LIHU‘E — Empowering and strengthening the community took a literal turn Oct. 8 with a self-defense seminar at the Kaua‘i War Memorial Convention Hall. “Who Can? You Can. Stop Domestic Violence” is the theme of October Domestic Violence Prevention and
LIHU‘E — Empowering and strengthening the community took a literal turn Oct. 8 with a self-defense seminar at the Kaua‘i War Memorial Convention Hall.
“Who Can? You Can. Stop Domestic Violence” is the theme of October Domestic Violence Prevention and Awareness Month. “We Can” was the theme of the event hosted by the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney and the YWCA of Kaua‘i.
County Prosecuting Attorney Shaylene Iseri-Carvalho and YWCA of Kaua‘i Executive Director Renaé Hamilton kicked off the event as the first of several in Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
The two organizations partnered with the Kalaheo Kajukenbo Self-Defense Institute led by Professor Paul Parongao and Sigung Vincent Parongao.
Participants included women and men of all ages and from all-around the island. There were many mothers and daughters present.
Sibak Fred Wong motivated the participants through warm-up exercises and then with basic self-defense techniques prepared for any level.
Sifu Manny Neves delivered the curriculum that was specifically designed for the seminar that included common real life situational attacks and essential lifesaving techniques to survive a physical attack, escape, and call 911 for help.
Kalheo K.S.D.I. volunteers included Sigung Joe Tehero, Sifu Vernon Parongao, Sibak Lianne Parongao, Sihing Ken Abigania, Sihing Marlon Ibaan, Sihing Macey Parongao, Sihing Sheri Majewski, and Sihing Mikayla Claiborne.
Iseri-Carvalho emphasized the importance of reaching out to the community by uniting, empowering, and strengthening the community with events like these. She said prevention efforts touch the hearts of the community and giving hope and inspiration to a safer and much happier life for the people on Kaua‘i.
The thought of the day was, “It is better to know how and not have to, than to have to and not know how.”
