Advertised to seem like classes are small and personable. Pool was stacked with classes, packed…read morewith kids. Instructor barely said hi - was moving so fast in order to get through one class to the next one. Feels like a conveyer belt. Did seem to work for the kids there, but definitely not recommended for highly sensitive kids. And the owner wasn't helpful or kind. The false marketing is what wasted my hard earned money and time. I just hope to help others in a similar situation not waste theirs.

Incredible swim school. We've been to both locations and the both are great! Our daughter went from…read moreabsolutely refusing to put her head under water to getting "treasure" off the bottom. Class size is kept small and the level 1 class has two swim coaches per class (unsure of other classes). Our daughter has so much fun and looks forward to it each week. Very, very happy with the school. We've been to two separate classes, 4 different instructors. All 4 were absolutely amazing. They push each kid to make progress while making it fun. Can't say enough positive things about Leahi swim.

Unfortunately I've never met Amber in person. However I really liked having my 6 year old daughter…read morework with Alexa, Ecaterina and Jordan, her swim instructors. She went from being a novice swimmer with no experience to being able to safely swim out of a pool alone within 18 sessions. All of her instructors are kind, patient and skilled. They are very qualified as they are members of the UH swim team and water polo team, which is definitely professional and no joke being in Hawaii. I believe Ecaterina is the captain of the water polo team and Jordan is on their roster. I know that Alexa is on the swim team which is impressive. I trust all of them with the gate code to my home and being alone with my daughter in the pool while I'm inside doing my chores. Every single one of them are strong, muscular, in great shape and are extremely sweet and reliable. They have taught my daughter within a short amount of time to be completely safe in the water. You can dump her in the deep end and she can safely swim out. Every penny is worth it. I did this without any hesitation or regrets as learning to swim saves lives and prevents drowning as an accidental death 100%. I'm sure for others that this may not be your goal. If you want to learn how to swim with more refinement or competitively, you will learn. All of these women are associated with and are on the UH swim team which is very competitive. They are very qualified swim teachers and aren't just high school students trying to make some extra money. I've also Zelle'd Amber going in the thousands of dollars to pay for lessons, and though initially I was very cautious and worried, I've learned that she is trustworthy and ethical. She would never cheat anyone out of money. Her pricing is reasonable during these times and it is worth it because I have seen great results. Only downside is that you need to have access to a private pool. If you don't, please be advised as they will not accommodate using a public setting for lessons. (Understandably it's for liability reasons) Hopefully Amber may take in consideration of using her own or one of her instructors pools to accommodate clients who don't have this access. That's my only recommendation I have for her.

Ms Amber is excellent. She came to our building pool and taught my 2 and 6 year old which was super…read moreconvenient. She is flexible, understanding, kind, and patient with me and especially my kids. In under 12 lessons, my daughter swims so well now because of Amber, we call her a mermaid and consider her joining swim team one day. My toddler is no longer is afraid of going under water and is close to doing a backfloat. We couldn't be happier with this school, Ms Amber and the whole experience. Highly recommend!

I think it's one of the best place in the island Master swimming practice starts at 5:3O AM all…read morestuff it's super awesome . They make dynamic swimming exercise I considering Great and work on your stroke as well give you the best advice and drill what will be work best for you ... I just want to say it's a great place and by the way heated swimming pool .It's a lot of equipment with you can use

