The Hawaii Department of Health, Health Promotion and Education Branch initiated its Fitness Promotion Project in February 1994. The Project’s overall goal is to increase physical activity of Hawaii residents. Neighbor Island coalitions were organized to address specific local needs with attention to increasing availability/access to low cost/no cost fitness resources, education, and programs.

Kauai’s “Get Fit Kaua’i” coalition, originally called "The Garden Isle Fitness Taskforce" (G.I.F.T) was formed in 1994. Some of the early achievements of the coalition include: organizing senior fitness walks at Kukui Grove and Coconut Marketplace; supporting an in-line skating club; health fairs; exercise clinics for senior groups, island wide fitness surveys; advocacy for bike paths and sidewalks; and coordination with the YMCA/Girl Scouts to provide children’s sports programs. The last two years (2001-2002) accomplishments are listed below.

Media, Marketing and Awareness Campaign:

1. Seniors fitness video appeared on Ho'ike several times and was made available to the seniors of Kauai.
2. Weekly articles in the Garden Island Newspaper for 2 years.
3. Created a Health Page in the G.I. which featured all 3 coalitions.
4. Physical activity and nutrition PSA's were heard on KONG and KKCR (and still are).
5. An excellent web site has been developed by community member Dexter Sear
6. Ho'ike Community Television supported all our programs by airing educational talks and promotions such as Kauai's Great Weigh Out and the Me Too program.
7. Farm Fair booth was a terrific marketing tool as well as a great venue to conduct a physical activity and nutrition survey.
8. Health Fairs and our very special Anahola Healthy Fun Night...coming up to 3 years in a row with over 100 people attending each.
9. A needs assessment was done at the Farm Fair 2002 and at Kukui Grove Shopping Center to create a great base line. The same survey will be conducted at the same time and place next year.

1. Teen Weight Training programs were developed by partnering with Kauai Gym.
2. More classes are being offered in the Kapaa Community; partnering with the County of Kauai, Parks and Rec, Get Fit Kauai and Ho'ola.
3. A community weight room is being planned for Kapaa Neighborhood Center... partners, GFK and Parks and Rec.
4. Hiking and Outdoor program has been extremely successful under the direction of GFK community member, Dexter Sear
5. Women's Wellness Retreat; 3rd annual coming up this year; partners, Ho'ola, Wilcox Health, GFK
6. Kauai's Great Weigh Out (2nd year)
7. Me Too program
8. Weigh Out Too, A Healthy You; follow-up program to Kauai's Great Weigh Out

1. NYSP (National Youth Sports Program). GFK partnered with the County to provide physical activity and nutritional educational services to the students.
2. Summer Fun. GFK partnering with the County again provided physical activity and nutrition education to over 600 children between the ages of 6 - 11.
3. At present, GFK is partnering with the Girls and Boys Club to provide monthly hikes for children of Kauai. A healthy lunch will be provided on each hike.
4. D.O.E. GFK is working with D.O.E. to provide a new program in schools called "Chair-ish your body". Starting in Elementary schools that do not offer P.E. on a regular basis.