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1.6 Hamakua Today: Community Assets and Challenges <br />1.6.1 Assets <br />1.6.1.1 Natural and Cultural <br />• Dramatic pastoral, ocean, and Mauna Kea Summit views. <br />• Mauka forests, rich in biodiversity and critical habitat. <br />• Abundant rainfall, streams, and watershed resources. <br />• Pristine coastline and off -shore waters supporting unique habitats and ecosystems. <br />• Large extent of natural areas (mauka) already protected. <br />• Tradition of subsistence, recreational, and cultural access to natural resources. <br />1.6.1.2 Settlement Patterns 'A& <br />• Homestead lands, historic plantation towns, ranch lands mauka forests, small diverse farms exemplify <br />rural character and lifestyle. <br />1.6.1.3 Infrastructure, Facilities, and Services <br />• Highway 19, Old Mamalahoa highway segments, and mauka-makai homestead roads connect the towns <br />and settlements. <br />• Elementary and Middle Schools serve Papa'ikou and Pa'auilo communities; K-12 systems serve Honoka'a <br />and Laupahoehoe (the only public charter school in the Planning Area). A Kamehameha Schools preschool <br />is located in Pa'auilo. <br />• Hospital, clinic, and long-term care are located in Honoka'a. <br />• A full-time police station and fire station are located in Honoka'a; while police substations and fire <br />department facilities (for volunteer teams) are located in Pepe'ekeo and Laupahoehoe. Pa'auilo has a fire <br />truck and volunteer fire team. <br />• County Park Facilities include: Kaiwiki park & gym; Honoli'i beach park; Papa'ikou park & gym; Pepe'ekeo <br />park, ball field, community center; Honomu park, gym, & Kolekole beach park; Hakalau-Wailea tennis <br />courts & playfield; Ninole (Waikaumalo) river park, Papa'aloa gym, annex, & tennis courts; Laupahoehoe <br />swimming pool, beach park, & gym, Pa'auilo park, gym, & playfield; Haina playfield; Honoka'a park, gym, <br />playfield, swimming pool, & rodeo arena; Kukuihaele playfield & Waipi'o lookout. <br />• State Recreation Facilities include: 'Akaka Falls State Park, Kalopa State Park, and Mauna Kea State <br />Recreation Area. <br />1.6.1.4 Economic Developmen <br />• Access to healthy local food from agriculture and mauka forests. <br />• Traditions of self-reliance and sharing <br />• Agricultural tradition, infrastructure, and capacity <br />• Potential for renewable energy production <br />• Global significance as an eco -tourism destination because of the unique landscape and cultural heritage <br />21 <br />