Keiki and keiki-at-heart are having a blast exploring the world of fitness and fun during the inaugural West Hawaii Fitness Fair in Kailua-Kona. ADVERTISING Keiki and keiki-at-heart are having a blast exploring the world of fitness and fun during the
Keiki and keiki-at-heart are having a blast exploring the world of fitness and fun during the inaugural West Hawaii Fitness Fair in Kailua-Kona.
The free fair kicked off Monday with a variety of activities led by fitness instructors and coaches from around the Kailua-Kona area. The fitness fun continued Tuesday with events ranging from gymnastics to pickleball, and table tennis to TRX suspension training.
The public is invited to join the weeklong program from 3 to 6 p.m. each day through Friday at the Old Kona Airport Park baseball field. A variety of classes is offered each day ranging from yoga to cycling to kickboxing classes. All classes and activities are free of charge. Registration is open and all are encouraged to join in on the fun and fitness.
The fair is sponsored by local businesses, organizations and Hawaii County.
“It was Coach David Bowden’s dream to put this together. The county supported it and now we are here,” Hawaii County representative Sissie Pittullo said. “This is the inaugural fitness fair and we hope to make this an annual event.”
“The goal is to bring the community to a healthier lifestyle, giving them the opportunity to try different ways of or how to get a healthy life,” Pacific Island Fitness fitness instructor Andrea Bess said. “That’s why it’s open to the public. People of any age and fitness level are welcome.”
In conjunction with the West Hawaii Fitness Fair, Bowden, a Florida Track and Field Hall of Fame member, is leading a Performance Speed Enhancement Camp. Geared toward keiki, the camp teaches fundamentals of running as well as techniques and drills to increase performance. The camp continues from 2 to 6 p.m. today and Thursday.
“(What I like most about camp is) it’s a chance to stay active, see these other guys, and see these stars,” Trajan Sata-Ellis, 12, said, referring to International Boxing Hall of Fame member Earnie Shavers and Pro Football Hall of Fame member Rayfield Wright.
Shavers, “The Hardest Punching Heavyweight in History,” is here to help children get involved in sports.
“When I was a kid, many people helped me. I want to do the same and give back to the kids,” Shavers said.
The fair concludes Friday with a fitness festival that will include healthy snacks, activity booths, exhibitions and performances. To wrap things up, highlights from the fair will be shown followed by a family-friendly movie at sunset.
For more information call Pittullo at 323-4703.
