Punching his ticket

There are many paths people take to find fitness, both physical and mental. Sometimes it becomes addition by subtraction when eliminating activities in the search to find the perfect one.

Snooky Fujikawa took that journey more than 20 years ago, knocking out aikido, taekwondo and other martial arts before finding boxing at Kalakaua Gym.

But, at age 20, the Varsity School graduate was too old to hope for a pro career. Instead, Fujikawa continued to box, becoming a personal trainer who included boxing in his workouts while also paying the bills with other jobs.

It was through the work connection with the Papa John’s outlet on Kapiolani Boulevard that Fujikawa finally found the perfect 1-2 combination to attain his dream. A boxing studio named "Punch" to develop his concept of total fitness.

"I will teach you to box fundamentally," the 45-year-old Fujikawa said. "In the process, you get the plyometrics, the hybrid exercises to get you into shape.

"You may never, ever think about getting into the ring but you’ll know what boxing is all about."

His clientele is slowly increasing by design as Fujikawa grows into his new space. Punch, which opened a few months ago, offers one-on-one training, small classes (up to five people), larger classes (up to 15) and, starting next month, a boxing boot camp (15-20).

"It’s not so much to train fighters," said Fujikawa, recently appointed to the Hawaii State Boxing Commission. "It’s for the average person who is wanting to do something different."

Fujikawa’s mission statement is titled "Mono e Mono," a clever takeoff on the term "mano a mano" (hand to hand) that nephew Clint Uyehara came up with. The vision is to "train one on one with an individual until they obtain their goals." Those include weight loss, confidence building and an appreciation for the sport of boxing.

"What I like best about this is the teaching," Fujikawa said. "I enjoy everyone wanting to learn. It’s just fun."

The main studio has nine bags to work out on. A smaller room offers a shower and locker space, another room has speed bags and the potential to add weights in the future.

The majority of his clients are women, Fujkawa said, including his wife Susie. He said that one woman who initially bought a package for her husband came to the grand opening, worked out, and now has her co-workers coming to work out as well.

"The women we have enjoy the small-group atmosphere, that it’s not out in the open where a lot of people are watching you," he said. "It’s more that personal dynamic.

"If you want to bring a group of your own, we’ll work with that. Eventually, we want to be involved with community causes, like breast cancer awareness. We want to be part of more positive things in Hawaii."

Punch is open by appointment Mondays through Saturday. Class and individual rates vary; the first session is free.

There is free parking in the lot off Makaloa Street behind the building that also houses Papa John’s and Teddy’s Bigger Burgers. The second-floor studio’s access is through an unmarked green door located in the breezeway between the parking lot and Kapiolani Boulevard.

CORRECTION: Snooky Fujikawa’s wife is Susie. Her first name was misspelled in an earlier version of this story.