Kapa‘a community celebrates $750K renovation of Boys & Girls clubhouse

Dozens of community members on Friday gathered for a blessing of the newly renovated Boys and Girls Club of Hawai‘i Kapa‘a Clubhouse.

The building serves 100 keiki and provides a safe place to go after school with meals they can count on, caring mentors who believe in them and meaningful life experiences empowering them to discover their great futures.

“The Kapa‘a Clubhouse signifies growth, opportunity, and promise for the youth of Hawai‘i,” said Paddy Kauhane, president and CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of Hawaiʻi.

The Kapa‘a Clubhouse, which opened its doors in response to the devastation of Hurricane Iniki in 1992, was initially built as a temporary structure yet remained fully operational for decades despite its limitations. The modern enhancements to the Clubhouse include replacing portable toilets with new indoor restrooms for youth and staff, establishing electrical, plumbing, sewer and water connections, and upgrading walls, windows and flooring.

The renovation also created an additional 1,500 square feet of program space dedicated to supporting member programs, giving youth extra space to study, collaborate on projects and prepare healthy meals.

The nonprofit has secured a long-term lease with the Hawai‘i State Department of Education, making it possible to continue serving local youth for years to come. The project was years in the making and represents a $750,000 investment supported by grant-in-aid funds from the Hawai‘i State Legislature and contributions from Priscilla Chan and Mark Zuckerberg through the Hawaiʻi Community Foundation, Kapa‘a Rotary Foundation, Pacific Youth Foundation, Mobile Munchies, The Morrow Family Trust, The Garden Reception group and U-Turn for Christ.

Numerous organizations and individuals were instrumental in supporting and advocating for the project, including the Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources, Hawai‘i Department of Education, Senate President Ron Kouchi, Senator Maile Shimabukuro, House Speaker Scott Saiki, Representative Scott Nishioka, Representative Nadine Nakamura, Kaua‘i Mayor Derek Kawakami, former Kaua‘i Mayor Bernard Carvalho, Shioi Construction, Arroyo’s Plumbing, Kodani Engineers, Boys & Girls Club of America, Boys & Girls Club of Hawai‘i Kapa‘a Clubhouse members and staff, among others.

Nalani Mahelona of NRM Architect LLC, served as the architect for the Kapa‘a Clubhouse renovation and is a former Boys & Girls Club of Hawai‘i member. She attended the after-school program from 1994 to 1998 and recalled the lack of bathroom facilities and the two trailers that made up the Clubhouse. Mahelona was grateful for the support of the staff in applying to Kamehameha Schools, getting a grant for college, and applying for her first job at the Clubhouse as a summer program art teacher.

“Boys & Girls Club played an integral role in my early childhood development, giving me a safe and positive after-school learning space,” said Mahelona. “I feel blessed to assist the Kapa‘a Clubhouse as a licensed professional architect, and I hope, as a former member, to inspire keiki to set their goals high, go out and get good experiences, and then come back and make a difference in the community.”

Kahu Jade Waialeale-Battad conducted the blessing, followed by the untying of the maile lei and live music by the Breeze’s of Makani Entertainment.