my new favorite place: the Kroc Center

At the beginning of February, a new community center opened up in Kapolei called the Ray and Joan Kroc Center Hawaii. It's been a great thing for the so-called "future second city" because it provides a safe place for families to enjoy. The Kroc Center is a total of 15-acres with 200,000 square feet of multipurpose facilities. It's the largest community center of its kind in Hawaii. And for me the best part about it is that it's five minutes away from my house! :)


I actually wrote an article about it in the Kalamalama for this past issue. It's got a lot more than a regular community center, like a 14,000-square-foot health and wellness center with workout equipment and facilities for individual and group fitness; a 14,000-square-foot athletic center with a NCAA-regulation gym; an aquatic center with a competition pool and a leisure pool with giant water slides; a 3-acre outdoor park for sports and recreation and a 48-bed dormitory for traveling teams or overnight conferences. The center also includes a 500-seat worship and performing arts center, an early education center for up to 120 preschool students, an art studio, a game room, party cabanas, a catering kitchen, and a 720-seat banquet, conference or meeting room.

Ray and Joan Kroc left much of their estate to the Salvation Army, which helped fund this $133 million project. Kroc Center Hawaii is a possibility because of their $110 million Kroc grant and the community raising $23 million as well. And yes it seems like a lot of money but you guys should see this place! It's definitely worth it. 

Membership rates are a bit pricey at $59 per month for an individual but families of five or less can become members for $99 per month. My family just joined in March and we've been taking advantage of that membership as much as possible. But people without memberships can also get a day pass for $14. My boyfriend can't wait for spring break so he can spend a whole day there. 

So far I've only worked out in their health and wellness center, but my mom has been going to classes like power sculpt and zumba along with working out in the center as well. My dad and brother use the brand new gym to play basketball and then work out too. And unlike most community centers, the showers are the best part! Clean, hot and segregated! My parents love that I shower there to save them heating and water costs. 

I'm just very excited to start getting in shape again, slowly. My legs currently feel like jello from running two miles, two days in a row. It's an accomplishment for me, but the beasts in there do two miles in like two minutes. That's exaggerating but you get it. Anyways, this is becoming very very long, so I'll just show you some pictures I took of the place. :)

The Health & Wellness Center 

The cafe at the entrance of the Kroc Center serves coffee, drinks, snacks and plate lunches prepared by the executive sous chef, a.k.a. my uncle. :)

Kiddie pool! 

The Lazy River!

Two water slides! I can't wait to ride them!