Hawaiian Martial Arts Syposium Honolulu Hawaii 2025 Day1
- Don
- Jul 5
- 4 min read
Friday, 20 June 2025, 16:40hrs
It’s a hot afternoon at Hawaii Pacific University’s Aloha Tower Campus. There’s a sense of anticipation in the air and a profound feeling of excitement—we’re finally here in Honolulu for the Hawaiian Martial Arts Symposium.
The registration process is seamless thanks to the pre-registration completed months in advance. As we walk into the main hall, we instantly feel at home, surrounded by like-minded martial artists who share our passion. The energy is electric, conversations buzz with enthusiasm, and smiles are exchanged between old friends and new faces alike.
Day 1: Grand Opening and Introduction
The symposium began with a traditional Hawaiian welcome led by Kumu Ramsay Taum, who performed a moving ceremony that included a calling to the four winds—similar to a Māori prayer offered to give thanks to the winds for ensuring everyone’s safe arrival and to ask for protection on the journey ahead.
He spoke of coming with a heart of forgiveness, encouraging everyone to seek forgiveness for themselves and to forgive anyone who may have offended them—knowingly or unknowingly—so that all could begin the symposium with clear hearts, open minds, and a shared sense of respect. His powerful words and chants set a tone of humility, compassion, and connection to the land, reminding everyone of the deep ties between martial arts, indigenous cultures, and the spirit of aloha.
For effective, belt-appropriate training, participants were divided into three zones, each organized by belt grading:
Zone 1 (3rd Dan and Higher): Senior practitioners engaged in advanced seminars on leadership, strategy, and refining techniques at the highest levels.
Zone 2 (Black Belts up to 2nd Dan): Focused on advanced application drills, tactical sparring, and teaching methodologies for junior black belts.
Zone 3 (All Kyu Grades): Included all white to brown belts, concentrating on fundamentals, application drills, sparring basics, and building a strong foundation.
Due to this factor, my reviews will be based from the perspective of the All Kyu Grades group, sharing insights and experiences as a kyu-grade participant throughout the symposium.
17:00hrs – Session 1
The first instructor up for our zone was Professor Melvin Canisbog (Danzan Ryu).
Prof Canisbog led the class through a series of escape techniques from various holds, seamlessly transitioning into finishing movements. He encouraged practitioners to be creative and adaptive, allowing each student to incorporate their own style into the execution. Throughout the session, he offered insightful commentary and shared his perspectives, opening our minds to the possibilities that can expand from a single basic movement. His teaching emphasized that mastery isn’t just about memorizing techniques but about understanding principles deeply enough to adapt them fluidly to real-life situations.
18:00hrs – Session 2
The second session for our zone was led by Professor Rowdy Hall. Professor Hall began the class with an introduction to close quarters combat, emphasizing the importance of driving in close, penetrating inside the opponent’s guard, and invading their space. He stressed that by getting inside quickly, practitioners can expand their options for counters, controls, and finishing techniques. The intent, he explained, is to enter decisively and finish the engagement as fast as possible, minimizing the time spent exposed and maintaining control of the encounter.
19:00hrs – Session 3
The third session for our zone was led by Professor Dr. Carlos Deleon, who began his class with an introduction to the Lua combat system, explaining the art’s effectiveness and brutal efficiency by using the example of the “shark bite” technique—showing how it can be applied to devastating effect.
After this introduction, Dr. Deleon presented a chart of the Circle of Destruction, highlighting meridians, the elements, and the organs they represent, and explaining how strikes or manipulations to these points impact the body.
He then led the class through basic Lua footwork and stances, emphasizing balance, mobility, and readiness. This transitioned into a Wing Chun palming drill, which he used as an entry technique leading directly into Lua-style takedowns and finishing moves.
Dr. Deleon discussed the importance of body positioning, structure, and forming a proper fist, underscoring how these fundamentals create power and protect the practitioner.
To conclude the session, he introduced rope (cord) techniques, demonstrating how to disarm a knife-wielding attacker and immobilize them using the cord for control and blocking—an impressive application of traditional Lua methods to modern self-defense scenarios.
End of the Evening
To conclude the evening, we split into teams of three for a Mirimiri (Massage) session as part of our cool-down routine. This traditional practice helped us release the built-up energies and tensions from the day’s intense training, leaving everyone feeling relaxed, grounded, and restored. It was a truly unique and memorable way to finish the day’s sessions, allowing us to reflect on what we had learned before bowing out together with gratitude and respect.
To Be Continued.........
Check back for day 2 coming soon
And Just Incase you forgot Its BDJJA ALL DAY Ouussss
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