Civilian Conservation Corps Camp in Kokeʻe State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Civilian Conservation Corps Camp in Koke'e State Park
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 CCC Camp in Koke'e State Park
Location in Hawaii
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| Location | Hawaii Route 550, Waimea, Kauai |
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| NRHP reference No. | 96001504 |
| Added to NRHP | December 20, 1996 |
The Civilian Conservation Corps Camp in Koke'e State Park is a special historical site. It is located on the island of Kauai in Hawaii. This camp was built way back in 1935. It was part of a big government program that helped young men find jobs during a tough time in history.
A cool fact about its construction is how the wood was treated. The lumber was floated in saltwater to the shore. This saltwater soak actually helped protect the wood from termites! The camp was used for managing forests for many years. However, a big storm called Hurricane Iwa damaged it in 1982. Later, a group called Hui O Laka helped restore it. Today, you can visit this historic camp. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places listings in Hawaii in 1996.
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A Look Back: The Camp's History
This camp was one of five built in Hawaii by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). The CCC was a program started by President Franklin D. Roosevelt during the New Deal. This program gave jobs to young men across the country. They worked on important projects, like building parks and managing forests.
The Koke'e camp is the only one of the original five that is still in a natural setting. The other camps were taken over by towns as they grew. The CCC workers at Koke'e did a lot for the forests. They built trails, roads, and fences. They also planted over a million trees on Kauai! These young men also helped fight forest fires. They even worked to remove unwanted wild animals and collected tree seeds. The Koke'e CCC also built another camp nearby at Waialae Cabin.
What Happened After the CCC?
The CCC program ended in 1943. After that, the camp was used by the military during World War II. From 1966 to 1973, another program called the Job Corps used the camp. They also helped with forest management. After them, the Youth Conservation Corps took over for a while. Sadly, the camp was left empty after Hurricane Iwa hit in 1982.
Bringing the Camp Back to Life
Today, the camp is run by a local group called Hui O Laka. This group works to protect and improve Koke'e. In 1990, the Hawaii State Legislature gave Hui O Laka money to start fixing up the camp. Members of Hui O Laka and many volunteers have worked hard to restore and maintain the camp.
There are many original buildings and structures at the camp. When it was first built, the lumber couldn't be lifted directly onto the shore. This was because the water was too shallow at Port Allen. So, the lumber was floated in the saltwater instead. This saltwater bath was actually a good thing! It gave the wood a natural protection against termites. That's why the wood was still in great shape when the camp became a historic site in 1996.
Buildings at the Camp
The camp has several important buildings that are part of its history. These buildings show what life was like for the young men who worked here.
- Executive building: This building is used for people staying overnight.
- Camp administration building: This building now serves as the Natural History Museum.
- Mess hall: This is where the workers ate their meals.
- "A" Barracks and "B" Barracks: These were dorms where the young men lived.
- "C" Barracks
- Foremen cabin: This was a smaller cabin for the supervisors.
- Storage buildings: These include Building 9, a supply room, and a cooler room.
- Gas house: This building was once used as a garage.
- Building 14: A small wooden building.
- Building 16: This building used to be a garage and workshop.
- Ranger's cabin: This cabin was built even earlier, in 1930.
- Building "I": This was the old laundry room.
Some buildings, like the Recreation Lodge, were destroyed by Hurricane Iwa. Others, like the cook's house, were taken down later.
Visiting the Camp
If you want to stay overnight at the camp, you need to make a reservation. Stays are mostly for volunteers with Hui O Laka or researchers. You need to pay a fee in advance. Sometimes, the camp can also be used for large group events, but you need to get approval first.
