May workshops: what’s important about rural?

1. May workshops:what’s important about rural? • balance & contrast to “town”: small towns, large open spaces, biodiversity • maintain integrity of countryside: agricultural economy, open spaces • more natural environment • very low intensity land use • low population density • pasture land & being able to ride horses safely • clean, quiet, slow • less stress • peace & quiet (can include cows mooing, chickens crowing) • ensuring that rural lasts

2. May workshops:what’s important about rural? • open space is visually dominant • large expanses of open space with no dwellings • preserving open space for future generations • keeping countryside natural, no giant houses up on mountainside • open space not manicured, but wild • open, able to smell the land, low profile human occupation • country next to town • maintaining natural landscape & vistas • viewplanes

3. May workshops:what’s important about rural? • functional working landscape with balance between agriculture & residential • buffer between agriculture & urban • perpetuation of agriculture • economically viable agricultural industry • productivity of agriculture can take place without nuisance complaints • agriculture as primary basis of zoning in ag lands • long-term agricultural areas preserved • growth of agricultural products/production to offset dependence on imported food

4. May workshops:what’s important about rural? • vibrant & sustainable local economies • economic opportunities within rural area • allow people to engage in economic activities that are important culturally to local communities • maintaining small business, like mom & pop stores & businesses • family subsistence, farm activity, affordable workforce housing • rural areas contribute to self-sufficiency & sustainability of islands

5. May workshops:what’s important about rural? • maintaining continuity of cultural values of rural areas • ...especially of those who have been there for several generations • perpetuation & preservation of way of life, traditional lifestyle, distinct from urban living • sense of community, sense of place • regional & multigenerational communities • place where children can come back to live • community that’s good for all families, not for wealthy only • everybody knows everybody • know my neighbors & feel comfortable sharing my bananas with them • ahupua`a concept – satisfy needs of community within area

6. May workshops:what’s important about rural? • valuing voice of land as wisdom base • connection to the land, `aina • places where children can grow up knowing the land • preservation of park spaces, places for families to go • providing opportunity for children to play in open space

7. May workshops:what’s important about rural? • forested areas • preserving green space & natural resources • preserving natural areas, especially hydrology, not paving over with impervious surfaces • preserving or restoring local character & ecosystems, connection of land to ocean • rural lands providing ecological benefits for inshore marine areas • protection of habitat & watershed features, streams • ahupua`a concept: mauka to makai • access to the land for gathering, etc. • able to access mountains (like for hunting/fishing) • access points to trails, beaches, open space, shoreline access

8. May workshops:what’s important about rural? • rural architecture & form • low density, building height limited to two stories, no large parking lots • town centers & areas that stay rural & are not gentrified • complete community including services, not just bigger lots • small-scale structures, compact small scale towns, with services for local residents • neighborhoods, town centers where people can gather, services & activities in keeping with small scale of rural environment • low cost development alternatives • affordable housing • insurance that rural lifestyle can be maintained, taxes don’t go so high

9. May workshops:what’s important about rural? • less density, appropriate infrastructure • less built-up area • very little or no concrete • keeping night sky dark • green on both sides of road, not houses up to road – look of it, can pull off road • narrower roadways (buses not allowed) • preserving rural roadways, one-lane bridges, pedestrians & bikes can move safely • can pull into an impervious driveway, can have own garden & not have fence around garden • able to play on roads: no 4 or 6 lane highways