Over the last year of COVID I’ve noticed a big increase in the health-consciousness in our community. We have realized that while we cannot always control how the pandemic affects our jobs, schools and social lives, but we can choose to pay attention to our health. We have control over our day-to-day decisions regarding exercise, nutrition and mindfulness. I recently decided to start looking around locally for ways to support my health. I think it’s so much better to keep money in our local economy when possible. After all, what goes around comes around. So I spoke with a few local business owners about what they do, and how they’ve adapted during the last 10 months. They all have one thing in common: their missions involve promoting health and wellness.
Russell’s (previously
Eat Healthy Kaua‘i)
PJ Nagaya already has quite the reputation among health foodies for owning one of the only two fully-plant- based restaurants on the island. I am personally obsessed with the house-made peanut sauce, which I can eat jars of. The menu does not disappoint. Staying open has had its challenges, though, says PJ.
What obstacles have you had to work through to keep serving the community?
“We have been really slow and it has been difficult to stay afloat. We’ve had to run a tight ship to save money in payroll and avoid under- and overstocking. The last thing we want to do is to waste food.”
What changes have taken place during the pandemic?
“We want to start capturing new customers that are not vegan, so we decided to shift our focus a bit. We recently started offering plant-based comfort foods that are appetizing, satisfying and easy on the wallet. We created a whole new page on our menu offering pupus and small plates at a lower price point. We also changed the name from Eat Healthy Kaua‘i to Russell’s to honor my late dog. The name change creates a warmer, more welcoming feel.”
What has driven you as a business owner to keep your doors open?
“It is important for all of us, especially these days, to eat healthier. And if we can eat healthier without compromising the flavor, it’s a win-win. I wanted to do whatever it took to reopen and stay open to serve the community, and I hope that our plant-based comfort food helps them to think about food in a new way.”
Sol Remedies
Kelsy Burch, owner of Sol Remedies, is a certified herbalist and birth doula. She was trained under the renowned herbalist Rosemary Gladstar in California, as well as at the Herb Pharm Herbiculture program in Oregon. I am a personal fan of Sol Remedies’ products, and if you open my pantry you’ll find the teas, tinctures and Holy Cacao. I asked her to speak with me because I have been really impressed with her company’s growth during the pandemic. I’ve seen her products appearing on shelves in more retail locations every month, and witnessed her increased efforts to meet the growing demand. Our interview went as follows:
Can you explain to the community what Sol Remedies is, and how it started?
“I’m deeply passionate about herbalism because I have been sick and unhealthy myself, and I know how good it feels to bring yourself back. My passions led me to start Sol Remedies in 2014, birthed from a desire to help heal people with organic, natural and time-honored methods. Sol Remedies products are handcrafted in small batches, 100% organic, crystal infused and cured for six months, compared to the standard curing process of four weeks, making our creations extra-potent. Our offerings are crafted here on the beautiful, healing island of Kaua‘i, and always imbued with love and intention. In fact, I grow a lot of the herbs myself!”
Have you noticed growth or change in demand during the pandemic?
“I’ve actually experienced more growth during COVID. I really saw the community come together to support one another and support their health on a whole new level. People that hadn’t been interested in natural medicine were all of a sudden reaching for consultations and asking for support. To see that you can support and be supported by your community despite being in a pandemic has been so heartwarming.”
Kaua‘i Athletic Club
I wanted to speak with Josh Nations, owner of both Kaua‘i Athletic Club locations, because running a fitness facility during these times cannot be easy. With mandates changing constantly and a personal connection to so many in the community, I can imagine the pressure to make everyone happy is intense. If you have been to either club recently, you know that his team is doing a great job doing just that.
What has driven you to remain open as much as possible despite the challenges?
“Our mission at KAC is the same now as it was pre-pandemic: to provide well-equipped, clean fitness facilities for Kaua‘i residents staffed by knowledgeable front-line staff, group fitness instructors and personal trainers. As we
continue to manage the challenges of this pandemic, we feel we must stay open and available to our members. Regular exercise is essential for all of us to stay strong and healthy and manage stress.”
What changes have taken place as of late?
“From a practical standpoint, the pandemic has required us to review all of our operational procedures and reinforce daily the safety and sanitation mandates required by our local and state governments. That being said, we remain committed to being a hub for social connection, and our members have been very appreciative of the extra steps we have taken to keep everyone safe. I’d like to give a special shout out to our senior members who continue to come masked and ready to go. They haven’t missed a beat!”
Why is it important for people to have support geared around health and wellness right now?
“It may sound like a cliché, but we are better and stronger together, and committing to regular fitness routines will help the collective Kaua‘i community get to the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel with our health intact!”
Raw Aloha
Tyler Williams is the owner of Raw Aloha. He’s been busy creating new products, making improvements and delivering all over the island, and his work ethic shows in the product. It’s quite possible he’s in a tree somewhere as you read this!
What is Raw Aloha, and what’s your mission?
