police presence; the street often feels dangerous with the potential
for random acts of violence.. Many vagrants; need a shelter; need activities...
We still have the homeless and the drug dealers etc.
Drug dealers on streets
Vagrancy, Violence, no wastewater treatment, Expensive Commercial rents, NO Parking, not
pedestrian, child freindly
Parking is need for larger vehicles
Noisy fast traffic, too many people just hanging out, feels unsafe sometimes. the boardwalk needs
fixing. The post office parking is crazy, people back out without looking. Needs sidwalks and bike paths
as the pedestrians are forced to walk in the narrow streets.
refer to #6 re: safe parking to promote car pooling and to make Pahoa a comfortable place for people
in and around the area to meet. - this includes clean public bathroom facilities for all.
Hilo's biased stranglehold on the county's building permit and inspection process has choked efforts
to develop businesses in Pahoa. Honest businessmen who have tried to develop their commercial -
zoned land have experienced outrageous treatment from the planning department and inspectors.
Requirements are demanded "to satisfy code" in Pahoa which are not required elsewhere, driving up
the price of construction to the point that it is not cost effective to proceed. Pahoa is not the problem;
the problem stems from some combination of political bias, nepotism, and perhaps racial prejudice in
Hilo.
Need room for pedestrians. Too many old buildings being demolished. Dislike the new strip mall and
fast food joints.
walkways, bikepaths,
what doesn't work for me is the Fast Food restaurants... unhealthy food =an unhealthy community. or
the 2 pizza places right next to each other. what doesn't work for me is the thuggy vibe and blatant
drug and alcohol use. what needs improvement are the parking lots (next to Paul's, at LeQuins, etc).
we need a bigger nice clean inexpensive efficient laundromat.
Pahoa needs to provide an alternative to going to Hilo. We need major services, helco, DHS, HUD,
employment offices in Pahoa so residents of Puna don't need to commute. More employment
oppurtunities, a movie theater, hospital, all for the reasons we drive to Hilo could be available in
Pahoa. With gas prices increasing it makes sense and relieves highway congestion. I plan to retire in
Puna and I want to see Pahoa keep developing to meet the needs of the residents.
I don't like the establishments that foster an environment of drunkenness and poverty. Cash & Carry,
7 Eleven, etc.
Signage of pedestrian crossing STOP
Appearance. Restore!
As I mentioned in the notes to the above questions, the traffic ingress and egress needs to be
improved, and I think Pahoa Town would benefit from a community garden and covered walkway.
better for bicycling!
We still need an affordable place to shop for food. Malama market is over priced and crowded. Traffic
in and out is heavy and poorly controlled. Traffic safety is very bad particularly at entrances and exits
to Highway 130. We have to wait too long to get overdue improvements.
Old town needs sidewalks. New town intersection needs needs a signal for traffic. There should not
even be a entrance there it should be south of that spot.
No more fast food chain restaurants. They are not only bad for the health of the people but the
character of the town. Any development should fit into the character of the town not like the Longs
and fast food restaurants. That development is a very ugly introduction to the town. The
intersections by Kahakai and 130 are the most insane I have ever seen and are very dangerous.
Something needs to be done about it. I know we have the urgent care center, but it may be good to
have a small 24/7 hospital for critical needs for the Puna area, or make the urgent care center into
more of something like that. It is odd that there is no vet in Pahoa, lots of farm animals and pets
around.
Lack of businesses, too much government
Corporate development needs to stop!
public transportation is needed more.
I think the worst thing is the walking /driving conditions through town. I cringe when I see pedestrians
having to walk in the street on narrow difficult areas. We can to better to get some sidewalks and bike
paths, and get the on- street parking moved off to widen the driving areas and protect pedestrians
from cars.
more police needed to eliminate public drunkiness and fighting. especially in the area around boogie
woogie pizza
INFRASTRUCTURE, ie sidewalks, parking, parking lots, unused spaces, often neglected and are so
needed. Absent owners? How can absent owners be enlisted to improve their holdings? When
people work together on a project, it builds community. Need volunteers? How can volunteers be
recruited?
nothing
Safer way to walk the town - sidewalks would be nice. Police walking the town may help reduce petty
crime. Vehicle access to the Post Office could use a little improving.
