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Kekaha, "The Place" to Be!
Kekaha, tanslated into English, is "The Place". It was once a "sugar plantation town" that is commonly referred to as a "bedroom community". It has a minimum of retail outlets, 4 educatonal institutions (1public elementary school grades K-5; 1 parochial school, grades K-8; 2 charter Hawaiian language immersion schools, K-12). The community is comprised of residentaial neighborhoods, several faith-based establishments, and variety of cottage-industries including B&B, time-shares,, and computer-based businesses. Kekaha is situated on the way to the Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF) in Mana and the Kokee mountains that feature scenic attractions which are considered to be the finest and among the most photographed in the nation.
Kekaha is, geographically, the south-westernmost small town in the USA, so it's post office, schools, stores and churches gain some national recognition simply by being where they are. However remothe Kekaha might be, it's close proximity to PMRF and to the Grand Canyon of the Pacific puts this town on the hghway to technical megatrends as well as being a conduit to a host of world treavelers seeking a glimpse of paradise. Imposed upon that juxtapostion is the prevalling attitude amon its residents that they desire to keep life simple, safe and wholesome.
With this in mind, returing to the "good old plantation says" of yesteryear is an exercise in futility. We knonw we need to keep up with the times--including aspects that come with the Information Age; the immediacy of cyberspace connections; and the demand for employment opportunities and levels of entry that require appropriate vlidation of educational credentials and levels of entry that require appropriate validation of educational credentials and background experience. At the same time, we need to maintain those ideals and values that foster caring and sharing with repect for each other and the environment.
In light of these statements and observations, it is imperative for the residents of this community to become PRO-ACTIVE in a formalized and cohesive manner to determine specific goals and objectives to fulfill its mission, Aprocess must be established by which ithe schools, churches, athletic teams (adults and children), senior citizens, business enterprises, civic orgaizations, service agencies, financial intitutions, health providers, artists, philanthropists, and special interests groups of every sort and variety will be willing to formulate cohesive strategies to implement. There needs to be focus on such topics as:
There needs to be focus on such topics as:
- New Housing Development
- An Aging Population
- The needs and interest of our youth
- The continual impact of the Information Highway
- The presence of substance abuse affecitn all age groups and social-economic levels.
- The options that need to be created or sought after to ensure econimic opportunity and entrepreneurial ventures
- Safetly and Health Measures
- Infrastructural provisions and maintenance
- Community-base activities that require commmunity -monitoring
- The advent of tourism on our rural areas
- The presevation protection of our finite resources
Because of the scope of possiblities as aforementioned, these proposals and considerations are offered as possible approaches:
- Establish a Hibiscus Park/Wellness Center Atrration: This can be an economic anchor for the community, replacing the sugar cane history of the town. With appropriate landscapiing and the combination of health facilities and programs on the premises, it can be a unique experience for visitors and residents to enjoy. This complex may aslso be designed to be a natural-disater holding area for area residents ( of Kekaha and Waimea). As such, this concept may also support a community-gardening program which promotes self-reliance and self-sustainability. Through this effort, food provisions for the hospital, the care homes, the schools, senior citizens and community residents may be available.
- Explore the possiblity of creating a Mill Mall/Museum: The approach (separate or combined with the suggestion above) is envisioned to be "rural" in its ambiance. The local manapua shop, saimin corner, the malasada outlet. "home-cooking" restaurants, the local craft and hobby shops, along with the mementos of the plantation lifestyle could be well recived. The site can also host a pharmacy outlet, a beauty-health salon, a sewing fabric center; offices for social services agencies, etc.
- Explore the possiblitiy of creating a Cosmetics Industry: By producing shampoos, lotions, colognes, creams and oils with fragrances from maile, pikake, ginger, etc. these products may be worth our time and attention. Folk-medicine health products line Noni and bitter melon derivatives could be a part of this endeavor.
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