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HAWAII MARTIAL ARTS INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY

HISTORY

The founding of the Hawaii Martial Arts International Society, formally known as the Hawaii Kenpo Jujitsu Society, was officially started in 1995, but it was already beginning to take roots in 1994. In 1994, Professor Jaime Abregana Jr., was living in Las Vegas, Nevada, On November 16, 1994, Prof. Abregana received a call that his father had just died on the Big Island of Hawaii where he just moved after retiring on The Island of Oahu, Hawaii. Professor Abregana and his family decided to move back home to Hawaii. Professor Abregana took over the Ewa Kenpo Karate Club - Hilo branch at that time with over 60 students. Professor Abregana knew that all styles of the martial arts were good, but all have their limitations as well. It was at that time when Professor Abregana wanted something more to enhance the training. He wanted to update and improve the fighting abilities to reflect the modern reality of the streets by being a well-rounded practitioner without forgetting its roots and traditions as was passed down. It was Professor Abregana intentions to see the school grow by modifying the traditional techniques to fit the immediate needs of today. The old system had to be modified to make the techniques more efficient and practical for the changing times. Professor Abregana had made up his mind to make the changes. He knew that he wasn't creating anything new because the basic foundation and technique itself are there. He just had to improvise and modify the techniques by studying the body mechanics and reactions. Giving his students the opportunity to be a well-rounded practitioner in the martial arts.

In 1994, Professor Abregana was talking to Grandmaster Ming Lum who was a good friend of his father. He was seeking advise from Grandmaster Lum about his intentions. He than talked to Professor James Muro and it was at that time that Professor Muro mentioned about cross training and gaining more knowledge in the art. Professor Abregana than remembered when his father told him that all martial arts are good. It is good to know different types of martial arts to gain a full balance of understanding. Professor Muro told Professor Abregana to talk to Grandmaster Sig Kufferath for more advice on this matter. At that time, Grandmaster Kufferath mention about the organization that they have just formed and that Professor Abregana should do the same thing in Hawaii. Especially since Hawaii is the "roots and gateway" for many of the martial artists who moved to the U.S. Mainland. In May of 1995, Grandmaster Peter Choo invited Professor Abregana to his house to discuss this matter. Professor Abregana also had a meeting with Professor Tony Sotero.

Upon returning back to the Big Island of Hawaii Professor Abregana made up his mind to form an organization that would preserve and perpetuate the traditions of our forefathers in the martial arts, yet giving its members the opportunity to grow and increase their knowledge in the martial arts. He than called Grandmasters Ming Lum, Sig Kufferath, Peter Choo, and James Muro to be the first Senior Advisors for the Organization.

Professor Jaime Abregana Jr., then consulted with his assistant's, Jason Abregana, Ronald Abregana and Robin Tanudra and later contacted Tony Sotero to help organized the Society. All four supported the idea 100%. Professor Abregana officially founded the Hawaii Kenpo Jujitsu Society in June 1995. When Professor Abregana moved to the island of Oahu, Professor Joseph Kutzen also supported the idea and joined the Society. On October 11, 1995, the first official board meeting where held at Professor Abregana residence. The first board members for the Society were Jaime Abregana Jr., Jason Abregana, Ronald Abregana, Robin Tanudra, Tony Sotero, Joseph Kutzen, John Pagdilao and Don Tingcang.

The Society was then starting to encounter challenges from outside of the Society from those who didn't understand the purposes and goals of the Society. There have been both positive and negative responses towards the Society. We were being labeled as a fly-by-night thing, which have occurred in the past with other organizations here in Hawaii. Professor Abregana wasn't about to give up. Professor Abregana personally felt that even though we are teachers in the martial arts, we must also remember that we are still students, always seeking better ways to improve our training and execution because the learning never stops. Especially since no organization in Hawaii has address real issues of importance in an organization, but were only seeking personal growth for most of them. We were dealing with over 50 years of challenges and issues. This is a chore that many would prefer to bury under ground, but the fleas do come with the dog. Professor Abregana agree that some things should just be buried, but it keeps coming up and sooner or later, we have no choice but to deal with it NOW so that the next generation of Society Members are free to expand their knowledge without fears from the past.

The Hawaii Martial Arts International Society had it's first general board meeting in February 1996. The goals of the Society is to unite all interested practitioners with the common interest of preserving and perpetuating our roots and traditions for the cultural and educational purposes that have been passed down to us this very day, to prepare the next generation to come, bringing together all practitioners of all disciplines together with the common goal of sharing their knowledge and promoting unity and respect among the brotherhood. Giving its members the opportunity to enhance their knowledge and training to be a well-rounded practitioner in the martial arts for the changing of times without forgetting their roots and traditions, as was past down. One must learn to respect and appreciate other disciplines of the martial arts.

In 2003, the Executive Board had agreed to take on the name, the Hawaii Martial Arts International Society, to represent all the different styles and due to the growth of members internationally.--Jaime Abregana Jr. 22:25, 6 April 2011 (UTC)