Max Holloway and Boys & Girls Club of Hawaii Unveil New Fitness Center
Earlier this month, we had the opportunity to help former UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway and the Boys & Girls Club of Hawaii (BGCH) bless the Max Holloway Fitness Center, the first UFC-branded gym in any Boys & Girls Club worldwide. Holloway, a native of the area with deep ties to the Clubhouse and community, played a key role in bringing the fitness center to life with his generous initial $60,000 donation in partnership with UFC.
“I’m blessed to have the opportunity to give back to my community in a big way in opening the first-ever UFC fitness gym in any Boys & Girls Club anywhere,” said Max Holloway, former UFC featherweight champion and Health and Fitness Ambassador for the Boys & Girls Club of Hawaii. “I’m pretty excited, and being the Health and Fitness Ambassador is a huge deal. Every time I have the opportunity to coach, I love it, and to watch someone grow is pretty amazing.”
At the event, BGCH officially honored Holloway as the organization’s first Health and Fitness Ambassador. In this capacity, Holloway will inspire and motivate 16,000 youth across nine Clubhouses through his passion for physical fitness and mental resilience, as well as raise awareness and funds for BGCH. The collaboration aims to instill discipline, self-confidence, and healthy living by utilizing his own journey as an example of perseverance.
“Seeing a champion who grew up here shows our kids their potential is limitless, regardless of their background,” said Paddy Kauhane, president and CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of Hawaii. “Max’s vision is an investment in the future for our keiki and allows us to continue equipping them with the resources they need to lead healthy, fulfilling lives.”
The grand opening featured a native Hawaiian blessing by Kahu Kordell Kekoa. Following the blessing, Holloway led BGCH members through a fitness lesson in the brand-new facility, where they learned a series of self-defense drills, practicing hand-eye coordination and punching on the new bags, and the importance of team-building.
“Max’s support empowers our keiki to take charge of their well-being,” said Kristle Jury-Hale, Director of the Boys & Girls Club of Hawaii Waianae Clubhouse. “Inspiring role models like Max show our kids that great futures are possible.”
Bennet Group Director Pono Suganuma and Account Executive Devon Bedoya worked behind the scenes, capturing content and helping local media cover the story. As a result of their efforts, several media outlets in Hawai‘i and across the nation, like Hawaiʻi News Now KHON2, KITV4, Spectrum News and others, shared stories, reaching more than 5.7 million viewers and readers.