“Neighborism” is a simple concept: people who live near each other know each other, interact regularly, and share a sense of mutual awareness and responsibility. It is not political. It is social and practical. It reflects everyday behaviors—greeting someone on a walk, watching out for a neighbor’s property, or exchanging information about local issues.
Princeville has long supported this kind of neighborism. The physical design of the community encourages it. Residents walk their dogs along quiet streets. People meet at farmers markets, at the Princeville Shopping Center, or at the dog park. Many residents spend time outdoors, tending to their yards or simply enjoying the environment. These patterns create repeated, low-friction interactions. Over time, they build familiarity and trust.
This informal network complements the formal structure of a planned community. The governing documents emphasize maintaining the “value, desirability and attractiveness” of the land . Neighborism is one of the mechanisms through which that objective is achieved in practice. It reinforces norms of behavior that no rule can fully specify.
The rapid increase in vacation rentals has altered this dynamic. Rentals introduce occupants without long-term ties to the community. These properties often function as transient accommodations rather than residences. Visitors typically have limited interaction with neighbors and limited understanding of local norms. Owners are frequently off-island and may not engage with community governance or vote on association matters.
The result is a partial decoupling between property ownership and community participation. Houses remain, but residents—defined as people with continuity and engagement—are less present. This weakens the informal layer of neighborism that supports community cohesion.
This is not unique to Princeville. It is a Hawaii-wide issue. Counties and the State continue to evaluate regulatory responses, but policy alone will not resolve the underlying social gap. A practical response is to strengthen neighborism where it still exists. This includes simple actions:
- Encouraging residents to meet and communicate with nearby property owners and renters
- Providing clear, visible guidance to visitors about community expectations
- Increasing participation in association meetings and elections
- Reinforcing shared norms through consistent, visible behavior
Neighborism does not require formal programs. It depends on repetition, visibility, and participation. In a place like Princeville, where the physical setting already supports interaction, reinforcing these patterns is a direct way to maintain the community’s long-term character.
2 responses to “Building Princeville: From Ranch Land to Resort Community”
This history is fascinating, but it highlights a significant problem. Princeville was Hawaii’s first planned community, and the early rules and covenants were fairly weak in my view. The Makai golf course is protected by an agreement that expires soon.
[…] its early design in the 1970s to today’s neighborhoods, Princeville has been guided by a plan, and founding […]