Passion can come with a price.

Sometimes even the cost of a Hummer.

That’s how much having her own gym meant to Tita Ahuna.

The former Hawaii volleyball All-America honoree sold one of her favorite possessions — her Hummer — in order to see a dream realized. That of having a real home for TAVA Hawaii.

The Tita Ahuna Volleyball Academy Hawaii is a converted warehouse space on Waiakamilo Road in lower Kalihi. It’s large enough for one standard volleyball court — complete with the state-of-the-art Sport Court playing surface — with lots of room for learning and passion.

It reflects its owner: humble, no nonsense and lively.

"It’s everyone’s dream, to have their own gym," Ahuna said of the numerous volleyball clubs on Oahu. "But not everyone has the opportunity. Everyone is fighting for facilities and it’s hard to get them.

"This is perfect for us and what we want to do. It’s not just being able to do a lot of things other clubs can’t do, having a permanent place. We can do the clinics for the little kids to get them active."

To that end, Ahuna offers her TAVA Tots Clinic, an hourlong session for ages 4 to 9. Last Saturday, more than 80 youngsters showed up for the free "Taste of TAVA Tots" sessions that included an introduction to volleyball and the exercise fundamentals from the YMCA’s PLAY (Physical Learning Activities for Youth) program.

It’s all done to a background of upbeat music, with short intervals focusing on a certain skill or movement. For the youngest, they learn to attack a volleyball by hitting a stationary balloon.

"It’s a great opportunity for kids to learn in a fun way," said former Rainbow Wahine volleyball player Kelly Knowles, who helps out with the clinics. "It’s bringing the basic stuff to the kids in an unintimidating way. We’re down on our knees to talk to some of the them because you don’t want to be intimidating, you want to make it fun."

Ahuna’s younger brother Dan flies in from Kauai most weekends to help. The former UH football player said it was nothing new to see his sister be so passionate about things.

"This is fun for me," said Dan Ahuna, on staff at St. Catherine School in Kapaa. "We were raised around sports. You know, she was the one throwing (footballs) to me before anyone.

"We set targets for the kids. It’s not about winning and losing. It’s about reaching your potential, having a goal, keeping the right attitude and persevering."

Dezlyn Malama-Kalaluhi is too old for TAVA Tots, but the 13-year-old said she gets the same enjoyment while playing for the TAVA Hawaii club teams.

"I love playing volleyball and I love her — she’s my idol," Malama-Kalaluhi said of Ahuna, the captain of UH’s last NCAA title team in 1987. "I’ve learned a lot and I’d like to be just like (Wahine freshman hitter) Jane Croson.

"What’s really cool about having our own gym is not having to go different places. We used to get stuck in traffic a lot."

TAVA Hawaii used to alternate using the gyms at Palolo and Salt Lake district parks for practices. They still will because of the growing number of teams, currently 10, in 14-under through 18-under.

But most of the club’s activities are taking place at the new gym, which is in the same building at Ahuna’s online K-12 private hybrid school: Elite Element Academy. With players coming from Ewa Beach and Kaimuki and all parts in between, having a centrally located permanent spot is a huge plus.

No more trying to remember what day to go where or last-minute change in schedules.

"There’s parking, it’s safe, it’s well-lit, it’s perfect," said Ahuna’s mother, Reynette, an active part of TAVA Hawaii. "It’s been her dream for a long time.

"The kids can now say, ‘This is our house.’ "

It’s also about the community. TAVA Hawaii players are involved with community and beach clean-up projects and doing free clinics.

"It’s all part of giving back," Ahuna said. "This is going to help us do even more."

REC CENTER

SUP Tour starts at Sunset

Sunset Beach is the site for the Stand-Up World Tour’s first event of 2012, the Sunset Beach Pro on Feb. 4-14.

The event kicks off with a Na Kama Kai youth clinic and under-16 race and a women’s expression session on Feb. 4.

Sunset Beach is the first of six stops on the tour, which runs through Dec. 6. Other stops are France, Tahiti, California and Brazil; the site for the final has not been announced. Also, reigning world champion Kai Lenny and Dave Kalama will put on a SUP surf clinic Feb. 1-2 at Turtle Bay. For information, go to watermanleague.com.

Kanaka Ikaika season coming up

The Kanaka Ikaika Racing Association is dedicating its 13th season to the Hawaii Canoe Kayak Team, which has had its funding cut by USA Canoe Kayak.

A portion of the entry fees from the eight races will be donated to HCKT. The season opens Jan. 14 with a 5-mile short course from Waimanalo Beach Park to Kailua Beach Park and an 8-mile long course from Makai Pier to Kailua Beach Park. Categories are OC-1, OC-2, SS-1, SS-2 and stand-up and prone paddleboards. The overall points series has been renamed the HCKT Poai Puni Series.

For information, call 222-2484 or go to kanakaikaika.com.

Gymfest attracts international field

Top teams from Hawaii, the U.S. mainland, Japan, Australia and Canada are among those entered in the 36th Aloha Gymfest, Jan. 13-15, at Le Jardin Academy.

The event, hosted by Kokokahi Gymnastics Team, features gymnasts at the open and 4-10 levels. For information, call 235-6866 or go to kokokahigymnastics.com/aloha.htm.

Honolulu Challenger to be held in Kailua

January’s Honolulu Challenger won’t be in Honolulu.

The $50,000 USTA Satellite event, which attracts players ranked in the top 200 in the world, will move to Kailua Racquet Club. It will be played Jan. 22-29 — catching players on their way home from the Australian Open.

The tournament has a draw of 32 singles teams and 16 in doubles. Admission is free. Previous champs include Andy Roddick and James Blake. The tournament will also include a Schools Day, Junior Team Tennis Appreciation Day, high school clinic, Family Tennis Night and USTA Membership Appreciation Days. Tournament organizers are seeking sponsors, volunteers and ball runners. Contact Melissa Pampulov at 585-9525 or pampulov@hawaii.usta.com.