Cutty's Keiki Fitness Challenge is open to children ages 8 to 16 and their families and is free to all participants. The first 800 keiki to sign up will receive a Keiki Get Fit Backpack filled with fitness goodies. Each keiki will also receive a booklet of health information, including an exercise and nutrition program and log book.

Upon starting the program, participants will be tested for strength, endurance, flexibility, body mass, body fat, blood pressure and other key health indexes to create a baseline from which to measure improvement. Then they'll embark on the challenge, incorporating exercise and nutrition tips provided by the program, and keep track of their activity in their fitness log. (For kids with Internet access, progress can be tracked online.)

Here's how it works: First, participants download a registration form and fitness log at www.keikifitnesschallenge.com. Next, they'll visit any of the 13 community health centers statewide to obtain their starting fitness assessment. Three months later, they'll return to the health center for a final assessment. Those who finish with the greatest increase in their "Cutty Health Index" will be eligible to win cash, prizes, scholarships, a TV commercial appearance and much more.

The registration period is now through April 30. Participants will have three months from the date of registration to complete the Challenge.

Dr. Erica Evans, Medical Director at the West Hawaii Community Health Center, said, "Our purpose is to motivate children to make healthy lifestyle choices by promoting physical activity, healthy eating habits, and self esteem. We also hope to encourage parents to engage with their children and become good role models by increasing their own level of physical activity and making healthier lifestyle choices concerning diet and nutrition."