Puna Community Development Plan

Volcano Village, in the vicinity of Volcano National Park and the Klauea Caldera, 2006

Puna Community Development Plan Island of Hawaii
Expected Completion Date: December 2007
Client: County of Hawaii, Planning Department

PlanPacific was retained by the County of Hawai'i to prepare a regional development plan for the Puna District, which is a rural area that is experiencing a rapid pace of housing development and population growth. The district faces unique challenges. It is situated within the direct influence zone of Hawai'is two active volcanoes, so about half of the land area is exposed to high risk of lava flow and seismic hazards. Much of the area still has extensive native forest cover, and there are habitats for rare and endemic species.

Hawaiian Paradise Park subdivision, 2006

Between 1959 and 1973, more than 50,000 lots most within the 1 to 3 acre size range were created in subdivisions that lack standard infrastructure systems. Most streets are unpaved and there is no centralized sewer system or municipal water system. A large percentage of the lots are not connected to the electrical power grid. While less than 25% of the lots have been developed with dwellings, new residential construction has accelerated in recent years because the land costs in Puna are relatively affordable.

LEFT: Developed lots in 2005, with density ranges indicated by color ranges -- rust brown for most dense with progressively lighter colors to yellow less dense. The lighter shade of green indicated large farm lots, while darker green represents undeveloped areas

RIGHT: Developed lots by 2030, projecting current trends

The purpose of the Puna Community Development Plan is to identify a growth management strategy to contain sprawl, protect important natural and cultural features, avoid exposure to natural hazards, and provide cost-effective ways to provide community services.