Manakoa Gymnastics

OVERVIEW

Manakoa Gymnastics in Aiea is one of Oahu’s most distinctive gymnastics facilities — a family-owned gym whose very name captures its philosophy. In the Hawaiian language, “Manakoa” means champion warrior spirit, and the gym’s founding team — co-owners Sarah (a former five-time California State Champion and NCAA collegiate gymnast at University of Wisconsin-Stout) and Ralphie (a former rocket scientist at Rocketdyne, master’s in electrical engineering from USC, and 20-year LAUSD physics teacher named Most Inspirational Teacher in 2000) — bring an extraordinary combination of athletic, academic, and personal excellence to every aspect of the program. Located at 99-899 Iwaena Street in Aiea, Manakoa serves students of all ages with personalized gymnastics training following the USAG Junior Olympic curriculum, with a competitive team — the Momentum Program Team (MPT) — for athletes ready to pursue competition.

Manakoa is a proud program partner with both Girl Scouts of Hawaii and GS Hawaii — the only gymnastics facility on Oahu to hold this distinction. The gym’s coaches possess the highest USAG professional certifications, and the facility is praised for its clean, open-air, well-ventilated training environment where equipment, mats, and carpet are cleaned and disinfected daily. Manakoa is also one of the few gyms in Hawaii to offer adult gymnastics and adult beginner classes as a regular part of its programming calendar.

THE GYM

The Iwaena Street facility provides a clean, well-maintained gymnastics training environment for students from preschool through adult. The gym’s open-air design keeps the space well-ventilated, and the coaching staff’s emphasis on excellent form from the very first beginner class ensures that every student at every level is building technique that will serve them through the full progression of the program. Manakoa’s unique combination of academic rigor, athletic background, and cultural depth — embodied in the warrior spirit of the gym’s name — sets it apart among Hawaii’s gymnastics programs.

PROGRAMS

Preschool and Beginner Gymnastics

Classes introduce basic gymnastics skills from forward rolls and backward rolls through cartwheels, bridge kick-overs, and introductory work on beam, vault, and uneven bars. Coaches pace each student individually, ensuring no child is rushed past foundational skills before mastery is achieved.

Advanced Gymnastics

Advanced classes develop handsprings and more complex tumbling passes on floor, with corresponding advanced work on vault, uneven bars, and beam. Some advanced classes serve as competitive team classes for athletes in the Momentum Program Team.

Adult Gymnastics

Manakoa’s adult gymnastics classes — including an adult beginner track — provide a rare and welcoming opportunity for adults to pursue structured gymnastics instruction on the Big Island’s side of Oahu.

Momentum Program Team (MPT)

The MPT is Manakoa’s competitive track, preparing athletes for Junior Olympic competition through USAG. Athletes with intermediate to advanced skills may try out for the MPT by contacting the gym directly.

Hours

Monday: 2:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday through Friday: 2:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Saturday through Sunday: 8:30 AM – 2:00 PM

Contact & Location