True Meaning of Ohana

The word “ohana” is part of of Hawaiian culture and means “family in an extended sense of the term including blood-related, adoptive or intentional. It emphasizes that family are bound together and members must cooperate and remember one another.”

At our school, Ohana has real meaning and we take it seriously.

When you join our family, we intend to take care of you – inside and outside the dojo. We intend to support and assist you in becoming a better human – in all areas of life, not just martial arts. It creates a richness and fullness of life. Most of the people we meet and train with we would have never have met without our shared Kaju AZ experience. Very few of us are blood related and yet we will go to all ends of the earth to help and love you. We are truly blessed to have this association.

It’s always inspirational to see a demonstration of the true meaning of ohana. Saturday, a group of Lim Kenpo Karate students were testing at their third (and final) testing event for the upcoming Black Belt event this weekend. As in our own Kaju AZ testing, the goal is always to push testers to their limits…not in a cruel way, although to outsiders it may seem that way...but to see what comes out of them when they are at their mental and physical limits.

It wasn’t just the testers that were “tested” on Saturday. There was a test of “Ohana strength” as well.



One of the testers was petite in stature and it was difficult for her to manage the 25 pound backpack that was required to be worn during the testing. Imagine the stress of remembering the material, preparing physically and emotionally and then having to add the extra weight! She was struggling. It was uplifting to see a member of her Ohana quietly and without reservation, holding the weight up behind her. Later, when she struggled to stand with the pack, several other Ohana members assisted her. There were other examples that day…a young student who forgot her material (who among us has never done that?) was assisted by a black belt who got out on the test floor and did the material with her. The testers represented a small number of the attendees – there were four times as many supporters observing, cheering and helping in any way possible.



True Ohana was there this weekend at the BJJ Tournament too. The cheering, the hugs, the encouragement, seeing your Ohana and instructors on your Team makes a difference in any one’s performance.

It’s easy to say we are part of an Ohana and tout the inherent benefits. Visitors to our school sense it the minute they walk in and many want to be a part of it immediately.

True Ohana members are often unsung heroes that support and sustain our endeavors to succeed. Being a true Ohana member is often not convenient, as each of us have busy lives. Being a true Ohana member involves sacrifice and pushing aside our own desires at times. It can involve giving up our precious free time (or birthday evening) to come and support a tester or our valuable resources to prepare a meal for the potluck.

I am big believer in that the more I give, the more I get. It’s simple to me and I want to give more than I take. I have been supported by more Ohana than I can begin to name throughout my life and martial arts experience. Sometimes it was cheering for me at a test. Or spending extra training time with me. Or having a great uki who helped me when I had nothing to give. Or an injured student coming to lend a hand where possible or support during a test. Or a short email commenting on a class I taught. Or a great job pat on the back. Or someone taking out the trash or asking what can be done around the dojo. The instances are numerous….and in all cases, I am always honored.

There is something so special, so unique, so wonderful about witnessing true Ohana in action. It inspires me to do more and be better. Kaju AZ has infinite possibilities of true Ohana each and every day…each and every class…each and every student. I challenge each of you to reach outside your comfort zone, look around and see what you can do to exemplify true Ohana.

Sifu Jennifer Corder