Let's Build Gonave, Haiti!

When you think of Wi-Fi, you think of a Starbucks where you can order coffee and food, and surf the web.  Sometimes city trains and buses will have Wi-Fi and many hotels offer Wi-Fi for free.  Some cities like Seoul, South Korea, are giving leases to large telecom companies to build up free internet by creating a large Wi-Fi network. Gonave could be the first area in the Caribbean to institute a large Wi-Fi zone.  Why is this important when Gonavians need so many things?  Well for one more access to the world, gives Gonavians more access to ideas.  Increasing the technology of an area provides more jobs and innovation.  The idea would be to first build up a particular area of Gonave.  I have mentioned in previous blogs, creating a commercial district.  Then connecting that area so anyone in that zone would have access to free internet at any time of the day.  Having free high speed internet that can connect cellphones, laptops, tablets, etc, will allow for even educational instit

I recently started up my company which deals with residential leases, and will soon expand to other types of real estate.  If you noticed I haven't been writing lately, it is due to being very busy getting this company started.  I am in the process of moving from Albuquerque, NM to Seattle, WA.  The move is one that is strategic when it comes to business.  I will still be working on the Let's Build Gonave, Haiti campaign.  I still will be working on beers that will be brewed on Gonave.  I had to put the Ginger Beer on hold for now due to starting up my business.  The New World Ale, however was amazing, and will be making a second round of this beer to get all the flavors I am looking for. Stay tuned! Go Gonave!

http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/05/13/4114872/mosquito-borne-virus-spreads-rapidly.html

I wrote a blog on this topic several times.  I even mentioned how initially an airline could be a seaplane , due to the expense of building an actual runway.  While Gonave does have a dirt runway, it isn't always reliable due to it's size, condition, and the fact that it is made from dirt. A newer runway could be constructed that would allow very small planes to connect to Port-au-Prince.  Cessna Caravans would prove vital for Gonave success.  First off these planes are very affordable, with a price often around $1 million US.  Moreover, these planes are used by FedEx in smaller cities to fly packages in and out.  So not only is the aircraft affordable, it can also be used as a cargo plane.  Moreover, airlines have used the aircraft for passenger service.  New Mexico Airlines use these planes to fly passengers in state. Given the small amount of runway needed, cost, versatility, and reliability, a Cessna Caravan makes perfect sense. (see image below) The downside is tha

One tourist attraction that also attracts locals is the beach.  Gonave has few areas where you  can build beaches to draw in large volumes of tourists.  Given the beautiful terrain, the water, sun, and tropical views, Gonave could be sitting on a gold mine. Beaches don't need a large amount of investment to be successful.  Gonave does have a large amount of trash, and pollution on it's beaches and shorelines.  So an intensive campaign to clean up the beaches is something that needs to be done.  Potential land leases for resorts could then be granted to bring in the large tourist resort facilities.  Also getting cruise ships to come to Gonave, can also build up the local economy.  Cruise ships would be even better since the tourist will not need lodging.  This option however means that more tourist activities should be built so that tourist can enjoy their visit to Gonave.  Currently I am working with a few people to figure out ways to build a tourist economy based on c

While I mentioned in a previous blog it makes sense to build dense, given the island of Gonave's size, but to build using concrete is also important.  This is due to Gonave being in a hurricane zone as well as earthquakes. I want to break down how the first housing blocks will look, streets, utilities, retail, etc.  Today I will tackle streets. For now I will talk in generalities.  Let's take the buildings in the bottom right (2 white and grey buildings). The first construction could be easily done with two towers.  These buildings are about 35 stories tall.  There is a much smaller building in the middle of the two, which will usually contain retail, laundry facilities, small amount of office space, etc. So how do you start with these two buildings, that will eventually look like this large housing project, and connect it with roads?  Simply put, you don't.  The best thing for Gonave initially is to avoid massive road infrastructure, gas and diesel facilities,

We created a live countdown clock as to when you will see the Gonave Website. It will be very informative and a step towards building Gonave Haiti! This countdown clock is also on the blog. Go Gonave!

Why rail? Building a light rail before roadways seems a bit backwards in most parts of the world.  The problem with roads are the large amount of vehicle pollution, road take up a large amount of space, and roads are expensive to maintain. Keep in mind, Gonave is a very tiny island.  Roads and highways should be built, but shouldn't be the initial first piece of land transportation.  Given that everything has to be imported, you would have to import fuel for all of the vehicles, and even import the vehicles themselves.  It all adds up to major expenses. If a light rail line was built, the initial costs would be pretty expensive, however the lines and rolling stock vehicles would last for a very long time.  Also wind turbines  could power the entire initial system.  Again the initial costs would be expensive.  A wind turbine cost $3-4 million for a 2 MW system.  A 2 MW system could power some 30,000 US homes.  A light rail train costs about the same, $3-4 million per vehicle.

Housing on Gonave is something that is very important.  Initially housing will either be small houses for those who live further away from Anse-a-Galets.  While closer to the new central business district, housing high rises are important.  These structures, unlike rural housing, will be made of concrete and multiple stories. The above image would be perfect for Gonave.  This photo represents mostly housing, with some office mixed in.  This could be Gonave's new central business district.  In fact the actual landscape with the freeways, parks, and some office buildings would fit to house most in Anse-a-Galets, and any new residents that may come to live on Gonave.  The thousands of housing units you see, are much more affordable due to not needing as much utility infrastructure.  Everything in very compact.  Even a mall could be built inside of this huge housing complex along with future light rail lines.  This large complex would be built using numerous phases and many years