HONOLULU (KHON2) — A gift honors the Ai family legacy with a full circle moment for the Nuʻuanu YMCA.
The YMCA of Honolulu announced on Aug. 26 a $3 million gift from the David C. Ai Charitable Trust to support the reimagining of the Nuʻuanu YMCA.
“Over 100 years ago, my grandfather, CK Ai, helped start this YMCA. His vision and commitment laid the foundation for a place where people from across all backgrounds can come together,” said Steven Ai of David C. Ai Charitable Trust. “My father continued that legacy by contributing his time, resources, and finally creating a charitable trust which will help build a YMCA that supports a mission for years to come.”
To honor the commitment of the Ai family to the YMCA, the facility will be renamed The Ai Nuʻuanu YMCA.
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The redevelopment plan includes a new multi-story facility that will include affordable housing, health services, wellness spaces, high-tech multipurpose rooms, early learning and more.
“This transformational gift is about more than a new facility—it’s about people,” said Lisa Ontai, Interim President & CEO of the YMCA of Honolulu. “The Ai family’s generosity has always been about opening doors of opportunity. It ensures that the reimagined Ai Nuʻuanu YMCA will be a place of belonging that nurtures body, mind, and spirit while extending the Y’s reach far beyond these walls. Today, the YMCA already serves families in more than 115 program and service sites across Oʻahu. With this gift, the inclusive community C.K. Ai envisioned more than a century ago will continue to grow stronger for generations to come.”
The reimagined Nuʻuanu YMCA will be developed in two phases. Phase 1 will focus on the new Nuʻuanu YMCA, with phase 2 bringing affordable housing to the site.