In 1931, Kokokahi added an amphitheater. Various missionary families contributed to Kokokahi for the creation of Kauhale or missionary cottages during the depths of the depression.

In 1920, the YWCA  conducted the Halekipa (House of Welcome) program for a month in the summer to give camping experiences to students. This provided opportunities for “getting together in the out-of-doors away from school rooms and Y.W.C.A. buldings.”

Kokokahi opened in 1927 in a valley of “41 verdant acres on Windward O'ahu with an 800-foot frontage on Kaneohe Bay.” It was based on the idea of creating “a combined conference, camp and vacation home area, shared by Christian of all races” – an idea put forth by Dr. Theodore Richards, originally from Montclair, NJ.