Hawai'i Academy

Ms Paris Macabeo Spahn, Interim Department Chair
Over 85 percent of the students in Hawaii Academy take classes through this department. Soon this department will be divided into four programs: (1) Movement Education (1-hr classes for Parent-tots and Preschoolers; generally ages 1-5); (2) Essential Skills (for beginner (1-hr) and intermediate (2-hrs) students; previously in separate programs for gymnastics and trampoline; generally ages 6-13); (3) Fitness & Gymnastics (recreation 2-hr classes for all ages in general fitness, artistic gymnastics, trampoline, tumbling, and dance; for teens, adults, and seniors); and (4) Special Education (for students challenged physically, mentally, socially, economically, etc.).

Movement Education (ages 1-5 yrs; Mr Michael Nakashima, Program Head)
Our ME program builds confidence and appreciation of fitness and sports in young children. Basic locomotor skills, balance, coordination, and social interaction are taught in a positive and encouraging manner. The equipment and events are modified to accommodate smaller bodies and shorter attention spans. Although students may advance on an accelerated schedule based on ability, the classes are generally grouped by age of the students. Our classes are called Parent-Tot (1-3yrs), Preschool (3-5yrs; PS345, PS34, PS45), and PS/Beg (for ages about 4-8yrs before they are split to a PS class and a Beg class). Our Outreach Program takes equipment and instruction to local schools.

Beginners (ages 6 yrs and over)
Our recreational beginners classes are designed to provide fun, safe, effective, and efficient instruction that promotes self-esteem for students of all ages. These are one-hour classes to train essential fundamental skills including running, jumping, landing, rolling, cartwheeling, climbing, dropping, twisting, and maneuvers in different body positions (e.g., tuck, pike, straight, arched). We recommend that students take more than one class per week to advance faster. The curriculum is divided into units, each with required skill proficiencies. After completing all required skills the student is promoted to the intermediate level. Our curriculum will eventually include instruction in fundamentals of the human sciences (anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, fitness, and nutrition).

Intermediates (ages 6 yrs and over)
These two hour classes are an extension of the beginner classes to become more skilled at essential maneurvers and to acquire more advanced skills so that the student can either remain in two hour recreation classes (i.e., Advanced Rec, Teen GymFit, Adult FitGym, and Senior FlexFit) or advance to three hour team training practices. Like with the beginner classes, this program is based on units, each with required skill proficiencies that extend from novice through advanced levels. In addition to two hour intermediate classes, students may create two hour classes by taking two one hour classes in series.

Flexibility, Fitness & Gymnastics for ALL Ages
Gymnastics is one of the best ways to keep you fit and motivated at the same time. It also provides developmental training for other sports and everyday activities. We feature classes for TEENS (GymFit), ADULTS (FitGym), and SENIORS (FlexFit, and personal training based on assessments and exercise prescription.

The Surgeon Generals' Report (1996) warns that adults in the United States are inactive: 25% are totally sedentary and nearly 60% fail to obtain sufficient amounts of regular activity needed to reduce their risk of premature morbidity and mortality.

Further, inactivity increases with age. By age 75, about one in three men and one in two women engage in NO physical activity. As more individuals live longer, it is imperative to determine the extent and mechanism by which exercise and physical activity, especially during adulthood, can improve health, functional capacity, quality of life, and the ability to live independently for those over 70 years of age.

The Senior FlexFit Program is based on classes involving group and individual exercises for flexibility, strength, balance, safe falling, and aerobic conditioning. Classes are 90 to 120 minutes in length and involve exercise for improving flexibility and joint range of motion, cardiovascular fitness, safe falling, balance, and dynamic daily living. The classes are designed to promote daily exercise and serve as a weekly demonstration of continual progress toward functional independence, health, and happiness.

Teens (13-18 yrs)

Classes Integrated with Students from All Age Groups

Adults (19-49 yrs)
Tue 7:30-9:30/10p (Dr Mah)
Thu 7:30-9:30/10p (Dr Mah)

Classes Integrated with Students from All Age Groups

Seniors (50-99+ yrs)
Mon 10:15-11:45a (Mr Mike Nakashima, Ms Joan Kufferath, Ms Jeanie Ajitome, & Dr Max Vercruyssen)
Tue 12:15-1:45p (Mr Mike Nakashima, & Dr Max Vercruyssen)

Special Education (Mr Mike Nakashima, Program Head)
These are group classes in Gymnastics/Trampoline/Fitness for those challenged developmentally or in some other way. Each student must be accompanied by an aid/TA. Wed & Fri 3-4p.

Recreation class schedules and team training schedules are posted in the gym and distributed when changes are made.

Begin with a free trial lesson and then sign up for lessons at any time (we prorate the month you start). The start-up fee is called our membership fee and it is $60, renewable on the anniversary of your starting (initial payment can be spread over two months if necessary, but Academy T-shirt isn't issued until membership is paid). Tuition is then charged to you until you give us two weeks notice of cancellation. Payment is due on the the first day or at the first class meeting of each month. See our Tuition Tables.

Phone: +1.808.842.5642
Fax: +1.808.841.2564
info@HawaiiAcademy.com