Soils? Some areas near Pahala have rich soils as deep as 25 feet! which is unheard of in Puna and Kona. The soils (and their chemistry, I checked it out with U of H soil scientists) are easily on a par with North Hilo and Hamakua, and maybe better. I don't live in Pahala, but for farming it appears to be ideal. 30 years ago I dreamed of living in nearby Wood Valley. I still love that remote and magical place, with its serene Buddhist temple in the forest, maybe my favorite place on the Big Island. One of the world's best and newest coffee districts, Ka'u coffee, is centered around Pahala. Naalehu also has good soils. Two subdivisions -- Discovery Harbor and Mark Twain Estates, offer some contrasts, but 1/3 acre properties there can offer some opportunities for gardening. The climate is quite similar to Kona coffee country. Mark Twain Estates is still mostly undeveloped, with unpaved roads, while Discovery Harbor is a modern, but still remote subdivision on a golf course and with large lots. Lots of satellite dishes, if you catch my drift. The average lot size in both subdivisions is around 1/3 of an acre -- enough to plant and grow anything you want. Unless you want to spend your entire weekend whacking weeds, 1/3 acre is all you really need unless you want to go into commercial farming. And for heaven's sake, don't go into farming in lower Puna unless it's orchids, papayas or nursery stock, because there's no soil at all.

@Bobchai Very invaluable information! Thank you very much!