Girl Scouts of Hawaii leaders and troops hosted nearly 90 guests for a Distinguished Visitors Day on Aug. 17 to showcase the Innovative Readiness Training project team’s repairs to the Girl Scouts of Hawaii’s Camp Kilohana on Hawaii Island.
IRT is a collaborative program that leverages military contributions and community resources to multiply value and cost savings for participants.
Communities typically provide materials and basic services, while military units contribute personnel and training resources.
IRT missions produce mission-ready forces, civil-military partnerships and stronger communities.
Throughout five two-week rotations, over 200 soldiers from the Air Force, Air National Guard, Army and Marine Reserve units used their skills to update the cabins and facilities at Camp Kilohana.
“The IRT program has allowed us to save an estimated $850,000 on repairs to Camp Kilohana,” said GSH Interim CEO Michele Saito. “Thanks to the Department of Defense and the amazing work of members from the U.S. Military, our camp facilities are better than ever before. We now have a newly-fixed campsite that will benefit Girl Scouts throughout the Hawaii Island community as well as the entire state.”
Distinguished visitors in attendance included Col. Koklonaris (IRT deputy director), CMSgt. Kenneth Bennett (Air Force), Lt. Col. Steven Johnson (Air Force), Chief David Abildgaard (Air National Guard/Air Force) and Col. Leah Boling (Air National Guard Chaplain Corps). The day began with a project briefing at the Kona Elks Lodge, followed by a tour and lunch at Camp Kilohana.
The 6.83-acre camp is located on Saddle Road, 10 miles from the Waimea side junction and 44 miles from Hilo.
At an elevation of 6,000 feet, this site experiences a variety of weather conditions and is a perfect spot for meetings, retreats, stargazing or studying nature.
For more information on GSH’s camping sites, visit www.gshawaii.org/en/stem-center/Camp.html.