W.H. Shipman is committed to careful master planning that integrates and balances its land use with the needs of the growing Puna district. Planning activities are a critical part of a process that ensures a sustainable balance with acreage in diversified agriculture, fee simple lots in the Business Park that provide excellent opportunities for both start up and maturing companies, commercial growth around the village of Keaʻau that provides much needed jobs and services for residents of Puna and all of East Hawaii, and housing in a carefully planned setting with parks, schools and other amenities to ensure a safe and pleasant environment for those who live and work in Keaʻau.
The Company continues to look for land uses to meet present and future needs of Hawaiʻi Island. More than two generations ago, Shipman provided land for what remains Puna’s largest regional park for community use. The Shipman Business Park encourages new job creation in a carefully planned, incremental project with high standards where tenants have the advantage of fee-simple and leasehold lots. These businesses provide an important economic base for residents of Keaʻau, and all of Puna as well as Hilo. The company is also committed to affordable housing opportunities to provide a high quality living environment for those who live and work in East Hawaiʻi and Puna. The company believes that residential communities should be served with roads built to County standards, safe and reliable water and waste water systems and ample parks to provide for family and community recreation.
Shipman lands are as diverse as the Hawaiian landscape in their many productive uses. One of the State’s largest banana plantations is located here. An enormous fresh water aquifer flows beneath the property holding future promise. The University uses lands and coastline for important food development studies, and Shipman has worked with The Nature Conservancy, the State Division of Forestry and Wildlife, State Social Services and the U. S. Forest Service Stewardship program to develop habitats for endangered wildlife. In addition, the Company has made lands available for municipal services and continues to work with both State and County governments to find sites for schools, fire and police stations and roads.
Those planning their lives and looking to the future will find unique opportunities on Shipman’s Keaʻau lands. Keaʻau is a rare location where opportunities to start and grow a business abound. Farmers with few resources beyond a vision for the future and their own hard work can find land that meets their business needs. They are able to join with more than 130 other farmers working in a safe, clean and productive environment on Shipman’s farmlands. Those with a desire to sell products have been able to realize their dreams with a start at the Keaau Village Market, moving up to larger facilities in the village as their businesses grow and prosper. Solid infrastructure and facilities allow others to move their businesses into the W. H. Shipman Business Park, the third largest industrial park in the State providing some of the only fee simple industrial lands in East Hawaiʻi Island. All of Shipman’s Keaʻau lands are in an Enterprise Zone providing yet more opportunity.
Similar opportunities exist in Tigard, Oregon – a part of metropolitan Portland, Oregon – where the Durham Hall Business park provides a safe, convenient and well maintained location for businesses often being moved out of family homes and garages. This facility is located adjacent to Tigard High School in close proximity to both I-5 and 99-W. The concrete tilt up buildings provide flex warehouse/office space with high speed internet access in pleasant well managed surroundings. Our name on the marquis ensures our continuing commitment to maintain high standards for businesses in the park.