Module 3.7 "Other Emerging Efforts"

Module 3.7 :” Other Emerging Efforts”

The link that caught my attention was Cohousing. After our assigned reading from “Beyond You and Me”, I was interested in further reading and exploring this type of life style.

Cohousing is a type of collaborative housing in which those who live in it, take part in a community based style by actively participating in the design and operation of their own neighborhoods. Their goal is to live simply and function and one unit, a community. This life style has proven to be beneficial for both parents and children by developing social skills, receiving assistance, diversity and many more.

In addition to the positive opportunities provided to each member of the community, the cohousing also supports the efforts of “going green”. They have a high level of environmental consciousness and incorporate green building materials and techniques in the design and construction of their community landscape. They are also attentive in minimizing their impact on the natural environment. An “EcoVillage at Ithaca, NY, the site of two adjoining cohousing neighborhoods, their goal is “to explore and model innovative approaches to ecological and social sustainability.”

Fortunately, this has already begun in Hilo. There are two locations were this cohousing communities are being developed. One is in Hilo, Hawaii, 96720, United States, Towards the Ocean off Akolea Rd. and the other in Opihikao Ecovillage/Cohousing located in Pahoa, Hawaii, United States. Further more, in order to create more cohousing communities in Hilo, I believe that the idea would have to be advertised to the public as well as educating the public on all the benefits that it provides for each individual. Finding a spot wouldn’t be difficult due to the land here on the Big Island, however finding the funds to build the facilities and landscaping the cohousing community would be a little difficult. I also believe that our Hilo community would support this project due to the hardships we have trying to survive individually with our families. Cohousing would provide every family with majority of what they would need.