Traffic pattern could not have been designed worse. The Malama Mkt area is horrendous. If a
development is further allowed, forget turning left onto Highway 130 keaau bound.
Terrible parking.
Crime, zoning, traffic, sidewalks, transportation. There should be signal in front of HAAS and a way for
students to get over the highway.
The intersection at Kahakai. Needs a light. Please, no more fast food. We need to support local, tourist
friendly, exoctic fruit stands, healthy sammies, with other local wares and creations. Not more greasy,
fast food. We need to sponsor more community walks. Community gardening. Community
improvement projects. Community pot luck, small, music festivals that block the road going thru
town. The Post Office needs a redesign. The access is worse than ever.
need more parking, opportunies for local businesses
Sidewalks and the creation of a pedestrian friendly town. The development of non - corporate,
economic opportunities for people that live in Pahoa town or the surrounding suburbs.
Malama simply needs exit and entrance. Less political influence and just do it. Retain and restore
historical town. Sidewalks
I think that since there are so many hitchhikers it would be really nice if at some of the key hitch spots
there were little shelters... This would make it more inviting to want to pick up someone who is not
totally soaked...
looping of Hele on bus from kea'au instead of routes all the way to hilo. This would make routes more
frequent and allow for added routes to the loop. People can take these smaller buses to pahoa town
to bring our commerce their safety preservation of culture and environment need roundabout on
highway * * * **
Keeping it the way it is
public transportation wider road through town more parking
1. that intersection by Long's Drugs. Whoever designed that should offer themselves to Pele. Seriously
though, a group of civil engineers need to rethink ingress, egress with minimal impact to 130 traffic.
2. more wheelchair access
There needs to be more traffic lights, crosswalks, walkways so that community members can travel
safely what every their mode of transportation.
Current progress is greatly appreciated but feel that politices usually get in the way of progress.
The dangerous intersection isn't working for me. It needs to be addressed and solved this year.
People hanging out on the street corners and drug dealing.
The road in Pahoa town and add a sidewalk. A covered bus stop should be placed at the entrance of
Ainaloa Blvd where a great deal of people wait for the bus to go to Hilo to and from Pahoa town. A
dog park would be nice to have in Pahoa town too. Sack n Save would also be nice to have because
Malama Market is too expensive for people like me on Welfare.
Cleaning up the drug trafficing and drunks handing out and more kid friendly accesible parks with
trees and big field to run around. Needs to be cleaned up. Overall its kind of a run down feeling with
a dark energy,
SIDE WALKS & BIKE LANES
Would like more trees and gardens in town near the businessess & safer paths for pedestrians /cyclists
so it would encourage more walking in town. Old Town Pahoa gets too congested with cars. Parking
area at Akebono Theater needs to be improved (fill in the potholes, etc). At some point in the future
an inexpensive shuttle that goes from one end of town to the other frequently would encourage
more walking and less driving all over town.
Get rid of Burger King & KFC
Public safety is a real problem. How many places this small have muggings on a regular basis?
Shopping is better than it used to be, but Malama Market is a rip -off because they charge 10 -20%
more for everything than their sister stores in Hilo. I think they call that "ghetto pricing." WalMart
would change that, but the hippies would revolt if they even suggested building one in Pahoa.
some "stuff' and services, but seems not quite "there"
Police have not been proactive in preventing young adults from fighting at night and break -ins in
Laquin's parking lot. Should be downtown public washroom /toilet. Clean up drinking alcohol by
homeless down and out in back street hangouts.
I like pahoa just like it is
Things need to become united, to much fighting, to much selfishness,
buildings full of mold restraunts the board walk delapidated appearence new strip mall would
be a improvement along main st
Pahoa could use more Traffic lights, crosswalks, sidewalks and walkways, a covered bus stop, and just
a little beautification. Also all the thugs that hang out on the street kinda bug me.
Need sidewalks. More parking -- make community center parking more accessible by making it
known as alternative parking spaces.
roads in and out of Pahoa are on the top of my list. They are dangerous. I also dislike the buildings
Longs, and fast food stores view. I would love see more nature, trees, or other plants.