Here's my review published in the September 2013 print Hawaii Sport Mag. issue…read morehttp://issuu.com/hawaiisportmag/docs/hawaii_sport_sept_2013_print : PRODUCT: Swim Hawaii - Adult Beginner's Swim and Advance Freestyle Stroke Technique AT: Kahanamoku Aquatic Complex UH Manoa WHEN/TIME FRAME: June 15 - July 31, 2013 COST: $15/class WHERE TO BUY LOCALLY: www.SwimHawaii.com - taught at UH Manoa Aquatics DESCRIPTION: Group swim classes for kids and adults (taught separately) for beginner's and advance levels. Adult Beginner's Swim PROS: 1) Classes are limited to a maximum of five students. Small class sizes allow for individual attention from instructors - also great because you get your money's worth. 2) Classes are Saturdays at 30 minute intervals with two time slots: 4:30 to 5pm and 5 to 5:30pm; providing just enough time for participants to learn without overstraining. CONS: 1) Parking is limited. Cost is $6.00 flat at the UH campus parking Structure, $4.00 flat at Puck's Alley or $2.00 for two hours at Church of the Crossroads (Diamond Parking Service). Otherwise, street parking is an option but it can be hard to find, depending on your class time. I know many people that can swim. But I do not know many people that know HOW to swim. The difference between being able to swim and knowing how to swim, is technique. I started the class with strokes that were jelly-like, laughable and my body movement in the water was overall very strange. I had learned to swim from friends and family with very little swimming teaching experience. Their advice was to just hang out in the water and it will come naturally. That might be true when it comes to feeling comfortable and floating, however, a skill needs to be studied, analyzed and refined. After only being in the class for seven weeks, I am already feeling extremely comfortable in the water. My freestyle stroke is decent and my body composition is much, much better than when I had started. I still have a few more classes to go before being able to swim from one length of the pool to the opposite end, but I will get there! Adult Advance Freestyle Stroke Technique PROS: 1) Freestyle Stroke Mechanics are divided into 8 parts, and spread out over an 8-week course. 2) The class videotapes participant's strokes above-water. A review and critique for improvement session is conducted in the following class. Also included is a lecture highlighting correct stroke patterns and common defects. 3) In addition to learning and focusing on different topics each week, the last 15 minutes of class is devoted to "interval training". This class structure encourages and forces participants to push harder than they would when training on their own time in a pool and in the ocean. This allows students to see constant improvement each week, preparing them for a race, to advance to the next fitness level or just for fun. CONS: 1) Parking is limited. The first lesson I learned in this class was interval swimming. When it comes to swimming, interval training is much different than interval training on foot. The concept is based on intense swimming within a given time frame and a given distance. The recovery period is the small window you are awarded within your given time frame when you reach the end of the set distance. In other words, your rest period is based on how much effort you place into getting to the end of your distance based on the time left over. If you are curious about this concept, I highly suggest giving the class a shot. You may join the class at anytime. Check out www.SwimHawaii.com to see how you can sign-up. WOULD YOU RECOMMEND THIS PRODUCT? Absolutely Yes. REASON(S): I have already recommended Swim Hawaii to one friend who is currently enrolled in the Advance Freestyle Technique class. Two additional friends will be enrolled in the upcoming Adult Beginner's Swim class. RATING (0-5; 0 being terrible, 5 being as good as it gets): 5 - As good as it gets! ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Jan Prins, Founder & Director EMAIL/PHONE: janprins@swimhawaii.com

Brandon is such an amazing coach! He did 1:1 sessions with my 4yo and 7yo boys and they both…read morelearned so much. He's so patient and works so well with kids of all ages. He catered his lesson to their own individual skill and comfort level in the water so they didn't feel scared or intimidated at all. We will absolutely book more lessons with him when we are back on the island! I highly recommend him for any swim lessons your family may need!

We have had the privilege of working with Brandon for the past four years during our annual…read moreHawaiian vacation, and we truly cannot say enough great things about him. He has coached both of our daughters -- now 4 and 7 -- and the transformation has been remarkable. Both girls started with a real fear of the water, and Brandon had such a natural, thoughtful way of gently pushing them forward at just the right pace. He always seemed to know exactly what each of them needed to build confidence without feeling overwhelmed. Thanks to Brandon, both girls are now water safe, have learned to swim, and continue to improve their strokes every year. But what really sets him apart is that he makes every single lesson genuinely fun. These are kids on vacation -- there are a million other things competing for their attention -- and yet they look forward to their lessons with him every time. That truly says it all. If you are looking for a swim instructor who is skilled, patient, creative, and just wonderful with kids, Brandon is your person. We feel so lucky to have found him and cannot imagine our trips to Hawaii without him!

Absolute 5 + Stars for the coaches!!!…read more Coach Katie was wonderful; she taught my daughter how to swim and helped her fall in love with the water! Now we're with Coach Lucy Boone, who's also fantastic!!! It's amazing to see how much she learns in just 30 minutes each week. We're so thankful for both coaches! However, it was quite challenging to get ahold of the management office. Hope it will change in a better way over time. Overall, we're so grateful for both coaches and will continue to support them!

This company is a special one. Make sure you read the fine print and speak to someone in person…read morebefore booking and pay for their service. They have no problem taking your money without providing without the service. They have a simple clause on the website, **NO REFUNDS**. Back story, I requested (6) private swimming lessons at (approx. $500). Their website says they travel anywhere to do the lessons. However, they primarily use Ala Moana Beach Park &Palama Settlement Pool. I live in the Pearl City area, and we have several community pools. Swim Lesson Hawaii  state they can't teach at those pools. It was not listed on the website. I found out after the fact. Because of my work and family obligations, I would not be able to drive to Honolulu (2-3) a week for lessons.  So I asked for a refund, and they said NO REFUND.  I did understand because nothing was scheduled, and they were not at a lose for answering the phone. I fully understand if a date had been scheduled or I had started the lesson plan and drop out. These all occurred in 48 hours. This was a money grab. Beware!!!

