Off-Duty in Waikīkī with Justine Kurihara
From morning workouts to matcha breaks and thoughtful finds, the fitness trainer and founder of Schellin Fit maps out her perfect day at the Royal Hawaiian Center.
INTERVIEW BY EUNICA ESCALANTE
IMAGES BY JOHN HOOK
TRANSLATION BY YUMI OZAKI
Justine Kurihara’s path to fitness began in Los Angeles, where she first worked as a model. As she acclimated to the move from her native Tokyo to sunny L.A., she found herself drawn to the city’s wellness culture. Soon, she was deep into the city’s health and fitness scene, drawn less to the aesthetics than the structure of discipline and routine. Returning to Japan, she found herself at the forefront of a still-emerging category: the fitness model. Her popularity soared as wellness found a global foothold. Then, she met her future husband Takashi Kurihara, a former wide receiver for Japan’s national American football team. (More recent fans might recognize him on Netflix’s newest physical survival series, Final Draft.)
Eventually, Justine stepped away from traditional modeling and transitioned into fitness training, sharing her approach through her brand, Schellin Fit. Two years, ago Justine and Takashi took to the leap to live on O‘ahu full-time, wanting to raise their growing family outside of Japan. The Royal Hawaiian Center has become one of Justine’s go-to spots, where mornings at the beach often turn into afternoons of shopping and evenings dining out with family. Here, Justine takes us through her favorite places to shop and dine.
BUILDING A, LEVEL 1
I love how lightweight their bags feel, even with the high-quality leather they use. Plus, their island-inspired designs make the bags so quintessentially Hawai‘i.
BUILDING C, LEVEL 1
After mornings at the beach, I love taking my family to get a treat at Banán. The Chunkadelic has become my favorite flavor, especially with the scoops of macadamia nut honey butter. And even though they’re satisfyingly delicious, the healthy ingredients make them so guilt-free.
BUILDING A, LEVEL 3
I’ve been doing mat Pilates for years, and it’s still one of my favorite workouts. Lagree O‘ahu offers a more intense take that adds a new level of challenge. The Megaformer amplifies every movement, making even the smallest motions feel that much more demanding.
BUILDING B, LEVEL 1-KIOSK
Island Vintage Shave Ice is my go-to for an afternoon treat. They don’t use any artificial sweeteners and often include fresh fruit toppings. Plus, their ice is powdery soft, not crunchy like most shave ice spots.
BUILDING B, LEVEL 1
My style has always leaned towards the more casual. Island Snow is one of those places I can stop into for an easy streetwear find. I like their mix of laid-back island designs, like their own Island Snow line, and more elevated staples, like Carhartt WIP and Awake NY.
SIGNATURE BY THE KAHALA HOTEL & RESORT
BUILDING C, LEVEL 1
Signature by the Kahala Hotel & Resort is my first stop when I’m looking for a thoughtful omiyage (souvenir) before heading back to Japan. The selection feels elevated but still distinctly Hawai‘i. I particularly love their selection of coffee beans—and so does my family back home!
BUILDING B, LEVEL 1
I’m always looking for a good matcha spot, and Junbi is one I keep coming back to. Their drinks feel clean and balanced, without being overly sweet. It’s an easy stop to reset and recharge, whether it’s between errands or after a workout. My favorite is the Guava Matcha Cold Brew.
BUILDING B, LEVEL 3
My husband and I are always craving udon, especially since moving away from Japan. Tsurutontan’s udon are consistently satisfying: silky noodles, good portions, and a rich broth. For my fellow uni (sea urchin) fans, their uni cream udon is a must.
