WHERE WE STAY:
WHERE WE STAY is a series that looks at BJJ subcultures in unexpected places. For each episode in this series, we poll large groups of grapplers, not just about where they train, but about the local cultures that empower their time on the mat. What you see here is not an exhaustive look, but a little glimpse into the culture of Oahu, HI.
WHERE WE ARE:
Oahu, Hawaii.
WHERE WE TRAIN:
Alliance- (Waipio)
MANO - (Honolulu)
Central Oahu jiu jitsu - (Wahiawa)
Gracie technics - (Honolulu)
Mad Tiger- (Wahiawa)
Boars nest- (Haleiwa)
Caveirinha- 3 branches (Honolulu, central, Kailua)
Atos Honolulu (island jiu jitsu) - Honolulu
Gracie barra- (Honolulu and Ewa beach)
Relson Gracie - (Honolulu)
HNL Jiu Jitsu - (Honolulu)
Silver fox bjj - (Wahiawa)
Sunset bjj - (Haleiwa)
UFC gym - (Honolulu)
Hawaii Elite MMA Academy - (Waipahu)
Sapateiro Jiu Jitsu - (Honolulu)
Seven seas jiu jitsu - (Kailua)
Kahala jiu jitsu - (Honolulu)
Grappling unlimited/ Egan Inoue - (Honolulu) & (Aiea)
Uluaulu - Palolo Valley (Honolulu)
Ron Shiraki Academy (Honolulu)
Workshop (Honolulu)
Trilogy Martial Arts (Pearl City)
WORDS TO DESCRIBE OAHU:
Island-Centric.
Military.
Pineapples.
Mellow.
Suburban.
Relaxing.
Aloha.
Home.
Proud.
Exciting.
Hustle.
Paradise.
Country.
Mecca.
WE ARE UNITED BY:
Jiu Jitsu, the aloha spirit and respect. We are students from all walks of life, we are united by our art. But we are also isolated, so we have to really push each other.
SOME THINGS THE WORLD GETS RIGHT ABOUT US:
Pineapples (we’re the home of the Dole plantation).
Beautiful beaches.
Friendly people.
Year-round summer.
All of the tropical paradise themes (no matter how corny) are correct.
SOME THINGS THE WORLD GETS WRONG ABOUT US:
We are not just military families.
We are not technologically and culturally behind.
We are not just palm trees and paradise. Just like any other place in the world, we have our problems.
We are not all “Hawaiians”. That’s a race and an important culture, so it’s important not to mess that up.
“Hawaiian Pizza” is not Hawaiian.
WHAT WE MISS WHEN WE’RE NOT HERE:
How close everything is.
The hiking trails.
The ocean.
The aloha spirit.
The people. Respect the island and the culture, and the people will show you the same.
PLACES TO VISIT:
Paradise cove (Luau) - Kapolei
Kaneohe Bay Sandbar - Kaneohe
The Diamond Head trail - Honolulu
Turtle Bay - Kahuku
Waimaea Bay - Haleiwa
Manoa Falls trail - Honlulu
Lanikai Beach - Kailua
Sunset Beach - Pupukea
WHERE WE EAT AFTER TRAINING:
Waihaiwa:
Shige’s Saimin Stand
Zippy’s - Chilli
Taqueria El Ranchero
Manoa:
Tropical Tribe for Açaí
Hale’iwa:
Crispy grinds
Hale’iwa bowls - for some Acai
Giovanni’s shrimp truck
Pupukea Grill
Elephant Thai
Masumoto shave ice
Kaneohe:
Waiahole Poi Factory
Honolulu:
Helena’s - for the Pipikaula short ribs, Long rice chicken and Haupia
Kamehameha Bakery - For the Poi glaze donuts
Leonard Bakery - for some Malasadas
VEIN AT KAKAAKO - Itialian focus with local influences
Asato Family Sherbert
Waiola Shave Ice
Kahuku (turtle Bay)
Lei Lei’s Bar & grill
Waipahu:
Tanioka’s for poke.
Leeward Drive-in - the fried noodles plate lunch with teri meat is the winnahs.
Zippy’s for the Zip pac or chili chicken mixed plate.
Highway Inn got some pretty ono plate lunches.
Elena’s restaurant - Some real good filipino food
WHERE WE MEET FRIENDS AND GRAB A DRINK:
Waihaiwa:
Surfer’s Coffee Bar
Home
Taps and Apps
Taqueria El Ranchero
Manoa:
Beer Lab
Village
Mai Tai
Waipahu:
A coconut water or maybe a beer while fishing with friends on the beach.
Chinatown:
Manifest
Honolulu:
Bar Leather Apron
Chez Kenzo
North Shore:
Home in the yard with my Bulldog.