Some dangerous intersections need to be better regulated. I would love to see more support for
community projects, like community gardens, park, playground.
keep the larger stores out. longs and kfc are enough!!!! sidewalks that connect both ends of town.
As stated throughout the survey, roads, sidewalks, bicycles /motor cycle paths, and controlled
intersections with Hwy 130 are needed. The historic cane shack buildings and boardwalks need a
facelift. The county needs to encourage new business versus create obstacles to business.
I want to be able to turn into the main entrance of Longs because it is designed for that. It's a two lane
entry way. Better service at the post office. Because waiting 30 minutes in line is not acceptable. Nor
is waiting two years for a mail box. A mental health facility to assist with getting the psych. patients
and homeless triaged into appropriate medical and DHS support, therefore off the streets.
Needs central park and open gathering space to create and maintain since of community. Modern
medical facility. Reduce need to travel for medical needs. Encourage alternative education and health
care. Reduce need for "fee for service" extractionists. Encourage sustainable agriculture. Diminish
need for imported and genetically modified food. Discourage corporate businesses. Promote small
family owned and operated ones. Protect the unique character of Pahoa, one of the last Hawaiian
places. Need to encourage non - polluting alternative energy businesses. Discourage or ban those that
do. Create unique "tax" for non owner - operated firms and those that pollute, to be used for parks,
open spaces, cultural preservation, clean energy programs, etc.
The Longs development is an example of the type of strip mall culture I do not want.
the planning layout for our latest shopping centers is haphazard to the infrastructure that leads to it.
Improvement needs to be addressed to the intersections that lead to these shopping centers. There
are too many curves /bends in the roads near these intersections and traffic backs up and gets
congested at certain key times of the day. I avoid this area if I can. I do not feel safe driving is this
area near the new shopping centers.
Parking, pedestrian traffic.
I think I had stated this on the previous page. The sidewalks are not safe, especially across the street
from Luquin's, on that side of the street. Keep the original look of the buildings, but they need to be
rebuilt, front to back, to prevent further buildings from falling down and the electric wiring is not safe,
in most of these buildings and needs to be brought up to code. A small bussiness association would
be great for staying on top of these issues and keeping the owners responsible for keeping their stores
rented with legitimate bussinesses.
too many drug -ies downtown. Don't like going to my bank with folks hanging out. Too expensive to
shop at Malamas. Dirty streets.
There are lots of creepy folks around towards evening... though I'm not sure what can be done about
this. There's no law against creepiness!
What's not working in the big Longs Drug store to greet me into town. I mean, how can someone
have thought that was a good idea. The first thing to see of Pahoa is a decrepit fence, a gas station
and a Longs store. I see no local pride in the new center there with Burger King and KFC. Was is
decided that Pahoa was to be the next mini mall on the island. I moved here to get away from these
things. Where is the Pahoa town pride?
The traffic plan needs improvement - like by Malama Marketplace - because it's so unsafe.
The intersection near malama market where daily accidents happen. Put a flashing light or something.
More bus shelters in front of 7 -11. Better sidewalks in Pahoa town and a bike lane. A free community
office for people to fax, copy, and print documents instead of going to town. Why can't Fred's office
be used for this as long as we can prove its for a job or county or state related. Gas is expensive for
the poor in puna. Need ber social services, and medical care, the bay clinic is s00000 dirty and
unclean. The urgent care in malama never has a real doctor just np. We also need to have a clear
picture of what is happening with geothermal and all the noise. If we need gas masks in case of
emergency than let us know, don't wait till something bad happens.
Drug and alcohol use on the streets, not enough quality health care and mental health care. Lack of
side walks and bike lanes. Congested post office area, too small for the size of the community. No
safe place for kids to play, no playgrounds and picnic areas.
More business opportunities for those who are willing to set up small business. Cheaper rent to begin
with, perhaps subsidized so more variety can exist
The thugs hanging out at the bank or near cash and carry makes a very bad statement to tourists and
locals and doesn't make it a safe feeling area.
