Fighting in name of the Lord

By Seabrook Mow
Special to The Advertiser

There is a martial arts school in Kalihi where students are taught round-house kicks and right crosses to the solar plexus, all in the Lord's name.

Under the watchful eye of instructor Marjie Ledgerwood, 11-year-old Nathan Young, left, and 7-year-old Solomon Dixon practice for this week's World Championship Martial Arts Competition in New Orleans. Gregory Yamamoto • The Honolulu Advertiser

"We use karate as a platform to spread the gospel," said Rachel Yasui, 34, a first-degree Keichu-Do black belt instructor.

Keichu-Do, which means to "devote one's self entirely to the way," teaches a hybrid form of martial arts which includes karate, judo, jiu-jitsu, American wrestling and street fighting techniques, all while emphasizing Christianity.

"I think it's great how there's Bible studies mixed in with the (karate) classes," said Robert Young, 42, a Honolulu physician who enrolled his son Nathan. "It's an application of Christianity in another format."

Young said he believes students have an easier time remembering scriptures because it allows them to associate it with physical activities.

According to Yasui, classes start and end with a prayer and discussion about a scripture that is the focus of the day.

Haeane Ofa, 38, of Kalihi, a floor installer and student, said the school has helped him as well as his son, Tevita.

Ofa said Tevita would punch and hurt other classmates in elementary school. But after taking classes, Tevita now tries to prevent fights among classmates.

"My family has learned a lot of discipline," said Ofa.

Yasui said being a Christian is not required to join the classes.

"Some people just come here to get in shape, or learn to protect themselves and that's fine," Yasui said.

What the center focuses on is strengthening family unity and enlightening one's life.

Every Friday the center, with an enrollment of about 300, holds a family night, which includes watching videos, playing games, sleepovers and reading from the Bible.

But the fun and games end when it comes to competition.

Some members, whose ages range from 3 to somewhere in the 60s, won titles at the Palama Settlement competition earlier this month. Nathan Young, 11, captured the kata (form) division and was junior grand champion.

Next up for a six-member team — Tevita Ofa, Solomon Dixon, Haeane Ofa, Daniel DePinto, Nathan Young, Yasui and coach Marjie Ledgerwood — is the World Championship Martial Arts Competition.

Yasui said this is the first time the Keichu-Do school, which has been in existence for six years, is sending a team.

"I'm very nervous, but you can't show it," said Nathan Young, who practices his kata and weapons kata routine a minimum of 40 times each day.

Young is determined to place among the best, but if he doesn't the trip won't be a total loss.

"I'm still excited to go to Disney World," he said.