KOKE‘E — The buzz of saws and the pounding of hammers has temporarily disturbed the tranquility of a corner of Koke‘e. Thirty-plus volunteers from all points of Kaua‘i scrambled around 70-year-old Camp Hale Koa preparing a previously uninhabitable cabin for
KOKE‘E — The buzz of saws and the pounding of hammers has temporarily disturbed the tranquility of a corner of Koke‘e.
Thirty-plus volunteers from all points of Kaua‘i scrambled around 70-year-old Camp Hale Koa preparing a previously uninhabitable cabin for its debut as the “model cabin” — an example for the rest of the camp’s seven cabins.
“This is truly amazing” said Sarah Hill, a youth worker and one of the board members of the Camp Hale Koa Association. “A year ago, on our first workday, my volunteer group from the North Shore took on the duty of cleaning out this cabin. It was full to the ceiling with over 30 years of junk and debris … and look at it now!”
The sparkling cabin with new beds, mattresses and interior is just one of many positive changes for this jewel hidden in the mountains of Koke‘e.
An open house will be held Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be snacks, beverages and live music available.
“And we hope that local folks or even visitors who feel like taking a drive to Koke‘e will drop in, take a quick tour and talk story with us,” said Rick Bundschuh, pastor of Kaua‘i Christian Fellowship who serves as the executive director for the Camp Hale Koa Association.
The independent non-profit group has been working for the past year on renovating the run-down camp.
“The changes up here have been terrific,” said Jon Irving, a youth director from Lihu‘e.
“To be honest, even though we love to take kids on camps and retreats, we had struck Camp Hale Koa off our list as it was getting way too run down. The transformation has been remarkable.”
While the camp is regaining its reputation as an affordable, safe and comfortable place to take church groups, school, sports and scouting groups, a number of families also have discovered that the camp works perfectly for ‘ohana groups or family reunions.
“The kitchen and meeting room are huge and well equipped,” said Renee Kester, who recently stayed at the camp with some other families. “And the kids love it here, too!”
The camp’s nightly rate is $12 per camper or staff with a 30-person minimum, according to the camp’s website. That equals $360 a night for any group of 30 or less. Additional campers after 30 would be $12 each per night.
As the group’s website explained, “We would love to provide for small family groups, couples or individuals, but the dynamics of the camp make this impossible unless they take the entire camp. … We would suggest that a few families team together for a camping experience for which Camp Hale Koa would work perfectly and still be affordable.”
Bundschuh said, “We now have seven cabins up and working which equals beds for 65 people. We have hot water on demand in the bath houses and new or refurbished appliances in the kitchen as well and the main building got its first exterior paint job in at least 20 years.”
“The support from those who value a place to camp with their group or their friends has been essential,” Bundschuh added. “They have contributed time, skill and a ton of money so that we could make the needed repairs and improvements during this last year.”
Still in sad shape is the former caretaker cabin.
“We haven’t touched that,” Bundschuh said of the residence. “In fact, we left it pretty much as we found it so that people could see the ‘before’ and ‘after’ difference in the rest of the camp … and it will take a lot more funds than we have on hand to bring that up to speed. But it is a project we someday hope to get to!”
For more information and for directions to attend Saturday’s open house at Camp Hale Koa, go to www.camphalekoa.com.
