WAILUA HOUSELOTS — For 19 students of the Garden Angels who meet in a little dojo here recently, the night was a celebration of their individual accomplishments as they received promotions following a week of testing. “It’s more than sports,”
WAILUA HOUSELOTS — For 19 students of the Garden Angels who meet in a little dojo here recently, the night was a celebration of their individual accomplishments as they received promotions following a week of testing.
“It’s more than sports,” Sifu Pete Gallardo of the Garden Angels explained. “Sports is when we compete. This is about accomplishment and achievement.” As parents watched in silent pride, each of the student went through a ritual where they exchanged their old colored belt for a new one, each demonstrating the respect for not only themselves and the art they practice, but also to the belt that they no longer will own.
A similar ritual follows when they accept the new belt from Gallardo.
“It’s not like what it seems,” Gallardo explained to the audience as he presented Si Hing Joe Ornellas with the cherished black belt.
In exchanging his brown belt for the belt one, Ornellas’ ritual was more expanded as Ornellas performed the traditional salute followed by a short kata where his body firmed in preparation for the blessing that consisted of slaps from the new black belt.
Several of the older students performed the same ritual, and following the presentation of the blue and black belts, each of the recipients went through a symbolic strength ritual that demonstrated their individual strength as a person to the sifu and the audience, the younger students watching in awe.
Ornellas, the sole recipient of a black belt this night, said that he has been helping Gallardo instruct students in the Emperado’s style of kajukenbo martial arts for the past eight years.
“But, I still have plenty more to learn,” the modest Ornellas said as he explained that “Si Hing” means “the highest-ranking student.” “Sifu,” which is Gallardo’s title, is “father,” or “instructor,” and Ornellas said the only other rank higher than sifu is “professor.” The Garden Angels are featured in local competitive events, but are also highly visible in the community, where they host the annual Easter egg hunt at Lydgate Park where thousands of eggs are distributed to island keiki.
They also participate in the annual Lights on Rice parade as a means of giving back to the community, which turns out in large numbers to enjoy the fruits of participating organizations and the resulting lights extravaganza.
To help offset the costs of operating the school, taking care of the students’ needs, and participating ating in the community, Gallardo recently expanded his Wailua ‘ohana to include a pair of dinosaur jumpers he purchased from a friend on the Mainland.
These jumpers were on hand at each of the KPAL (Kaua‘i Police Activities League) flag-football games, and Gallardo said they’re getting booked pretty fast.
The student population of the Angels vary up and down, but Ornellas said it’s pretty strong around 25 members, some leaving to attend school off-island, or getting involved in other activities.
“But, they almost always come back. Pete is real happy about that,” Ornellas said.
“He’s (Gallardo and Ornellas) a really good teacher,” said Laura Lindsey, a parent. “He’s an excellent teacher. We have five of our eight children in the program.
The other three are less than three years old (so are too young).” Lindsey’s children are Sarah, Mary, Thomas, Elizabeth, and Katherine, with four of the five practicing for two years, and Sarah joining for one year, one year spent playing basketball and going to Kamehameha School.
“They (the school) have excellent discipline. And morals, too.
It’s hard to find these days,” Lindsey said as she watched her five children receive their promotions.
