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<\/a>An athlete practices footwork with hitting patterns with a coach during a training session prior to a competition on June 30, 2026. (Kelsey Walling\/Big Island Now)<\/p>\n\u201cBattle in Puna\u201d was put on by Vital Boxing, a Puna-based nonprofit that was opened at the end of 2023 by Pete Vital.<\/p>\n
He has been teaching youth of all ages how to box and grow their skills, while also creating an outlet for kids to improve their physical and mental health.<\/p>\n
\u201cI found boxing later as an adult and it really helped me with the vices I struggled with at the time,\u201d Vital said. \u201cInstead of ending up in bad situations, I could just let go of my emotions in the boxing ring.\u201d<\/p>\n
As an adult, Vital has participated in competitions and fights, which have been a fun part of his life. When he began training his kids in the sport, he realized that there was an opportunity to offer this to all of Puna\u2019s youth.<\/p>\n \u201cCreating Vital Boxing was really simple for me,\u201d he said. \u201cI just thought of what I needed when I was young. I remember as a kid, I went to this boxing gym, and they told me if I didn\u2019t have money, I couldn\u2019t train with them.<\/p>\n \u201cI look back at that moment and think \u2014 wow, how different would my life be if there was somewhere I could go to learn to box for free.\u201d <\/p>\n Vital Boxing has training sessions from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. every Monday and Thursday, and it is free for youth 17 years old and under.When they <\/p>\n For beginners, the coaches focus on full-body conditioning exercises, foundational techniques and non-contact drills like hitting heavy bags.<\/p>\n \u201cFor people unfamiliar with boxing, I like to point out the importance of prioritizing agility, coordination and discipline over the actual fighting,\u201d Vital said. \u201cIf you are unable to balance yourself in the ring, you don\u2019t have a great chance at success. Footwork is key.\u201d<\/p>\n Once they have the proper techniques down, they begin training with coaches wearing pads to practice combinations and timing. Training sessions are either at the P\u0101hoa Recreational Center in P\u0101hoa Park or hosted at Vital\u2019s parents\u2019 house in \u02bb\u0100inaloa.<\/p>\n Since the boxing event was coming up, Vital Boxing hosted training on Thursday at the \u02bb\u0100inaloa house so boxers could use the homemade boxing ring that Vital built from old piping from his job at Puna Geothermal and flooring donated by P\u0101hoa High School.<\/p>\n \u201cBecause we offer this for free, purchasing a boxing ring was not possible,\u201d Vital said. \u201cWe rent one for our events, but for training, I decided to build it myself. For me, this ring is always going to be a reminder of where we started and why it is so important for us to keep offering this to our youth.\u201d<\/p>\n On the Thursdays before Saturday boxing events, every athlete participating gets a two-minute ice bath to help relieve soreness.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is just a fun tradition they all enjoy doing before a competition and it is really helpful,\u201d Vital said.<\/p>\n On Saturday, the \u201cBattle of Puna\u201d brought excellent competition to the ring, including 23 boxers from the Big Island. <\/p>\n Vital Boxing will host \u201cEnd of Summer Classic,\u201d another USA Boxing Hawai\u02bbi event, at the Billy Kenoi Recreation Center on Sept. 20. All events are $20 for adult admission. Kids 18 years old and under are free. <\/p>\n \u201cAll proceeds from the events go to our team expenses and for travel when possible,\u201d Vital said. \u201cIt\u2019s the perfect way for us to break even on some things while also providing the opportunity for these youth to get experience in the ring.\u201d<\/p>\n To learn more about Vital Boxing, visit the Instagram<\/a> page or contact Vital at riskiepete@gmail.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/a>Hayden Huihui practices technique with a coach during training with Vital Boxing on July 30, 2026 prior to the Battle in Puna event. (Kelsey Walling\/Big Island Now)<\/p>\n<\/a>An athlete and coach works on techniques together during training at Vital Boxing in AInaloa on July 30, 2026. (Kelsey Walling\/Big Island Now)<\/p>\n<\/a>An athlete practices hitting patterns with a coach during a training on July 30, 2026 ahead of the Battle in Puna boxing event. (Kelsey Walling\/Big Island Now)<\/p>\n<\/a>Brody Leahy trains with a coach during a Vital Boxing practice prior to the Battle in Puna boxing event on July 30, 2026. (Kelsey Walling\/Big Island Now)<\/p>\n