Nā Moku ‘Aupuni ‘O Ko‘olau Hui secures lease for Camp YMCA; announcement made at Keʻanae Ko‘olaule‘a

A celebration of Hawaiian culture, Ke‘anae Ko‘olaule‘a brought together East Maui families, local vendors, island residents and others last week Saturday, Aug. 24, at the Ke‘anae Peninsula.

The event was organized by Nā Moku ‘Aupuni ‘O Ko‘olau Hui and included an announcement that the group secured a 65-year lease for the former Camp YMCA, now known as Ke‘anae Uka, according to a County of Maui update.

“The newly acquired Ke‘anae Uka will serve as a community campground and events facility,” Mayor Richard Bissen said in a social media post. “This space will be a hub for cultural enrichment, educational opportunities and environmental stewardship, reflecting our commitment to fostering a vibrant and sustainable community.”

The cultural festival also raised funds for post-high school scholarships for lineal descendants and tenants of the Ko‘olau region.

Founded in 1996, Nā Moku is dedicated to educating, perpetuating and protecting the historical, spiritual, traditional and environmental well-being of the Ke‘anae-Wailuanui ahupua‘a.

Mayor Bissen has roots in Ke‘anae through his maternal grandmother, Esther Pahukoa, who hailed from the village, known for its taro farming and fishing.