I never feel like walking in Pahoa due to missing sidewalks, same with biking.
Access and road into shopping center is dangerous and poorly planned. At least put a stoplight out on
highway to improve safety for folks turning left to Hilo town from this intersection.
better bicycle connection all the way down Pohoiki road and kapoho road
Parking is terrible. The quirkyness of the town is teetering on becoming shabby. Some homes that face
the main street are junkyards and unattractive. The village needs to be cleaned up. Real estate owners
need to come together to create a warm and friendly look across all the store fronts, walkways. Add
street lighting! Capitalize on the good architectural designs and adopt a set of standards for new
developments.A great central park that has something for all ages, water, bike paths, gardens, picnic
areas, pavilions for entertainment.
not enough restrooms .... not enough side walks on main street... not enough places for teens to hang
out ... or to take classes in many skills ... to play table tennis and other games ... may be a mini golf course
might be fun ... teens,as it is now, are hanging out on the side streets looking bored...
Old Gov't Rd. is dangerous to all users .... auto, foot, bikes and other wheels. Address the drug use;
Widen Poste Office Rd and redress the in /out flow of traffic and parking... it's horrific! Make a large,
paved, lighted parking lot with paved paths to town center and paved sidewalks /wheel paths
connecting all areas.
Need parking facilities, pedestrian and bikeway access (sidewalk, bike paths), ADA access
requirements met. New Post Office in differen location. Family rec center (YMCA type). Rezone for
mixed use within Pahoa boundaries. Create more park space for shoppers and visitors to rest in.
there needs to be a foot path from the village to malama that is clearly marked and not menaced by
the lakes that form in the road when it rains.
Safety concerns - roads (sometimes scary as people forget to stop or speed) - more lights at night.
traffic light at the intersection of Malama /Woodland center because too many accidents happen
there. It is hard to see sometimes and gets confusing. Need more places for pedestrians to walk
safely.
The scruffy characters hanging around tend to discourage us from spending more time in Pahoa Town.
The stores along the boardwalk area are so dilapidated. The boardwalk is unsafe for handicapped and
waiting for an accident to happen. Would love to see the Main Street cleaned up and more
appealing. Would like to see the intersection into the shopping center straightened out by opening
up the old road connection for traffic coming from Keaau and turning right into the center.
We need a small hospitial like honokaa..
Needs more pedestrian friendly walkways, bike paths, edible gardens, more occupancy of storefronts
with shops we need (bike repair), rubbish /recycle bins. Children's playground can be improved.
Wish the Malama market area was design different, with different architecture to match existing
pahoa arch., parking lot put behind stores to increase walkability, less focus on cars, more focus on
people.
Have no need to rely on any services in Pahoa town.
No retail development is allowed (Longs being the exception, but that was fought left and right) and
the consequence is that there are zero jobs for the young people.
Employment of some kind.
I put it on #15. One more thing: keep the development off the main highway, and keep it on the old
road. For safety, beauty, and reducing sprawl.
The traffic flow is dangerous and obstructive to pedestrians and other vehicles.
Noisey traffic, individuals loitering,
the dangerous intersection to Malama Market - it needs stop signs!
Solutions for getting the riff raff from hanging out infront of some of the stores. Its uncomfortable and
potentially dangerous
Pahoa town needs bike dedicated bike lanes to promote the use of bicycle transportation by more
people.
As mentioned, chain fast food franchises like Burger King and KFC. These businesses pay local
employees poorly, offer no benefits, create waste in town, provide poor quality food, and are now
suffering financially and word around town is they're not going to succeed. The community should
have been consulted about this, or at least surveyed in this manner. It's a shame something more
creative could not have been thought of. Also, the general first impression of Pahoa is the run -down
and dirty feel in downtown. The new Longs and Malama Market areas are very nice - some
renovations in the older parts of town would be appreciated. The LuQuins parking lot, along with the
uneven and not - handicap - friendly wooden sidewalks of downtown, can't compare to the newer
shopping centers.
