For nearly four decades, The Club has been a cornerstone of health, wellness and community on the Kona Coast. What began as a shared vision among friends and family evolved into one of West Hawaiʻi’s longest-standing fitness institutions—and soon, that legacy will expand to Kealakekua.
Owner and President Jeff Lee traces his roots back to Oʻahu, where his family comes from Mānoa Valley and Waikīkī. Though Jeff was raised in Hilo with two brothers, he moved to Kona in 1983. “Family on every island,” he says with a smile. His deep island ties and lifelong athleticism shaped both the values he carries and the business he has built.
Jeff never set out dreaming of gym ownership. Instead, his passion for movement—and the teamwork sports instilled in him—led him toward a profession centered on shared goals. “I’d like to be known for contributing to the community with a business built on cultural values of respect and inclusion,” he says.
Those values guided The Club from the start. The early years, Jeff recalls, were marked by many challenges, but the belief in a bigger cause always pulled him through. “When the ‘why’ is big enough, the ‘how’ figures itself out.”
That outlook continues to define The Club today. Jeff Lee’s own routine reflects that philosophy: early morning stretching and meditation, a weight-room workout and an ocean swim or surf before settling into office hours. Evenings often end with sunset pupus, and weekends are reserved for camping, hiking, or hunting up mauka.
Vice President Roxie Zendejas, who joined The Club nine years ago, remembers meeting Jeff under unlikely circumstances—while boarding a plane to leave the island. He offered her a director’s position based solely on a conversation and her qualifications. “That level of faith in people defines who Jeff is—genuine, heart-led and loyal,” she says.
Zendejas, originally from California, calls her years at The Club “the longest relationship I’ve ever had.” She has grown with—and because of—the members, staff and community. “People show up for their health for decades. That’s why this space matters,” she shares.
Her partnership with Jeff has weathered the highs and lows of nearly a decade. “We’re united by one goal: doing what’s best for The Club, our team, our members and our community,” she says. Their work environment reflects that, filled with equal parts dedication and humor—plus a rotating cast of gym pets over the years, including a cat, a duck, chameleons and now a dog named Ollie.
As The Club prepares to open its second location, Kealakekua is top of mind. “It’s a follow-up of Kona’s location to the community of South Kona—one that has so far been missing,” Jeff says. While the exact January opening date is still fluid, construction and preparation are underway.
The Kealakekua site will honor the spirit of The Club Kona while offering a modern, refreshed experience. Zendejas describes it as “a space for everyone,” featuring new equipment, Olympic lifting platforms, sled-pull lanes, functional training zones, virtual Les Mills classes and saunas for recovery.
Above all, both leaders emphasize that The Club is, and always has been, about people. Members range from competitive athletes to kūpuna who simply believe in staying active. Zendejas points to her oldest client, age 94. His advice: “Never stop.”
For those considering joining, she offers this: “The Club Kona is more than a fitness center—it’s a family.” Jeff echoes the sentiment, “Come and experience us for a month. It’s not just a gym. It’s a lifestyle of long-term health and camaraderie.”
Stay tuned for The Club Kealakekua’s January opening at TheClubKona.com.