Apparently you need a chicken coop with chickens if you want eggs?
Hey, maybe there is the business there and a way to make a living other than tourism?
There are areas near the lava flows and are cheaper for obvious reasons.
The Big Island is somewhat barren in areas. Primarily because it is a newer island and vegetation hasn't had a chance to grow and expand. Then again, it is affordable.
Kauai has chickens roaming all over the place.
I have a friend that raises free range chickens ( roasters) on the Hamakua coast . They make a nice supplemental living doing that .
The side of the island where Kona is is barren. It is a small part of the island. The rest of the island is far from barren. It has rainforest and the northern part of the island is green rolling hills with spectacular ocean views. The Puna area is a ways from the volcano and lava flows and is a gorgeous area. It also has very affordable real estate. Lots of truck farms in the area and fruit everywhere. Hilo is still a fishing village where you can go pick out which fish you want to eat for the day at the fish market.
Most people have a very skewed view of Hawaii. They think It is all like Waikiki or Kona. Far from it.