The Koloa Hongwanji Social Hall buzzed with excitement Friday as the South Chapter of the Longman Gracie Kaua’i group went through their paces under the direction of instructor Aaron Moeller. Bertram Almeida, one of the students in the group that
The Koloa Hongwanji Social Hall buzzed with excitement Friday as the South Chapter of the Longman Gracie Kaua’i group went through their paces under the direction of instructor Aaron Moeller.
Bertram Almeida, one of the students in the group that was sitting out practice due to a nerve injury, said the group is making plans to head to Maui on Feb. 15 to compete in their first tournament since the group formed about two months ago.
To help defray expenses for this upcoming tournament, the South Chapter will be hosting a car wash on Sunday, Jan. 25 at the Macy’s end of Kukui Grove Shopping Center from 9 a.m. to about 1 p.m.
Almeida said ju jitsu is a great way for people to get involved in the community and stay clean (drug free). Two teenagers from the high school are also involved in the program, and although the group’s normal practice schedule conflicts with school, the pair come to practice when they are able to.
Moeller, who is assisted in Koloa by Sage Gasaway, said the South Chapter is a spinoff of the Northshore and Eastside program that was started by head instructor Bruno Ewald who is also the president of Longman Gracie Kaua’i.
The Eastside Chapter which meets in Wailua is headed by instructor Jared Espina and assistant Ryan Eneim.
The South Chapter meets on Wednesdays and Fridays at the Koloa Hongwanji Social Hall from 10 a.m. until about noon.
