Honolulu Uechi Ryu Karate Do Club

nd ​​within the Kata against an attacking partner. Kote Kitai, Ashi Kitae: Arm and Leg Conditioning
Kyu & Dan Kumite - Pre-arranged ​Sparring
Jiyu Kumite - Free Sparring​​​

We adhere to the recommended Time in Rank grading criteria as listed in The Blackbelt Test Guide written by our Senior Grandmaster, founder of the IUKF, George E. We are proud members of the International Uechi-Ryu Karate Federation (IUKF). Additional Curriculum: Traditional Jujutsu for Self Defense, Stick Fighting, Kung Fu, Strength Training.
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Frequently Asked Questions:

Are there any fees? We are a not-for-profit dojo. We accept donations from our students, on an annual dues' basis, to help defray the cost of insurance, IUKF annual membership, and miscellaneous overhead. The suggested donation is $90 per year. There is a $100 certificate fee for any Blackbelt promotions, but this is paid directly to the IUKF prior to testing. Lower rank testing is free, although diligence, hard work, and sweat are required. Can you teach my child?

​​​​Children over the age of 11 years of age may participate, but a parent must remain throughout the class as an observer or participant. ​​We do not function as a glorified day-care center. As a not-for-profit school, we can afford to be selective about who we teach. We only accept students of good character who are genuinely interested in learning the way of Karate. How often should I train? You can train one day or two with us in class. It’s up to you. You will progress faster if you attend every weekend session. An active practitioner should also train by themselves a couple of times per week. Some people train every day. Weekly IUKF online training sessions are also available for our dues-paying members, at no additional cost. What is the enrollment process? Send me an email introducing yourself and letting me know why you want to train with us. This isn’t a business. We do take safety seriously and have an enrollment form that you are required to fill in, so we have some information about you. The enrollment form also includes a waiver, signifying that you're healthy enough to participate and that you take responsibility for your own safety. We would like your email address so we can let you know about unforeseen and coming events. We also need to know who to contact in the unlikely event of an accident. Do you have any rules? Yes, we do have a few rules: Show respect to one another. Show up on time and wear clean workout clothes. Train hard, but don't hurt yourself or one another. Don't display a bad attitude. Try to be a productive and contributing member of the club. Assist beginners and set a good example. Don't get into fights outside of the dojo. If you tend to be an angry person, prone to illogical bouts of violence or seething with aggression, perhaps attend some anger management classes. Then, come back when you've learned to control your emotions and to think rationally. Or not. Maybe that would be better. We don't get paid to fix damaged personalities. In fact, we don't get paid at all. Do I need a uniform? Not for regular training outside in the park Shorts/T-shirts/Sweatpants/Gi Pants are fine for that. For inside the dojo, or special occasions, yes. When wearing a full dogi, a belt is considered proper. When not wearing a full dogi, a belt might be considered slightly ostentatious by some. A a belt is really designed to keep your dogi closed. Not designed so you can puff up your ego. No matter your rank, leave the belt at home for normal workouts. Who is the instructor? Albert J. Cloutier, Shihan - began training in Karate in 1974. He holds blackbelts in Uechi-Ryu Karate (Godan), Traditional Japanese Jujutsu (Shoden Mokuroku), and has practiced Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu Iaido for several years. He is also a novice practitioner in a couple other arts. Al started Honolulu Uechi-Ryu in 2010 as informal study group in the park. Since that time, it has grown into a well-respected dojo in Hawaii - with long distance students in Australia and Japan.
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​Al's main teachers over the years have been:
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​Ron Wanderlich (Isshin-Ryu 1974 -1976)
Rollie Hardwick (Uechi Ryu 1976-1978)
School of Hard-Knocks (Unaffiliated Ronin from1980 - ​2012)
Henry Thom (Uechi-Ryu 2012 - Present)
Wayne Muromoto (Takeuchi-Ryu Jujutsu - Muso Jikiden Eishin-Ry Iai 2017 - Present​)​
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Al has also trained with the following instructors at various seminars or during visits:
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​​​​​George E Mattson (10th Dan - Uechi-Ryu)
​Haruyoshi Shimabukuro (8th Dan - Uechi-Ryu)
​Arcenio Advincula (10th Dan - Isshin-Ryu)
Daniel Bandieri (8th Dan - Uechi-Ryu)
Tino Ceberano​ ​​(9th Dan Goju-Kai)
​Buzz Durkin (10th Dan - Uechi-Ryu)
Judy Durkin (9th Dan - Uechi-ryu)
​​Jimmy Malone (10th Dan - Uechi-Ryu)
​James Thompson (10th Dan - Uechi-Ryu)
Darin Yee (10th Dan - Uechi-Ryu)
​Bob Bethony (10th Dan - Uechi-Ryu)
​Al Wharton (10th Dan Uechi-Ryu)
​Leyn Burrows​ (9th Dan - Uechi-Ryu)
​Tracy Rose (9th Dan - Uechi-Ryu)
​Art Rabesa​ (10th Dan - Uechi-Ryu)
​Roy Bedard (7th Dan - Uechi-Ryu)
Keiran Tong (Sifu -Tai Chi - Kung-fu)
Etty Nomura ​(Sifu - Wu Dang - Kung-fu)
Allen Bennett (​9th Dan - Uechi-Ryu)
Amanda Bennett (7th Dan - Uechi-Ryu)
Richard Bennett (6th Dan - Uechi-Ryu)
Paul Swift (7th Dan - Uechi-Ryu)
Jerry McDonald (7th Dan - Uechi-Ryu)

Al believes that the practice of martial arts should develop a person's character and instill important values. Everything a person learns in the dojo; they should be able to apply everyday life. This is much more important than merely learning how to fight. It is more valuable to develop the following:
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Jin: benevolence
Gi: honor or justice
Rei: etiquette or politeness
Chi: wisdom
Shin: sincerity
Chu: loyalty
Koh: piety or humanity
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Al feels fortunate that, at 65 years old, he is training daily, is still learning new things, and working hard to pass on the treasures of Uechi-Ryu​ Karate and Budo to students in Hawaii, Japan, and Australia. Assistant Instructors are Eric Swanson - Sandan, Mark Wilding - Nidan, Jashua Walker -Nidan. We are fortunate to have Sifu/Guro Joey Paman as a teacher of Arnis and Ngo Ho Southern Shaolin Kung-fu. He holds advanced teaching rank in these two arts. He also holds a Shodan in Uechi-Ryu. These gentlemen are the future of Uechi-Ryu in Hawaii. I think the future looks very bright indeed!