Yeah, so true. I fully support Zen's vision. I live ~7 miles away in the same subdivision, Hawaiian Acres. There are so many interesting and diverse experiments with sustainable community living here. We have a homeschooling group forming, many friends and young families living off the grid, trading tips on solar power, etc.

Acreage here is astoundingly cheap considering all the new development happening in Keaau (a new 30 acre mall coming?!?), and the proximity to both Hilo and Pahoa. Plus, there are no strong zoning regs out here, and unpermitted structures will be tolerated long into the future. Buying land is an incredible investment, and it looks like Zen is truly willing to help the landless join the ranks of the landed.

I think people are scared off because
1) The roads here are terrible. But slowly the wheels of politics roles on, and more politicos are talking about helping the poorer subdvisions, like us, with improving the roads. And Fern Acres will need an Emergency Access road someday, so they perhaps they will pave F, and hopefully not my G! :-)
2) People think we are remote, and far from the beach. But once the roads are fixed, people will discover we are one of the most centrally located subdivisions in Puna. Bus service down 8 rd is already being discussed!
3) Rainy, true. Hope you have some hobbies like computers or music you can do under shelter. My cat doesn't seem to mind the rain, so I'm learning to live with it too.
4) Lava risk, true. Never pays to get too attached to land.

Thanks Zen, for food for thought and for the future.
--Benjamin