Let's Build Gonave, Haiti!

I mentioned in a few previous blogs about establishing rail as a main mode of travel around Gonave.  It will decrease the footprint and move people around Gonave very easily.  Transit stops can be new locations where develop starts, and can even spur vitalization in existing communities.  Having a modern infrastructure system that can not only move people and goods, will help to lure business development from foreign investors. Now many will say Gonave doesn't have good roads, housing, jobs, water, sewer service, so building a multimillion dollar rail system is far from everyone's mind.  Keep in mind that a timeline for something like this is many years down the road after some mild development has taken place on Gonave.  Also the system, if built, would be built in phases.  With the Hurko housing and office development, along with them wanting to build large Wind Turbines and a road connecting a village to the Focus City, planning ahead is a good idea. Option 1

(Image by Google Earth) This map is what could be the commuter rail line for Gonave.  The line would be some 77 miles long when completed, and would be done in phases/sections.  The goal is to connect the island with rail, while limiting the amount of personal vehicles. The track would be single track in most locations, and then branch to double track along some stations and major areas. I will post photos and videos of a potential train system that could utilize this track.  Not only will this system allow for passenger traffic by day and night, but also will allow for freight in the late hours of the night, which can limit the amount of money needed for have more ports and highways. While this system is many years away, and completing the entire system is even many more years away, it is an idea of how to modernize Gonave and put it in direct competition with places like Puerto Rico and Dominican Republic. Go Gonave!

This is not the actual ID printer that would be chosen, but it gives you an idea of what such a system looks like.  Depending on modifications, the ID printer will have software, holokote technology on the cards, magnetic stripes on the back, camera, etc.  Systems can range from $1,000 to $5,000 US. If the infusion of $100,000 comes true, it allows for dozens of these machines, along with a workforce to take the ID's.  These cards will accomplish so much and are a simple way to start the process of modernizing Gonave, and moving the island forward. As I mentioned it will allow those citizens who hold a card the opportunity to get much needed services since it establishes who actually resides on the island.   It will help with voting to allow Gonave to be a Special Administrative Region of Haiti, amongst other things. Since we are working on getting free education on the island, these cards are key to that success.  Couple this with our team finding other companies and orga

Creation of ID cards ID cards This is a sample ID card I found online from the United Kingdom,  This card is probably for a foreign student who is in England.  I will show additional cards from England that will show the front and back of the cards for actual citizens of the United Kingdom. Purpose The purpose of the ID cards are simple.  For one it will allow Gonave to have valid proof of who actually resides on the island, and their age.  It also provides proof to the United Nations that citizens on the island can easily be identified for voting purposes, and legal rights.  This will be very critical if the citizens of Gonave vote to succeed from Haiti. Card Design   Picture above are the back and front of a British ID card.  Now these are smart cards as you can see the chip in the top photo.  On the back are registration numbers, which are unique to that specific person.  Now while this is a sample card I found online, it what an actual card could

We have included the link to the Gonave Government webpage as a link, which is on the top right of this blog site under Gonave Government Web Page.  That page can also be found here .  Currently that site is only in English, but we will be updating the site soon to translate to other languages. Go Gonave

I was contacted late Friday afternoon from a company that had expressed interest in Gonave before.  After not hearing from them for about 4 months, I assumed they were waiting for further organization on their part, or to see if Gonave would turn into a SAR (Special Administrative Region). Well later Friday I got a phone call which lasted for about 2 hours.  I then had to make additional calls yesterday.  A company which chooses to remain unnamed, wanted to donate $100,000 US to get the Gonave ID program started.  They would have to have several things in place before donating the money.  One would be that a clear path of having Gonave autonomous with the Haitian government approval.  The second one would be that housing and basic infrastructure is funded, and a detailed plan is ironed out. This is great news, and a big push towards actual movement on Gonave.  I started this project almost a year ago, and it seems to be moving.  While we still have an entire mountain to climb, we

I have gotten a few questions over the last few weeks so I will answer them the best I can.  These are word for word the questions. Q1.  When will Hurko start developing on Gonave?           A.  I was not told of a timeline for Hurko and their development of Gonave.  There are many issues with starting up development, especially with Gonave.  There are government rules and red tape, all the more reason for a SAR type of government. Q2.  What is my role in the development of Gonave?          A.  My role is to bring awareness to Gonave, and the problems that exist there.  I will develop parts of Gonave's economy, but again, the red tape has to end. Q3.  Am I a government leader?         A.  No I am not a government leader. Q4.  What type of programs will be offered for jobs and housing?          A.  I am not sure completely.  I can say that with respect to education, there is a program that I am developing along with another organization to bring education to Gonave, sin

I was working with an attorney a few months back about developing a Basic Law document for Gonave.  In short a Basic Law would be very similar to a nation's constitution, except Gonave wouldn't be it's own nation.  As a result of being just an autonomous region, Gonave would have Basic Law, which is very similar to Hong Kong, and Macau which have a similar structure. I had even considered putting part of the Gonave Basic Law proposal online, but decided against it.  The document wasn't complete, and also for many other reasons.  I will talk some about the Basic Law idea, and how it will be important moving forward.  The persons who could run for office for example would have to meet the requirements of getting a Gonave ID with full right of/to abode. The Basic Law for Gonave would a legal document that establishes Gonave as a Special Administrative Region (or Zone).  The region would be within the Republic of Haiti, and while it is an autonomous, Haiti would have f

GO GONAVE The power of family is what Gonave is all about!

