College athletes and U.S. Olympic decathlon gold medalist Bryan Clay set the tone for health and fitness yesterday at the Kids Fest on the grounds of the Bishop Museum.

The 28-year-old Clay in a T-shirt and shorts kissed his daughter as she gave him a cup of water at the day-long event that featured exhibits on asthma, hydration, bone health, the importance of hand washing and tours of a fire truck and an ambulance.

Clay was the poster child of health for yesterday's event, warming up the journalists and doctors who competed in a short relay course of challenges.

"Whenever I come back home to Hawai'i, I always want to make sure I partner with the right people," Clay said. "I want to teach kids and their parents how to take an active role in having a healthy lifestyle."

This is the fourth year for Kids Fest, a free family event sponsored by Straub Clinic & Hospital, Kapi'olani Medical Center for Women & Children and affiliates of Hawai'i Pacific Health.

Free bottles of water and lunch were handed out to the families who were encouraged to visit various information booths for the festival that was geared for young children. About 4,500 people poured through the gates yesterday to participate, to snag an autograph from Clay or one of the University of Hawai'i's women's track and field athletes.

While signing autographs on pictures, T-shirts and boxes of Wheaties sporting Clay's visage, UH track, volleyball and swimming athletes sat and signed posters of themselves.

Joy Saleapaga, a UH track and field sprinter, was proud to be among the athletes as an icon of health.

"We don't have many opportunities as we'd like," Saleapaga said. "We feel we need to be positive role models."

BALANCE IS KEY

Annett Wichmann, a track and field pentathlete, said she enjoys going to kid events and encouraging youngsters to go out and be all they can be.

"If you work hard enough, you can accomplish anything," Wichmann said as she signed her name on a poster that featured her and two other women athletes.

"I made it. All the way from Germany to here. You can do anything," she said. "I have received so much. I want to share it."

The key to athletic success, Clay said, is balance — to live a healthy life physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.

"Our families are the core of Hawai'i," said Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Ainoa. "The festival has grown so much. It's incredible. It's all about awareness and education of fitness and leading a healthy lifestyle for our children."

While the autograph line was light, the line snaked out the tent for youngsters to try their hips at the Wii Play hula hoop challenge.

Megumi Takushi, had her game face on and was determined to set a record among participants yesterday. Standing on the game pad, she swung her hips, and as the image on the screen threw challenges at her, she moved her body to collect the hoops.

"I have this game at home," said the 8-year-old Takushi. "The secret is to lean to the side to get all the hula hoops."

Volunteer Sarah Amino, a Maryknoll School ninth-grader, stood munching on pizza at the volunteer booth after helping out at the registration line. A kayaker for her school, Amino and her friends enjoyed their Sunday morning helping out.

"It was fun helping other people," she said.