From left, Jason Monnett, Samantha Monnett, Andy Pike, Dave Barca and Japan Karate Shotokai Hawaii Chief Instructor Charles Lee celebrate after the examinations.

LAHAINA – The Lahaina Dojo of the Japan Karate Shotokai, a traditional martial arts school, held Dan (black belt) examinations on Sept. 7 at Lahaina Civic Center.

Under the watchful gaze of JKS Hawaii Chief Instructor Charles Lee, Seventh Dan, of Honolulu, and Lahaina Chief Instructor Walter Chihara (Fourth Dan) and Instructor Glen Delatori (Second Dan), four Lahaina Dojo students ranging in age from ten to 71 went through the mentally and physically grueling testing to achieve the milestone rankings.

The examinations included kihon (basic) techniques, kata (forms) and kumite (controlled sparring).

Jason Monnett, 10, is a fifth-grader at Princess Nahi’ena’ena Elementary School, and his sister, Samantha Monnett, is a 13-year-old eighth-grader at Lahaina Intermediate School. Both have been practicing karate at the Lahaina Dojo for four years, and they both passed the Shodan (first degree black belt) requirements in the testing.

The oldies but goodies on this exam day were Andy Pike, 47, a server at Duke’s Beach House and surf school instructor who has been training at the Lahaina Dojo for 30 years; and Realtor Dave Barca, who at age 71 has been practicing Shotokan Karate Do for a span of 43 years at both Lahaina and Wailuku Dojos.

Both Barca and Pike tested and passed the standards for Nidan (second degree black belt).

Following the examinations, Lee Sensei made technical adjustments to the testing students’ effort and implored them to be diligent in their future course in the martial arts.

“Always try to make improvements in your technique and strive to always practice consistently,” he said.

Congratulations to all!