What is the Pāhoa Village Master Plan?

The Pāhoa Village Master Plan is a comprehensive plan crafted by the Disaster Recovery Division of the County of Hawaii Planning Department as a strategic roadmap for the growth and development of Pāhoa Village.

At its core, the Master Plan serves as a guide for the decision-making processes that will shape the future of Pāhoa Village while preserving its unique heritage and identity. It addresses critical aspects such as infrastructure, environmental management, transit, and community engagement. By integrating the aspirations and needs of the community, the Master Plan aims to create a sustainable and vibrant future for Pāhoa.

In planning for Pāhoa’s future, we place immense importance on gathering invaluable insights from property owners like yourself. County and State agencies can make investments in public infrastructure to service the Pāhoa area. As property owners, it is critical to understand your business and operational needs, and the scale of investments you can make to your property. The Pāhoa Village Master Plan project is one way to come together with these resources and plans to improve this historic and distinct place. 

The Pāhoa Village Master Plan engagement will happen in three phases:

Phase 1: Property Owners

Phase 2: Merchants and Business Owners

Phase 3: Community Members

Building Upon Resilience and Dedication

Pāhoa Village has demonstrated remarkable resilience and dedication through past planning efforts, even in the face of significant challenges like two volcanic eruptions. Recognizing the valuable work that has been invested in shaping the village's future, the Master Plan builds upon these efforts and leverages them to create a more resilient and adaptive community. 

Preserving Pāhoa's Unique Heritage

The Master Plan takes into account the rich history and distinct character of Pāhoa Village. It seeks to preserve the village's unique heritage and cultural significance while fostering an environment that encourages growth and progress.

While honoring its past, the Pāhoa Village Master Plan also looks forward to embracing opportunities for growth and prosperity. By identifying strategic areas for development and enhancement, the plan aims to attract investment, businesses, and visitors to the village, creating a thriving economic environment for all stakeholders. 

Inclusivity and Community Engagement

An essential aspect of the Master Plan is inclusivity and community engagement. It values the input of property owners, business owners, residents, and other stakeholders in the decision-making process. Through surveys, convenings, and feedback sessions, the Master Plan actively seeks to incorporate diverse perspectives, ensuring that the vision for Pāhoa Village is shaped collaboratively.

Creating a Sustainable and Vibrant Future for Pāhoa

In light of the village's history and the resilience of its residents, we are determined to create a future for Pāhoa that both honors its past and embraces opportunities for growth and prosperity. Through an integrated approach, we aim to develop a comprehensive plan that reflects the collective aspirations and needs of the community. This plan will serve as a roadmap for a sustainable and vibrant Pāhoa, preserving its unique heritage while fostering a thriving environment for residents, visitors, and businesses.

How to participate in the Pāhoa Village Property Owner Survey

The Pāhoa Village Master Plan team has initiated a Property Owner Survey as the first step in this planning process. By participating in one or both of these surveys, you will have a direct opportunity to shape the future of Pāhoa. Your input is invaluable in guiding our efforts to create a vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable Pāhoa.

To participate in the online Pāhoa Village Property Owner Survey, please click here.

To participate in the email version of the Pāhoa Village Property Owner Survey, please click here.

Please complete the survey and email it to kilauearecovery@hawaiicounty.gov or you can choose to print it out and mail it to:        

County of Hawai’i Disaster Recovery
25 Aupuni St. Suite 1002
Hilo, HI 96720

Future engagement on the Pāhoa Village Master Plan will also include business owners and residents and is expected to begin in October.

We kindly request that you complete the survey by September 30th, 2023 to ensure your input is considered during the planning process.

If you have any questions or require further information, please do not hesitate to contact us at kilauearecovery@hawaiicounty.gov or (808) 961-8729.

Stay Connected

As the Pāhoa Village Master Plan progresses, we will continue to provide updates here on the website, as well as our social media channels on Facebook, Instagram, Tiktok, and Youtube.