Community members are invited to attend a blessing ceremony at noon Friday, Sept. 25, 2026, for the newly renovated War Memorial Gymnasium in Wailuku. The blessing ceremony will take place ahead of the project’s full completion. Following the ceremony, the gymnasium will transition into a soft-opening period as finishing details are completed.

Mayor Richard Bissen and the County of Maui Department of Parks and Recreation will host the ceremony, which will mark a significant milestone in the three-year, $32.5 million renovation project.

“War Memorial Gymnasium has been a center of community sports and a place where our community has gathered for events for many years,” Mayor Bissen said. “These renovations will provide gym users with a more comfortable, contemporary facility, while also enhancing the gym’s ability to serve as a hurricane shelter when needed. This investment helps preserve an important community asset for generations to come.”

Built in 1962 at a cost of $700,000, War Memorial Gymnasium has undergone a comprehensive renovation that was originally budgeted for 2022. Blazy Construction completed the three-year project.

The renovations include:

• Enclosing the lobby and front restroom area.
• Reconstructing offices, locker rooms and restrooms to meet Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility requirements.
• Installing air conditioning and a fire sprinkler system throughout the facility.
• Refurbishing the gym’s interior, including new flooring, ceilings and enclosed windows, replacing the original open-air design.

The project also included structural and design improvements to meet Enhanced Hurricane Protection Area (EHPA) shelter standards. These improvements include reinforcement of the existing roof, walls and foundation; installation of a permanent emergency generator and cooling towers; and preparation for the future installation of a photovoltaic system.

As part of the hurricane shelter improvements, structural anchors were installed at 12 existing portable buildings on the neighboring Baldwin High School property.

For general Department of Parks and Recreation information, visit www.mauicounty.gov/parks.