KOLOA — Jacob “Smilie” Punzal has been volunteering at Koloa School for the past six years, so who better to lead their year-end celebration.
The owner of Au‘rai Fitness in Lihue who participates in nearly all the island fun runs is all smiles when it comes to making health and wellness fun, so that’s what he does. He has a way of getting those around him to give things their very best.
For instance, he filled up more than 400 water balloons so every student and teacher would have a balloon to toss in the air.
The celebration started with school warmups with stretching, dancing and movement to get the students’ and teachers’ hearts pumping.
Next, Punzal and others passed out the balloons to everyone and did a countdown before the first-ever Koloa School group water balloon toss.
The color run obstacle course was led by Principal Leila Kobayashi. The course included big tire jumps, water balloons and water squirters, crawling, pulling big tires, color powdering, running around the campus.
“Tons of laughter and end-of-the-school-year fun,” Punzal said.
He said his older son Po’okela Punzal graduated from the fifth grade and is looking forward to attending Chiefess Middle School in the fall.
His second son, Ka’eo Punzal, will be attending Koloa School as a fifth grader.
After Ka’eo graduates, his dad plans to continue volunteering at Koloa School. He lives a short drive away.
“I truly appreciate all that the teachers and staff do for my two sons and I also enjoy seeing all the kids smiling and saying next year again, ‘Coach Uncle Smilie!’” he said.
