Kids' confidence just a kick away
By Zenaida Serrano
Advertiser Staff Writer
Rebecca Breyer • The Honolulu Advertiser
Alexandria Allen's messy blonde ponytail and disheveled karate uniform were signs of another kick-butt session last week at the Nu'uanu YMCA.
Aurora Peneku, 8, of Wai'anae, gets a lesson from James Kerr, instructor of the Karate Kids Program at the Nu'uanu YMCA. Kerr wants children to know some type of self-defense program as a safety measure.
"Little Alex," as the nearly 4-foot-1-inch tall 7-year-old was affectionately called in class, followed every punch and kick with a mighty, "A-Ya! A-Ya!"
"It's so much fun," said the Voyager Charter School second-grader. "I'm really, like, alive in class."
Alex is a two-year student of the Karate Kids Program, just one of many martial arts schools islandwide that offer children's classes this summer, as well as year round. The schools emphasize the importance of self-defense and self-confidence, among other things.
"For girls, especially, I think it's important for them to know self-defense, especially in this day and age," said Alex's mother, Joyce Allen, a 43-year-old legal assistant from downtown Honolulu.
The mastery of self and confidence that come with karate study are a good foundation for making your child safe in a climate of exploitation, abuse and abduction, said James Kerr, Karate Kids founder and senior instructor.
"I really feel it's a parent's responsibility for their children's safety," said Kerr, whose students range from 3 to 18 years old. "I don't think we can or should depend wholly on law enforcement or schools to keep our children safe in this world."
Kerr, who is also president of the Honolulu-based SuperGeeks computer consulting company, encourages parents to consider enrolling their children in some type of self-defense program. Children should be taught to be careful, be cautious and, if necessary, to fight back, he said.
"Encourage your children to trust their instincts," Kerr said. "Teach them what to do and practice with them."
At the Smith Tae Kwon Do Inc. school in Kane'ohe, martial arts techniques are taught to children to emphasize the importance of being alert and aware of their surroundings, said Bob Smith, head instructor and a certified instructor with the National Security Alliance.
But learning martial arts isn't just a form of safety and protection.
"It's not just teaching them self-defense," Allen said while watching Alex and her seven classmates spar with each other. "Mr. Kerr teaches them how to respect each other, how to be confident and the importance of academics."
Other benefits include self-control, physical fitness, focus and discipline, Kerr said.
"It also helps with their self-esteem, which seems to be a growing problem with children," said Smith, former president of the Hawai'i State Tae Kwon Do Association, and North American light heavyweight kickboxing champion. "They face pressures and they get involved with the wrong things."
While lessons abound in each class, both Kerr and Smith keep their pupils' ages in mind.
"We do it in a way that kids have fun doing it," Smith said.
Reach Zenaida Serrano at zserrano@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-8174.
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James Kerr, instructor of the Karate Kids Program at the Nu'uanu YMCA, offers children these basic tips to stay safe: • Don't act like a victim. Walk confidently, be aware of people around you and notice anyone approaching you. • Trust your gut. If something seems wrong, avoid it. If someone or something feels scary, leave. Go to a safe place or at least a place where there are other people. • Make noise to attract attention. If someone won't let you leave, yell. If no one notices, try to trigger a fire alarm. They are often inside doors in buildings and they are always in elevators. • Don't go anywhere with anyone you don't know. Fight back. Eye pokes, finger breaks and horse bites are easy defensive moves.
Defense moves any kid can learn James Kerr of the Karate Kids Program at the Nu'uanu YMCA, offers the following list of defensive moves that any child can easily learn: Horse bite: Grab the fleshy part of your attacker's underarm or inner thigh and pinch and twist with all your power. It hurts a lot and might be just enough to loosen the attacker's grip on you. Eye poke: Stiffen your thumb or first two fingers and ram them deeply into the attacker's eye. This technique is the quickest and perhaps most effective way to stop a large attacker. It will send him or her reeling and give you time to get away. Finger breaks: Grab your attacker's finger and jerk it all the way to the back of his or her hand. Think of it as ripping a leg off the chicken for dinner. Be forceful. Be confident. Bend it all the way back. Groin strike: It doesn't matter if you use your knee, your fist or some other weapon, hit the groin and hit it hard. Kneecap strike: Think of it as a bull's-eye. A good square kick to your attacker's kneecap will slow him or her down to a hobble. Fight dirty: Your goal is to survive. This means there are no rules. Throw sand in your attacker's eyes, stab him or her with your pen or house key, rake his or her face with your fingernails, and bite if you have to. Keep screaming: If there are people around, scream something with meaning, such as, "This is not my dad!" or "Help! He's hurting me!" "I don't know this guy!" is probably the most important thing you can say, Kerr said. "Many people witness abductions and do not interfere because they think it's a family matter."
Safety tips for kids
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Just a few places on O'ahu offering martial arts classes for children
Rebecca Breyer • The Honolulu Advertiser
Some martial arts programs that offer children's classes
From left, Alex Mitchell, 8, of Kane'ohe, and Treasure Peneku, 9, of Wai'anae, team up for some karate exercises at the Nu'uanu YMCA.
Capoeira Hawai'i
• Brazilian martial arts, year round. For ages 5-12.
• Noon Saturdays
• 1007 Waimanu St., Honolulu
• Fee: $50/month
• Details: 732-0178
Hawaiian Kajukenbo Association
• Year round
• Little dragons, ages 4-6: 5-5:30 p.m. or 5:30-6 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays
• Youth program, ages 7-13: 6-7 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays, 9-10 a.m. Saturdays; also, 8-9 a.m. Saturdays (advanced, weapons class)
• Mililani Rec Center V
• Fee: varies
• Details: 626-2807 or 222-3860, www.hawaiiankajukenbo.com
Karate Kids Program
• Year round; for ages 3-18 (classes for varying levels)
• 4:30-5:15 p.m., 5:15-6 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays
• 4:15-4:45 p.m., 4:45-5:15 p.m., 5:15-6 p.m. Wednesdays
• 10:30-11 a.m., 11-11:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m., 12:15-1 p.m. Saturdays
• Nu'uanu YMCA
• Fee: $15 per class; financial aid available
• Details: www.karate-kids.com or 778-7117
Relson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu
• Year round
• For ages 6-15: 5:45-7:15 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays
• 46-174 Kahuhipa St., Kane'ohe
• Fee: $60/month
• Details: 387-1961 or www.kaneoheteam.com
• Also, for ages 7-17: 4-5 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, and 10-11 a.m. Saturdays
• 844 Queen St., Honolulu
• Fee: $40/month for 4 classes; $60/month for unlimited classes; $7 for each additional class
• Details: 589-2524 or www.relsongracie.com
Smith Tae Kwon Do
• Summer program. For ages 4-14.
• 3-4 p.m., 4-5 p.m., 5-6 p.m. Mondays,Wednesdays and Fridays, or Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays
• June 1-Sept. 1
• 45-1052 Kamehameha Highway, Kane'ohe
• Fee: $150, includes three full months of instruction
• Details: www.smithtaekwondo.com or 247-3114
