ATLANTA — Leilani “Lani” Manera, 13, formerly of Hanamaulu and currently attending the American International School in Brussels, Belgium, attained a very prestigious honor on the mainland when she was awarded a gold medal at The Battle of Atlanta karate
ATLANTA — Leilani “Lani” Manera, 13, formerly of Hanamaulu and currently attending the American International School in Brussels, Belgium, attained a very prestigious honor on the mainland when she was awarded a gold medal at The Battle of Atlanta karate tournament.
Lani won first place in the 12-13 year old Girl’s Black Belt Class A – Traditional Forms Division at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta on July 24-25. The event, sanctioned by the North American Sport Karate Association, boasts one of the largest and best groups of competitors at any open karate event in the world. Past observers have included Chuck Norris, Jean Claude Van Damme and Evander Hoyfield.
Lani’s father, Mario, is a 1979 graduate of Kaua‘i High School. He joined up with the Air Force after high school and has been living on the mainland and in Europe since, in order to fulfill military commitments. He has since retired, but continues to work for the Air Force as a civilian at Dobbins Air Reserve Base in Marietta, Ga.
Lani and her mother, Tracy, live in Brussels where Tracy also works for the military.
Mario is currently the TaeKwon-Do instructor in Georgia for the city of Kennesaw’s Parks and Recreation Department. Aside from learning an effective form of self-defense, students are taught the original TaeKwon-Do tenets of courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control and indominable spirit.
Additionally, students learn confidence, responsibility, leadership and discipline. All of these aspects, when applied to their lifestyle, can help the individuals become better citizens.
Lani still has ohana on Kaua‘i, including Chamber of Commerce member Carol Texeira, Mario’s sister.
