Albert J. Cloutier - Founder of Honolulu Uechi-Ryu & Head Instructor
Erik D Swanson
Albert J. Cloutier (Al) began training in Karate in 1974. He holds blackbelts in Uechi-Ryu Karate (Yondan), Traditional Japanese Jujutsu (Shodan), and has practiced Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu Iaido for several years. 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. Martial arts practitioners from many different styles and from around the world have come to train with him. 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:
Jin: benevolence
Gi: honor or justice
Rei: etiquette or politeness
Chi: wisdom
Shin: sincerity
Chu: loyalty
Koh: piety or humanity
Al feels fortunate that, at 62 years old, he is training daily, is still learning new things, and working hard to pass on the treasures of Uechi-Ryu Karate-do to his students in Hawaii, Japan, and Australia.
Mark Wilding & Jashua Walker
The Future of Uechi-Ryu in Hawaii....
Jose G Paman - Instructor - Ngo Cho Southern Shaolin Kung-Fu & Kombatan Modern Arnis
Manila, Philippines-born Jose (Joey) Paman has practiced and taught Ngo Cho kung-fu for over 30 years and holds advanced instructor degrees in arnis, karate and jiu-jitsu.
The dynamic art of Ngo Cho kung-fu features the vital elements of five ancestral systems, incorporating the footwork of lo han (Buddhist monk boxing), the hand techniques of pe ho (white crane), leg techniques of tai cho (grand ancestor kung-fu), evasive techniques and palm strikes of che tian ta sien (monkey style) and iron body training of fat chun (the Bodhidharma method).
A sister style of Fujian origins Ngo Cho Kung Fu shares many similarities to Uechi-ryu and Goju-ryu Karate.
The Ngo Cho Kung-Fu method Joey teaches derives from the teachings of two masters: Siensi Co Chi Po, originally from the Kong Han school in Manila's Chinatown, who branched off and taught at the Tong Hong Eastern Athletic Association. The second master Siensi Dee Se Giok, an immigrant to the Philippines from Taiwan, taught a version of ngo cho that emphasized the monkey boxing aspects of the art.
Honolulu Uechi-ryu is fortunate to have Joey training with us for the past couple years. He has been diligently learning Uechi-ryu and also sharing Southern Shaolin Kung-fu and Arnis with us. Typically, our Sunday session will include additional training in Arnis or Ngo Cho, after our regular Uechi-ryu workout.