Abandoned stores and restarants Loitering Drug dealers Violence No bike paths Traffic
Idiotic traffic design on North side of town. Who the heck did the design for 130 to the Malama
Market shopping area? I assume some brother -in -law or other. And the Kahakai turn ? ?!? Try to put
in roundabouts. I realize that they seem like foreign strange things, but for goodness sakes, they
actually work! http: / /www.gtcmpo.org/ Resources / Topics /Roundabouts /Roundabout.jpg
Lets put a stop to the McDonnalds and Berger King tyoe of franchises poisoning our community. I
realize what's already in place will prob stay but no more! I hate being approached for drugs, lets
cleanup the town. I avoid bringing my guests into town, it's an embarrassment to me. Let get a real
museum!
It's not pedestrian friendly. I love to walk, live in Leilani, and can't walk to Pahoa because it's too
unsafe. We need sidewalks /pathways to change this. The #130 entrance to Pahoa Marketplace needs
to be made safer. I have to go to Hilo every month for grocery and clothing shopping, dentists and
doctor appointments. Would like to see those stores /services offered in Pahoa area.
Many buildings are unsightly and falling down. The eating opportunities don't appeal to me although I
sometimes I eat at Luquins. I seldom shop in Pahoa Town except at the clothing and book stores. It
would be nice to have a less- expensive alternative to Malama for groceries. I wish there was an active
senior center in town.
Lack of sidewalks, road access. confusing zoning
less development is key.
Occasionaly, the rather sketchy people you may see hanging out throughout the area. This leads to a
rather negative view.
I would love for the police to have walking patrols of the old town area. The influx of "seedy
characters" hanging out on the sidewalks does not improve our image and does not increase one's
desire to window shop or dine there.
ACceHistoricala€ ? I see no historical preservation theme occurringa €; this is what I see. I see them
trying to take an old Black and White CRT T.V. and have it function as a Color High Definition LCD wide
screen. The whole thing is an unrealistic disjointed pipe dream. Restore the old black and white CRT
T.V. and put it on a pedestal with like type buildings and business then put a rope around it (no cars)...
Put the new HD TV elsewhere in the house and call it "New Pahoa ". The whole plan is flawed; Pahoa
does not have the appropriate infrastructure flow to grow and current continued growth with
vehicular traffic incorporated is not possible. Go back to the drawing board.
Needs a facelift! It'd be cheap. Get RID of those pot copters!!! They are an extreme annoyance and
intrusion into our communities. PLAY "POT COWBOYS" SOMEWHERE ELSE!!!
Whats not working for me is the rate of franchise and big business development here. It is going boot
out all the local shops, destroy Pahoa's local economy, and hurt what makes Pahoa good. If we are to
preserve Pahoa's historical integrity and promote sustainability we need to regulate how much big
business Pahoa can afford before looking like mainland America. Most of these big businesses will
eventually gain a stranglehold on the town while not distributing as much local products and local
businesses do, hurting the agriculture and creativity that surrounds Pahoa that many Pahoa -ans rely
on to flourish.
Restore historical Pahoa. old style wooden Sidewalks. Widen mainstreet only. Keep out new office
buildings on Main street. No high rises , restore Old style plantation town.. Eradicate albizia Only
necessary commercial development for Smallest district. Not super development
Flowers and fire torches on the main strip.
A continous sidewalk from high school to post office would be very nice. Especially the stretch
between cash and carry to Sirius coffee. I've almost been hit be inattentive drivers a few times.
Our community is not rich and is one of the last best places in Hawaii to live. Please do not take that
away.
Narrow streets, terrible parking, better access to PO and drop -mail box.
The pedestrian /car mix does not work. It is a mess, Downtown Pahoa should be car -free on Weekends
as an experiement. People should be able to freely travel from one side of the street to the other,
without having to do a death dash to cross the street, There should be NO LOITERING outside the cash
and carry or the smoke shop. Tourist oriented business should be given every possible incentive to
locate in downtown Pahoa,.
It was crazy to put in a bypass and then clog it up with new business. Poor planning and short
sightedness by the county. Kahakai Blvd needs to be able to go thru by the new Longs. Road between
130 and the Post Office needs to be improved.