I mentioned that shipping containers can be used for different uses.  From homes to storefronts, to schools, and office buildings. Shipping containers are important for many reasons, but a few major reasons are they can survive hard winds, which Gonave is prone to high winds and annual hurricanes.  The containers can survive fire better than conventional homes.  The cost of modifying a container is cheap, and can be done very quickly.  The cost of purchasing a container is pretty affordable vs the cost of buying wood and the labor associated with construction.  The amount of time needed to setup the containers can be done very quickly.  Setting up 50 different container homes can be done in a matter of weeks, versus several months to a year if constructing conventional homes. Another major reason is less environmental impact.  Gonave doesn't have to deal with a large amount of construction by product, and these shipping containers don't have to end up in a scrap yard.

Creating iconic brands that are based on the island of Gonave is very important.  Small business is the engine to any nation's economy.  With those small businesses, as they become more established, they develop into iconic brands. Gonave could easily develop retail and consumer good brands.  These brands could then be advertised all over the Caribbean, which would then push Gonave's influence in the business world.  Creating a brand is no simple task, but provides large rewards if that brand is successful. As Gonave gets more attention and focus, you can make a major difference.  You could possibly be the one that will create a business and launch a new brand for the world to enjoy. Go Gonave! 

As mentioned the idea is to create a Special Administrative Region out of Gonave.  Therefore the people of Gonave can decide how they want to live their lives by making their own rules and regulations.  While Gonave would still be a part of Haiti, Gonave would have autonomy so that it can create it's own policies.  The first part would be to have ID cards.    I mentioned this on a few blogs before, but there are some policies as to how this will take place, and who will be able to obtain an ID card.  These cards will allow the people of Gonave access to health, voting, jobs, programs, housing, etc.   Also these cards will establish residency on Gonave. While this isn't the official language, it is a blueprint. Go Gonave! Gonave Immigration Ordinance GIO-0100 Haitian Citizens (a) A Haitian ci

Gonave this could be a realty for the island.  The cheap price of containers, and the fact that they are moveable can be a big draw.  Local brands could be developed which will spur the economy. This video below talks some about the video above and only touches on the container mall. This video is about a city built from containers. Go Gonave!

With construction cost being so high, and given Gonave's limited amount of resources, using shipping containers could be a viable option. These shipping containers can look like any modern store front.  Given how fast they can be put up, and given their sturdiness, these containers can be a major game changer for Gonave.  Imagine having some 20 shops opened for tourist.  As I mentioned in a previous blog about cruise ships, according to Seattle's  Economic Department, cruise ships bring $1.2 million dollars to the economy every time they dock.  Imagine a ship per week landing at a port in Gonave.  Bringing almost $5 million a year a cruise ship terminal will payoff.  Adding a retail center will bring in even more money.   As you can see this is a small mall that was created by shipping containers. These containers can be assembled in a matter of hours, and can provide immediate infrastructure. This is an example of how a motorbike shop can look.  The display is i

I remember early on when writing this blog, I stated that Gonave should have a cruise company build a port in Gonave, and it would be a major boost to Gonave's economy.  I was told by a local group who wants to turn Gonave into its own country, that I was incorrect.  They said cruise companies don't build ports and that the local municipality has to do that.  Of course that is incorrect!   I knew this because once taking a cruise myself Carnival mentioned they built a port in Cuba and are waiting for the US to overturn somethings so that cruises from America to Cuba can happen.  So again Gonave, be sure you know who you are listening to, and what their goals are.  Here at Let's Build Gonave Haiti, we have a core group that does research before we speak. With that said, Carnival is building a port in Northern Haiti.  Check out the information here .  Now some feel cruise companies take the profits back to their home countries.  While that is true, it can help with jobs, a

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More information on the proposed focus area within Gonave.  I was told that if the Haitian Parliament approves a specific type of language for zoning, then Gonave could see the development or something similar to it, shown below.   When asked in the email how the materials would be obtained to create this development, Hurko stated their main supplier of material is the American company, Home Depot.  They mentioned that a high percentage of fixtures, wood supplies, etc have been from Home Depot on other project they have done.  Give that the bottom portion of the building will be concrete and the upper floor wood, it appears that the site will go up very quickly.  With modern energy efficient fixtures, this will elevate Gonave.  The brick will be either made onsite, or purchased from a brick manufacturer.  I assume this manufacturer will be from the United States as well.  This project, to put it in the words of Hurko, "Is a game changer".   Go Gonave!