ANAHOLA — The Kumu Camp, a nonprofit project of the Anahola Hawaiian Homestead Association, is celebrating its third full year of operation in November. Located on Hawaiian Home Lands, Kumu Camp is a campground developed and operated by volunteers that
ANAHOLA — The Kumu Camp, a nonprofit project of the Anahola Hawaiian Homestead Association, is celebrating its third full year of operation in November.
Located on Hawaiian Home Lands, Kumu Camp is a campground developed and operated by volunteers that are Native Hawaiian beneficiaries of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act.
“The HHCA set aside lands for us,” said Kipukai Kuali’i, president of AHHA. “To live, to farm, to ranch, to do business and to operate nonprofit programming. Kumu Camp is one of our projects that turned a drug-infested area of our trust lands into a family focused and healthy outdoor experience.”
Kumu Camp features 10 platform camping sites with tentalows, two large yurts and up to 15 ground campsite areas. For those with their own tents and camping gear, the campground has camp sites located around the eight-acre parcel. If you want a bed and a shower, the tentalows provide that.
“It’s hard to believe that we’ve made three years, it’s gone by so fast,” said Sherri Cummings, AHHA vice president. “Over 1,000 kids, families and cultural or faith-based groups have been through our campground experiencing community fellowship, healthy outdoor activities and reconnecting with the aina right on Anahola Bay.”
Once an area filled with garbage, junk cars and illicit drug activity, today Kumu Camp features not only the campground, but two volleyball courts where community tournaments are hosted.
“It’s the right place, at the right time, to heal and create chances for our youth to do healthy activities,” said Kawika Kuali’i, an Anahola resident. “Kumu Camp has been a part of my own recovery, inspiring me and many others to coordinate and participate in co-ed community volleyball tournaments and family fun days throughout the year.”
AHHA started working on Kumu Camp with the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands in 2009. The first three years were dedicated to cleaning the parcel with family volunteers and raising funds to develop the camp sites.
All camping fees support Anahola youth and cultural programs.
Interested campers can contact Kumu Camp at manager@anaholabeachretreat.org or by phone at 631-9082.
