Mainstreet Pahoa Marketing & Business Plan 1997

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V. PROJECT BUSINESS PLAN Name of Business: Mainstreet Pahoa Association, Inc., a community based nonprofit Mission statement: The mission of the Mainstreet Pahoa Association is to establish and maintain Pahoa Village as the social, cultural and commercial center of the Lower Puna District by enhancing the economic vitality of the community and the community's quality of life (MSPA By- Laws). Product or Service: Vendor spaces for a Farmers Market at the proposed Pahoa Village County Park, which will eventually incorporate a Visitor Information Center and museum exhibit area. A common feature of a visitor rest stop is an information center and a gift shop with locally made products would be for sale. If there is no gift shop, usually small scale vendors are present providing an array of refreshments ranging from bottled cold drinks, to fresh produce, e.g., slices of chilled local fruit, locally produced art work and handcrafts and other souvenir items reflecting local history and cultural crafts. At present, there is a weekly Farmers Market of anywhere from 10 to 20 vendor spaces set - up under temporary tents in the Akebono Theater parking lot fronting the main road of Pahoa Village. It is primarily for local residents and consists of fresh produce particularly fruits, coffee, and sweet potatoes, along with baked goods, recycled household items, some arts and crafts and potted plants. It is this weekly activity offering both a product to the consumer and a service to the vendor that would be integrated into a visitor rest stop at the County Village Park, in close proximity to the proposed Bus Station area. The bus station would be the key feature of the Village Park, and have a passenger waiting area, rest rooms, and possible police sub- station if based on the Mooheau Bus Station model in Hilo town. Factors for Success for this business plan's product and service: 1. Location. It will be located as part of the Village Park complex at the center of Pahoa town and be part of the existing community center, Pahoa fire station, community swimming pool, and adjacent to the historic Akebono Theater. Parking would be made available as part of the improvements to be made to the parcel in its development as a park facility. The present unimproved parking area would be paved and made into a village park parking area and turn around area for buses. 2. Enhancements. The village area complex includes a sufficient variety of physical C. features reflecting most early rural settlements in Hawaii as well as unique historic features: a. On the parcel are rock piles dating back to Pahoa use as a center of commercial activity. These rock piles were used for walls as part of the area's timber business. 15