A park and ride (closer than Maku'u) where we can safely and legally park overnight. I am told that
parking overnight at the community center is not allowed. Maybe change that rule? There was a
situation where i really would have benefited from leaving the vehicle there till morning. And it did
not involve alcohol. ;)
a community web page and more jobs
Business opportunities are limited. We need more light industry, and to improve the attraction to the
tourism that is available.
Needs some diversified shopping opportunities.
The geo- thermal power development outside of town is a dangerous threat to the whole community!
The smell alone will ruin the area and real estate. The intersections are very dangerous. The roads
are narrow and visibility is poor. Parking is difficult and awkward, causing small collisions
Pedestrian safety. Hele On bus schedule /routes, bus stops, and driver courtesy need vast
improvement; changes should be made WITH the residents and riders rather than a county office.
Pahoa should focus on walkability first, driver convenience second. Public restrooms. Places to SIT
and enjoy the hum, other than restaurants. Benches, covered shelters, places for kids to hang and be
kids safely. A vibrant elder and child day center that feeds the generations through connectedness,
nourishment and learning.
Downtown navigation and lack of bike paths, sidewalks and good crosswalks. Also, the lack of services
to the elderly. The Pool should be made to use their boiler units to heat the water and the Post office
needs to be relocated and expanded. We need more bus services into Pahoa and the adjacent
subdivision - into Hilo town. Pahoa needs better emergency and medical services!
Better green space and garden space. I think adding bike paths that easily and safely connect the town
would be great. Having a better space for the market that is more inviting and demonstrates
community agricultural pride.
I drive into Pahoa almost daily and almost always spot illegal drug use taking place. As long as this is
allowed to take place our town will never be as good of a place as it could be. Those quaint
buildings need to be spruced up and the bordwalks need to be acessable to those with handicaps and
stroller friendly. The lack of sidewalks and bicycle friendly shoulders are a real problem. I often see
families trying to walk along the road with babies in strollers and small children in hand. There is no
place for them to walk except on the road.
The traffic in and out of Pahoa is a problem and there needs to be more walkways and areas for
bicycles /scooters.
Pahoa needs revamping in a major way to preserve the beautiful old buildings, yet improve the
transportation in /out and within pahoa, as well as parking, alternative transportation, and pedestrian
traffic in this area. It may need some one way streets mauka and makai of the main government road
interconnected every few blocks, with provisions for adequate parking etc., with the main drag
beautified with real sidewalks and planting areas. Lack of services (social, utilities, business) are
limiting. Lack of parks, and other cultural / recreational facilities limits abilities to bring the
community together. Random violence keeps people feeling unsafe in Pahoa town. County officials
turn deaf ear to community concerns about changes to building code and resources development in
the area.
Roads are narrow and poorly lit at night. Difficult for pedestrians and bicyclists because of no
sidewalks on Government Road.
I really think that the county could have spent $3 million on the police department and the dump and
used the extra couple of million to make a youth center to get these kids off the street, even a place
where they can sleep if they need to. There is a lot of homelessness and people need a place to go, or
they will get desperate.
there is no bad cause we can learn from everything thats happening now and its up to us if it is going
be part of our history..
When trying to emerge from a side street or driveway onto Old Gvmt Rd, in many places visibility is so
limited that you cannot see an oncoming car in time to safely cross. Mostly, this is due to cars parked
too close to the driveway or corner.
No comment
The hippies always stalking you and asking for drugs and hand outs. Put them on a job training or
community project to earn their assistance.
Proper drainage of road, parking, sidewalks, bike lane, bike path from Leilani Estates along the power
line road to Pahoa
It does not feel safe at all downtown. I do not go down there at night, there are a lot of trouble
makers hanging out, drug dealing and public drunkenness and foul language. Too bad as there could
be a nice time had at some of the restaurants etc. The area at the cash and carry and in front of the
bank next door is rediculous. You have to run the gauntlet just to get into the bank or store most of
the time.
Those intersections with the by -pass and the new retail development. I wish the library were bigger,
but glad it's there.
Walk- troughs are dysfunctional. The town needs to prioritize people on foot and motor -less bicyclers.