Pictured at the presentation are (from left) Jason Monnett, Samantha Monnett, JKS USA/Hawaii Chief Instructor Charles Lee, David Barca and Andrew Pike.

LAHAINA – Four students of the Lahaina Dojo of the Japan Karate Shotokai, a traditional martial arts organization, were recently presented with the Dan (Black Belt) Certificates they earned in examinations held last year.

Japan Karate Shotokai USA and Hawaii Chief Instructor Charles Lee flew in from Honolulu to make the presentations to Lahaina Dojo students Jason Monnett, Samantha Monnett, Andrew Pike and David Barca.

Jason is a ten-year-old fifth-grader at Princess Nahi’ena’ena Elementary School, and big sister Samantha, 13, is an eighth-grader at Lahaina Intermediate School. Both were presented with Shodan (First Degree) Certificates brought to Hawaii from the organization’s headquarters in Japan by Lee Sensei. They have been practicing karate for four years.

Pike, who has been training with Lahaina Dojo for 32 years and works at Duke’s Beach House, was presented with his Nidan (Second Degree) Certificate.

Barca, a West Maui Realtor who has been practicing with Lahaina Dojo for 42 years, also received a Nidan Certificate.