PUHI — Saturday marked a month for Au Rai Fitness in its location in the Puhi Industrial Park. “This is your stable area,” said Kahu Kauilani Kahalekai, drawing subdued laughter from the audience at the blessing of Au Rai Fitness.
PUHI — Saturday marked a month for Au Rai Fitness in its location in the Puhi Industrial Park.
“This is your stable area,” said Kahu Kauilani Kahalekai, drawing subdued laughter from the audience at the blessing of Au Rai Fitness. “You’re not going to move anywhere else?”
Jacob “Smilie” Punzal, head of the fitness center, said Saturday marked a month Au Rai has been in the Puhi Industrial Center location.
“We are exactly 10 months since we opened the doors,” Punzal said, his uncle, Onio, and other Au Rai members doing touch-ups on the center. “In 10 months, we’ve moved five times. In two months, we will be exactly one year old. I think this is our home.”
With more than a hundred members on the roster ranging in age from 14 to 78, Punzal said Au Rai Fitness focuses on functional living on the outside and within.
“It’s not fitness training, it’s au rai,” Punzal said. “Keep it flowing.”
The concept of active and healthy lifestyle permeates the facility, which has TRX Suspension at the center of its routines.
The healthy atmosphere extends beyond the self as Punzal pointed out a children’s area featuring not only video to entertain keiki, but nubs on the wall where children can try wall climbing.
“This is a good positive environment,” said Erin Castillo, enjoying the benefits of Au Rai for the past two months. “I came here first as a birthday present, and I’ve been back since.”
Castillo was working on the Au Rai “Stairs of Positivity” featuring words culled from the membership and serving as motivational prompts for the Au Rai people.
Rates are structured to accomodate students, teachers and the general public, including a special drop-in rate of $5.
“There is even a special rate for couples in love,” Punzal said. “Smells are free.”
The healthy and active lifestyle of Au Rai Fitness overflows beyond the individual as its members participate in community active lifestyle events as well.
“We had more than 70 members participating in the recent rainbow-hued run benefiting the Kapaa Middle School choir and ukulele band,” Punzal said. “We want to participate in the Color for Cancer event, Saturday, but have been too busy with trying to open this center.”
Punzal said Au Rai members have been working up to the Warrior Dash and the Spartan Race, both on Oahu, as well as Kauai events such as the Kauai Marathon.
“We try to support all healthy lifestyle events,” Punzal said. “Following the blessing, we’ll be having the circuit challenge for all the members who have been working out.”
The circuit challenge includes the sledgehammer, tire pull, rope climb, TRX Pull-Up, TRX Pendelum and tire jump. Punzal said each of the circuits helps individuals in their everyday life.
Info: auraifitness at Facebook.
