A community member from Honomu mentioned that their project would provide a local "place to gather" and a location for Internet access for young people through a partnership with several local organizations. Eventually, he said, he anticipated that computer connections would be in place among four communities along the coast with four networked community computer centers.

One team member from Laupalloehoe said she found the "connections with resource people one very good part of this." She had hosted one trainer as a house guest. A South Puna team member said the MIRA experience had created "better relationships among team members" and an opportunity for networking with other teams, it's the "exchange of ideas" that she found especially beneficial. "We'll always be friends, allies," she said. A Kona team member said the long-term benefit of "friendships" would mean the most to her.

An Ocean View team member said his community had felt isolated before the MIRA experience, but now they know that "other communities have similar problems." The "networking has been invaluable," he said. Ocean View is an interesting community that is 30 miles from the nearest fire station. It has no school and the community has no water system, The closest elementary school is 17 miles distant.

A Honaka'a team member said MIRA "gave us meeting time" that community members don't normally make time for. That will result in more community involvement over the long haul, he said.

A team member from Na'alehu/Pahala said he was "surprised at some of the similarities around the Big Island, yet some things are so different."

In general, the long-term benefits of the new friendships made and collaborations offered were considered strong points by virtually everyone interviewed.