Shihan Akio Minakami

Shihan Akio Minakami was born in Tokyo, Japan and made a name for himself as an outstanding karate man. He won 5 Gold Medals at the Hayashi-Ha Shitoryu-Kai International Championships and 5 Gold Medals at the All Japan Karate Championships. He was also the first man ever to win 5 Gold Medals (every division possible) at the AAU National Championships.

Shihan Minakami was the first individual ever to receive a unanimous passing grade, meaning all 11 Masters (representing the 4 major styles) on the Japan Karate Federation examining board, gave him their approval. This is an amazing honor for which he will always be known.

Today, Shihan Minakami holds an 8th Degree Black Belt in Hayashi-Ha Shitoryu-Kai, a 7th Degree Black Belt from the Japan Karatedo Federation, a Black Belt in Judo and a 3rd Degree Black Belt in Kendo.

Sensei Sean Roberts

Sensei Sean Roberts, 5th Dan, is 8-time British Karate Champion, 3-time European Karate Champion, and a Gold Medal winner with the England Team in the 1990 and 1991 World Shotokan Karate Championships. For a number of years, he was the Chief Instructor at Cambridge University Karate Club in England and was regularly invited to teach karate around Europe.

Sensei Roberts moved to Hawaii in 2002 and is now the Chief Karate Instructor at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. He is currently studying for a PhD in Biomechanics, specifically looking at the kinematics and kinetics of karate technique. He is also a certified Iyengar yoga teacher and a Chartered Accountant.

Sensei Hans Sasaki

Sensei Hans Sasaki, 3rd Dan.

Sensei Doug Crowell

Sensei Doug Crowell, 3rd Dan.

Sempai Aaron Chan

Sempai Aaron Chan, Shodan, is the first black belt to come out of Minakami Karate Dojo Hawaii. He had met Roberts Sensei upon entering college in 2003. Originally from San Francisco, one of his previous senseis was Oshiro Shihan, who is good friends with Minakami Shihan. In May 2008, he graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Travel Industry Management from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

Sempai Naomi Wong

Sempai Naomi Wong, Shodan (probationary), is the first female student to earn a dan grade in the Minakami Karate Dojo Hawaii from Shihan Minakami. Sempai Naomi Wong began her martial arts training as a white belt in 2003 when the dojo first began operations. She enjoys assisting in the kids’ classes at KCC and UH.

Sempai Kiyo Matsuoka

Sempai Kiyo Matsuoka, Shodan (probationary), is the 3rd person from MKDH to achieve her black belt. She is a tireless worker and works hard to keep the dojo organized.

Sempai Adam Hagadone

Sempai Adam Hagadone, Junior Shodan (probationary), is MKDH’s first junior black belt.  He started MKDH when he was 6 years-old, now, 6 years later, through his hard work and increasing maturity, he has earned his black belt.

Sensei Jordan Silva

Sensei Jordan Silva, 4th Dan, is primarily a Japan International Karate Center (JIKC) student. He has been practicing karate for over 20 years. He also has experience in Judo, Ju-Jitsu, and other various martial arts. He had first met Roberts Sensei upon entering the Unversity of Hawaii at Manoa in 2003 and Shihan Minakami about a year later in 2004. He excels in Kobudo (weapons), especially Bo and Sai – which he has learned from Oshiro Shihan.

Sempai Aaron Oshita

Sempai Aaron Oshita, Nidan, is primarily a Japan International Karate Center (JIKC) student. He met Sensei Sean upon entering the University of Hawaii at Manoa in 2006. He excels in Kumite (sparring) and often helps teach our Kumite classes. In 2008  – 2009, he helped MKDH students prepare for IKF’s All Hawaii Tournament in November, in which majority of them went home with a medal. In Spring 2010, he graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.