Governor Visits Camp Maluhia, Includes Facility on Funding List

Governor Neil Abercrombie discusses Camp Maluhia improvements with Boy Scouts Board of Directors. Clockwise around table. Or left to right around table- Brian Kakihara, Robert Nakagawa, Herb Yuen, Eugene Bal, Governor Neil Abercrombie Left of table: Carol Reimann, Walter Vorfeld. Courtesy photo.

By Wendy Osher

During a recent visit to Maui, Governor Neil Abercrombie stopped at Camp Maluhia, located along the Kahekili Highway, below the Waiheʻe Ridge Trail.

The site visit included discussion with the Boy Scouts board of directors, the group that manages the camp and wilderness facility.

The Boy Scouts facility is the recent recipient of a $1.5 million appropriation from the state to be used for repair work at the aging facility.

As soon as the funds are released, it will reportedly trigger a $250,000 grant from the County of Maui, said board members, but additional funds are being sought to bring the facility up to modern day standards.

Governor Neil Abercrombie visits Camp Maluhia. Photo taken with Maui County Council Boy Scouts Board of Directors. Front row left to right- Ellen Loucks, Eugene Bal, Governor Neil Abercrombie, Eric Nagamine, Carol Reimann, Fred Wong Back row left to right- Herb Yuen, Marilyn Niwao Roberts, Hilton Unemori, Robert Nakagawa, Brian Kakihara, and Grant Chun. Courtesy photo.

Board member Carol Reimann noted that the majority of the state funds will go towards repairing water lines and tank, as well as a fire suppression system. These projects, she said, will bring the property up to code and open the door for other overdue repairs on the 17-acre property.

Board members note that Camp Maluhia is occupied 60% of the year, and 95% on weekends throughout the year.

“The Boy Scouts are very grateful to Governor Abercrombie, the State of Hawaii and Maui County for the much-needed funds to improve Camp Maluhia,” said Scout Executive Robert Nakagawa in a press release. “In addition to Scouts, Camp Maluhia is occupied 50 weekends of the year by numerous community groups who will also benefit from the improvements,” he said.