Big Island

[Milogic at aol.com]

There are no "ocean front" acres in Pahoa as it is several miles in either 
direction from ocean. On the northerly and east side of Kapoho area (the 
southeast corner of the island) lies Wa'a Wa'a (canoe sheds were located in 
this area and canoe is Wa'a) which is very rugged, mostly cliffs pounded by 
the swells coming all the way from the Americas. 

To the  southerly and west of Kapoho, there are some residential areas 
varying from subdivisions to individual lots, most of which would also 
qualify as rugged, many opportunities to get off line, etc. These areas are 
about ten or more miles from Pahoa town. Directly down the road south of 
Pahoa lies what was Kalapana. This area was inundated by lava a few years 
ago. (which is still flowing just to the west of there). Kapoho was taken out 
about 1950 or so by Pele so there is relatively recent lava rock in the 
middle of the area, too. 

This whole area is Zone One for both volcanic activity and earthqauakes. 
Plus, blessings of stupid technology, we have a fairly large geothermal 
development plopped in the middle of what was once lowland rainforest. Only 
in very recent months has minimal home and earthquake insurance again become 
available at rather steep rates.

The lowland rainforest hereabouts is considered the last lowland rainforest 
in the USA. Bulldozers work every day to reduce it so papaya and other 
exotica can be planted to ship (very non-pc) to the continent thoroughly 
gassed for export.

The lowland rainforest is a delightful climate. But don't tell anyone more. 
OK?

The Puna district of Hawaii is minimally afflicted by tourism, fortunately. 
Pahoa may be the last genuinely funky and friendly town in Hawaii. We hope it 
can stay that way. There are a variety of small restaurants with varied 
offerings. We have the Akebono Theater, the oldest and most funky movie house 
still going in Hawaii. Lots of funky folks, too. A few permaculture types 
scattered around such as La'akea Gardens featuring Don May and offering two 
15 day certification courses as well as many workshops during the year. 

We live about a mile or so from the nearest highway (130). Now and then we 
hear some trucks and souped up cars at night or during the day. Down along 
the Red Road along the coast from Kalapana to Kopoho, a few cars and fewer 
trucks except the usual jockeys with an overdose of testosterone come along 
now and then. Out Wa'a Wa'a the road gets very interesting. Try to go much 
more than 15 mph and plan for new suspension regularly.

If you have never lived in Hawaii, it is hard to appreciate that most of the 
islands are quite different than almost anyplace else you can imagine. 
Islands are not the same as living anywhere on the continents. The myriad 
microclimatic differences can be very significant, a few hundred yards to one 
side or the other and up  or down and much changes quite dramatically. The 
volcanic origins make for thin soils, if any, and often quite acidic 
conditions. The imported plant life has pretty well done in the local stuffs 
and has to be worked on constantly to keep from getting overwhelmed in a few 
weeks.The wonderful arrays of bugs native and imported add intriguing 
challenges to growing what we call "haole" vegetables. And, saving grace, we 
have absolutely delightful farmers' markets twice a week in Hilo (about 25 - 
30 miles north) and Pahoa on Sunday mornings -- a real treat. Mollison's 
permaculture concepts and practices are great and need a lot of creative 
interpretation here. Visit La'akea Gardens to see seven years of work 
beginning to make some headway. Lots learned there (and in other PC --sort 
of--sites around this big island) if you are serious about tropical 
permaculture.

Milo Clark
Pahoa HI