Contemplative Education Center (CEC)

Program Space Rental Information

Land Activities

Low Ropes Challenge Course

Bond Historic District

History

Contemplative Education Center

New Moon Foundation plans to use a portion of the property in and adjacent to the Bond Historic District in North Kohala for a Contemplative Education Center (CEC). The CEC campus will include adaptive re-use of the historic Kohala Girls' School (KGS), built in 1874 by missionary Elias Bond to provide educational and spiritual sustenance for members of the community. The legacy of the KGS provides an ideal setting for NMF's vision. The CEC campus will offer single and multi-day programs, meeting, conference and special event space, focusing on healing encounters, leadership, land stewardship, and community needs for up to 80 residential and 20 day guests. The Contemplative Education Center, along with the vast acreage NMF stewards, will play an essential role in supporting New Moon Foundation's mission to serve its community and the world at large.

The CEC campus plans are in harmony with historic preservation efforts at the former Girls' School, and New Moon Foundation has taken great effort to preserve the building exteriors and the interior of the Dining Hall, structural elements that have maintained their historic integrity throughout the various uses of the buildings over the past century. There are seven buildings that make up the CEC campus. These include a three story dormitory, an infirmary, a bake house, a chapel, three small residential buildings, and the dining hall.

Prior to the NMF acquisition in 1999, the KGS buildings received little maintenance and were deteriorating rapidly. NMF has been working with historic architects and contractors, in consultation with the State Historic Preservation Division (SHPD), to restore and renovate the structures, thus far spending over $1.3 M to stabilize the buildings. We are happy to report that no damage was sustained by any of the campus buildings due to the 2006 earthquake.

New Moon Foundation received its Special Permit for Use in May 2006, and is preparing to submit a building permit for the renovation of the KGS interiors, Welcome Center and Administrative buildings. We will also have 'tentalow' structures for a more rustic camping experience within our organic orchards. The anticipated opening date of the CEC campus is 2009. Currently, two indoor spaces of the CEC are available for program use. Please see the section 'Program Space Rental Information' for booking information.