A message from Shiroma Hanshi to Rocky Lapinid Sensei, Paauilo Dojo,
Region 3 Senseis, Members & Ohana,

Just wanted to say MAHALO! for hosting the 2018 Spring Training with Shihan on the black sand beach of Waipio Valley and the Kuro Obi (Black Belt) Class at the Honokaa Gym.

Those who live in Hawaii know how sacred Waipio Valley is and for those who didn’t, it was awesome that you had a Kumu(Teacher)/Hawaiian Cultural Practitioner provide us with some historical background of Waipio Valley and bless our day with a Pule (Hawaiian Prayer) before we proceeded into the Valley.

I thoroughly enjoyed teaching the general membership on the beach and then the kuro obis after at the gym.  It’s been many years since I did training on the beach and it brought back memories.  The energy (mana/spirit) of the Valley enveloped me and I hope others felt it too.

Congratulations to Mia Joaquin and brother Rome Joaquin  of the Waikoloa Dojo, for their successful performance & interview testing for their Junior Shodan.

Please convey our thanks and appreciation to the Region 3 Members and Ohana for the delicious pot luck dinner after the kuro obi training.

Attached are some photos that one of our Kona Dojo parents took of the students on the beach.  The other is a group photo of the Kuro Obi class at the Honokaa Gym.

Shihan visit to the Kailua-Kona Dojo on Thursday, 3-29-18, on
his trip to the Big Island for the Spring Training with Shihan at Waipio Valley.

Honokaa Kuro Obi class

Beach training

Beach training

Beach training

Beach training

Beach training

Beach training

Beach training

The 2017 International Karate League Tournament was a wonderful success. Tournament Director Sensei Robert Matsushita extends his gratitude to all participants, volunteers, Yudansha, Committee members, and donors who made the tournament possible this year.

The IKL Board of Governors Congratulates Sensei Wilbur Mina (far left) and Sensei Cliff Field (far right) for their promotions to Roku-dan (6th degree Black Belt).