Master James has 30 years experience in the martial arts and has served as an AAU (American Athletics Union) certified martial arts coach and tournament judge. Master James has a 4th degree black belt in Hapkido and a 1st degree black belt in Taekwondo Master James owns SuperGeeks. Join him for chess every Wednesday 6:30-8:30 pm at Kahala Mall’s food court. The club is called Kahala Chess. Bring the whole family.
Kevin DeBell was born and raised in Los Angeles California where he began practicing Tae Kwon Do at the age of four. He’s been at it on and off ever since, including competing in and winning several tournaments. He also had his first opprotunity to teach at his home school under Grand Master Vincent Rodericks as he would allow him to run the childrens class on occasion. He recieved his first Dan black belt at 16 years old and continued his training in L.A until he graduated high school and moved to Hawaii in 2005. Once on the island he would continue to train solo as well as with friends until joining smartkarate in December 2009.
Sensei Mike received his 1st dan black belt in Taekwondo from the Kukkiwon in 2001. Since moving to Hawaii in 2003, he has trained in Shorin Ryu Karate, Kickboxing and other styles of martial arts. Martial arts training has been one of the most challenging and rewarding elements of his life.
Sensei Mike enjoys working with computers and is a systems engineer and a SuperGeek. In his spare time he likes to fly gliders and volunteers as a FAA Safety Representative promoting aviation safety. He also participates in the EAA Young Eagles program which gives interested young people, ages 8-17, an opportunity to go flying in a general aviation aircraft free of charge.
Layne is 11 years old. He has been with Smart Karate/Karate Kids since 2003, and was awarded his black belt at age 10 in 2008. He also trains in Judo and has studied Escrima [Filipino stick fighting]. Layne especially likes open hand and weapons forms, and has recently begun competing in local tournaments.
Layne attends Kawananakoa Middle School, and his favorite subjects are Science and Math. He is active in Student Council and plays Clarinet in the Band. When he is not studying or training, Layne likes playing with his iPod and DS; his favorite games are Pokemon, EPW and he likes listening to Green Day.
Sensei Naomi began her martial arts training in 1999 at First Class Martial Arts dojo, under the instruction of Master Dean Beckstein. After seven years of intensive training in Taekwondo, she recieved her black belt at the age of 16. She specializes in sparring technique.
Originally hailing from Connecticut, Naomi moved to Honolulu, Hawai’i in 2007 at the age of 17 to attend the University of Hawai’i to pursue her major of Japanese Translation and Interpretation. Aside from Smart Karate, she is also employed as the undergraduate assistant to the Gender Equity Specialist on campus and spends most evenings cocktail waitressing at the Shorebird Beach Bar in Waikiki. She enjoys surfing, painting, skateboarding, going to concerts and traveling.
Sensei Brieanna was born in San Mateo California and raised in Williamsburg VA and from there she has live all over the creation.
She began to study Martial Arts at a very young age with her entire family with the goal that all achieve black belt status under Master Bob Zacharias of American Tea Kwon Do (ATA).
She achieved her first degree black belt with her two older sisters at age 11. Martial Arts has enabled her to believe first in herself and secondly to place no self-imposed bounds on the possibilities in anything in life. She is not one to accept the arcane but rather expose that all is possible with hard work and integrity. She believes in leading by example and equally excel at the challenge of learning.
She has been teaching children since She was 13, from Martial Arts to Gymnastics, Dance, and competitive Cheerleading. “Kids are awesome, their simple and carefree with such innocent creative spirits.” She thinks teaching and being around them brings out her inner child which she love. Everyone is a kid at heart.