I had not been in this YMCA branch in forever, but it was nice to drop by to see how it has…read morechanged. The swimming pool is still there. They do have a fitness room but it seems super small compared to the other branches. There are a limited number of weight machines and cardio machines. Parking is still all right for the most part.

Kathy's chair yoga classes are so enjoyable. She brings positive energy to every session and takes…read morethe time to greet the participants by name. Her program addresses the entire body. Trey at the check-in hut is great at his job! - friendly, professional, courteous and knowledgeable.

We really liked Nicole. She is very patient and nice. She helped my daughter learn to swim. My…read moredaughter was not able to swim at all prior to these lessons. Nicole helped my daughter feel comfortable in the water and helped her to swim! We highly recommend Nicole.

I took 5 lessons with Nicole as I only needed a refresher on how to swim. She was very flexible…read morewith scheduling. Right from our first lesson, I knew that she knows what she's doing. After watching me for a couple laps, she knew what I needed improvement on and tailored the curriculum and her teaching style to fit me. I highly recommend having Nicole as an instructor no matter what stage in your swimming life you're in.

My 5-year-old just finished her swim lessons, and we had a good experience with Crystal. She is…read morepassionate about swimming and challenges my child, which made a big difference for a beginner. She helped my child feel safe and comfortable in the water, and I could see improvement each week. It was a great way to start learning how to swim, and we're happy with how it all went! I highly recommend the One Price Guarantee for the 20 lessons; it really made the difference.

Classes with Crystal we're so fun and rewarding. She got our little 3 year old to be brave in the…read morewater. He learned helpful swim techniques, made lots of friends, and developed the courage to swim like a little fish. The small class sizes were great too. Highly recommended!

I grew up going to this club for swimming lessons and then for tennis lessons. We came here today…read moreto play a tennis match for a league. A lot has changed since I was here as a child. There's a pool near the front that's not just a kiddie pool. There's a ramp and not just stairs at the entrance (good for handicap/stroller accessibility). Unfortunately they closed the snack bar (used to be my favorite place to get gummy snacks after practice). I heard the tennis courts now have a surface that is squishy and unlike regular courts which is not too good. But other than that, it's just as I remember! The parking lot is pretty beat up and today had lots of pooling water in potholes. At least the parking is free!

The biggest positive about this club are the pools. They are huge and there are 2 huge lap pools…read moreand 1 small kiddie pool. There are a number of instructors giving little kids lessons. It also appears there are large swim teams practicing daily in the afternoon. So..if you are expecting a leisurely quiet swim after work you are better off at the beach park. The facilities are dated with rotting railings. Bathrooms are old and not exactly the cleanest. The club has several tennis courts with regular patrons gossiping on the side lines and ummm..playing. Gym equipment is located kinda semi outdoors indoors style. Parking is tough in the afternoon with the kids and their parents descending in droves for swim classes or team practices. If you are expecting new equipment and cleanly updated surroundings with quiet work out space..this place is not for you.

Before writing my review. I would like to state I normally give a 3 strike review. Unless it's a…read morebad experience I know could affect other Yelpers, future customers or clients. I rarely do bad reviews but today drawers the line. That being said, we pay money to workout. Sometimes we answer the phone, sometimes where certain things that other gym allows that I guess YMCA doesn't. I get it, gym protocols. I have always had gym etiquette due to propped up bringing and the uncles reminding us growing up. However, if you gonna be policing members like no tomorrow. That's not a gym, it's an institution. You can't control the flux of drug addicts coming in and taking peoples gym equipment. But people are breaking into the lockers. Making the environment unsafe? To me please make it make sense. This is why I'm happy I have, Iron Hawaiian fitness and UFC gym. Even though the parking is crazy. The environment is so awesome. I'm glad this is my last year at YMCA. It's definitely not like it used to be before. But I hope it gets better and they start treating their members better.

The largest YMCA branch on Oahu, and it's just outside the heart of Downtown Honolulu. I don't come…read morehere very often, but the regular weight room is the largest I have seen along with the free weight room. There are plenty of cross-trainers and exercise bikes but the only downside is that they lack treadmills. The stretching area is in a separate room. Going through the entire building can feel like being in a maze and it might be somewhat easy to get lost. The parking lot is relatively large but it can be hard to find a spot at times, however.