“Raw Aloha creates 100% raw coconut kefir and other living-foods products, using locally-grown ingredients. I’m stoked to make our coconut kefir for people. I’m especially motivated by our customers’ feedback and health-improvement testimonials. Our mission is to help heal people’s guts while creating opportunities for local farmers to invest in coconut as a viable food crop.”
Have you seen growth since March 2020?
“We’ve actually noticed steady growth throughout this time, adding delivery in place of farmers’ markets has actually led to more customers and more business and greatly compensated for the small loss from tourism.”
Can you think of any funny moments while growing your business?
“In the beginning, while learning to ferment our coconut kefir just right, we had plenty of late-night explosions of kefir to the face, all over the ceiling and surrounding areas!”
Island RIDE Kaua‘i
Autumn Wade-Brodigan is the owner of Island RIDE Kaua‘i, the island’s only dedicated indoor cycling studio. The first time I stepped into the studio, I could feel the immensely welcoming energy that she and her husband Brodi exude. I wondered how they manage to keep their doors open and the energy high. Well, as I learned in this interview, they have found creative ways to make it work while remaining playful and positive along the way.
What challenges have you overcome during the pandemic?
Where do I even begin? The pandemic has brought so many challenges, from being completely shut down for 70 days, to being limited to the number of people in classes, to maintaining social distancing, to wearing masks while we ride. When we had to close down in mid-March, I quickly rented out several bikes and started teaching classes from home via Zoom. Our community really stepped up. If it wasn’t for our bike renters we wouldn’t have been able to continue to pay the studio rent. My husband Brodi and I took a bike home and while we were all under the stay-in-place order the two of us taught a combined total of 10 classes per week. It’s honestly what got us through that time. We needed our riders just as much as they needed us, and we still do.
What growth has taken place during this time?
“When we first opened the studio back in April 2017 we always had the intention to offer classes to people on an on-demand or at-home basis. The pandemic forced us to explore both options, and it has been way better than I expected! We still have a few bikes rented out, some have purchased bikes from us, and those riders still join our classes from home here on Kaua‘i and from the mainland.
What’s the silliest thing you’ve ever done during a class?
We NEVER take ourselves too seriously. After all, we are riding a bike that literally goes nowhere….haha! We love celebrating birthdays at Island RIDE, and I encourage our riders to give me a list of their favorite songs if they plan to ride with us on their birthday. One of our birthday riders asked me to include a few songs by Marshmello. When I walked into the room to start class, the riders in the front row were all wearing Marshmello masks, and they bought one for me too!! So, of course, I had to teach wearing the mask for a few songs. And I still break it out every once in a while.”
It comes around
My personal takeaway after hearing from these business owners is that when we support a local business, we are supporting each other. I suggest checking out some of the Kaua‘i community Facebook groups and supporting local markets and health fairs when you are looking for a healthy service or product. At a time when investing in our health is of utmost importance, let’s put our dollars in small businesses here that are making it their mission to have a healthy impact.
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Cynthia Fowler is a certified personal trainer (NASM), corrective exercise specialist (NASM), registered vinyasa yoga teacher (RYT 200), certified Enhance fitness teacher, group exercise instructor (TRX, Indoor cycling, HIIT, SMR, etc), owner of FoundationUp Fitness, blogger, and health coach. She can be contacted through her website at foundationupfitness.com or directly at Cynthia@fullyfreely.com.
No. I haven’t noticed any changes. It depends on what you’re looking at. If you’re looking at finances, basically stayed the same. If you’re looking at how well you are taking care of yourself, yes. Improvement. So it all comes down to which of these are important to you. If you say finances, then not a jinx into making this more worth while and happening. But if you said taking care of yourself is important, then getting a new job is the by product to taking care of yourself. And it is well worth the effort. Too.
No. I haven’t noticed any changes. It depends on what you’re looking at. If you’re looking at finances, basically stayed the same. If you’re looking at how well you are taking care of yourself, yes. Improvement. So it all comes down to which of these are important to you. If you say finances, then not a jinx into making this more worth while and happening. But if you said taking care of yourself is important, then getting a new job is the by product to taking care of yourself. And it is well worth the effort. Too. No. I haven’t noticed any changes. It depends on what you’re looking at. If you’re looking at finances, basically stayed the same. If you’re looking at how well you are taking care of yourself, yes. Improvement. So it all comes down to which of these are important to you. If you say finances, then not a jinx into making this more worth while and happening. But if you said taking care of yourself is important, then getting a new job is the by product to taking care of yourself. And it is well worth the effort. Too.
Russell’s is awesome, has always been a great place to eat and is now even better with the comfort food on the menu. If you haven’t tried the burgers you are missing out! Just check out his hours before you go to make sure he is open when you get there, you won’t be disappointed. And if you are in Koloa, check out Leahi Health, more awesome vegan food!!
Thanks Doug, you are SO right! Love this 🙂