She loves to garden and has found that this passion also contributes to her fitness level. The bending, lifting, tilling and weeding keep her flexible and strong.

Culhane has discovered another enjoyable everyday form of exercise is walking on the beach with the family dog, Aukai, and her husband, Geoff.

Name: Pi'ilani Culhane.

Age: 48.

Profession: Retail business consultant for Chevron Corp. She oversees operations for some of the stations statewide.

Height: 5-feet-4.

Weight: 125 pounds.

Workout habits: Hula three times a week, about 2 hours per session; and gardening three times a week, about 2 to 3 hours each time.

When and why I started working out: "For hula, about a year and a half ago, it was a personal goal to learn the songs and meaning of the songs and to be able to dance when asked at family functions. It was a way of getting back into the Hawaiian culture after living on the Mainland for over 16 years. I haven't danced since I was 14 years old.

"There are classes once a week that I diligently attend if I'm not traveling, and I also practice twice a week with some hula sisters.

"I noticed that we were working out all of our muscles ... between the hula steps and hand motions and practicing an hour straight; it's good for body-toning.

"I also have a formal English garden that I enjoy tilling and planting as well as watching flowers and vegetables grow from seeds. Tilling the soil and weeding are other ways of exercising.

"Both hula and gardening are not only a physical workout but great stress-relievers and relaxation for the body and soul. Learning the meaning to each song and being able to portray the meaning in dance is sort of tranquil and sometimes takes you to that place about which you are dancing.

"It releases all the tension of work and everyday hustle and bustle, and enables you to imagine and enjoy the swaying trees, the mist flowing over the Pali, the ocean waves splashing on the rocks. As for gardening, it's a personal satisfaction to nurture seeds that will become beautiful flowers or crisp and tasty vegetables."

My good foods/bad foods: "Eating lots of vegetables and fruits and going light on the starches. For example, one scoop rice at dinner only and lots of salad. I tend to graze throughout the day with fruits and vegetables and small portions of meat protein. Moderation with the fatty and fried products."

My biggest motivator: "Feeling good and looking good, both inside and out."

My biggest roadblock to fitness: "Time constraints. Balancing family, career and time for fitness."

What saves my sanity: "Having a supportive and loving family. ... and dancing with my hula sisters and brother. It relieves the day-to-day tension and learning the meaning to the old songs makes me appreciate, more than ever, Hawai'i and its culture."