The seed of Kilohana was planted and watered by Shihan Russ Rhodes (then Sensei Rhodes) and Professor Sig Kufferath in 1990 when Russ gathered his black belts together and informed them of his plan to form an organization. The organization that the two men founded was dubbed the Pacific Coast Association of Kenpo Ju Jitsu, and it was planned that we would grow from within, as our black belts matured and began schools of their own. At that time, our people were competing extensively in the self defense divisions at many of the local tournaments in the San Francisco Bay Area, and, as a result, we were able to showcase the blend of kenpo and ju jitsu that Sig and Russ had put together, Ken Ju Ryu Kenpo Ju Jitsu. Many people were impressed with this blend, and I often fielded questions from people asking how they could affiliate with us. My answer was always the same – “We have no mechanism in place at this time to do so.” When I was asked by Sensei Bob McKean about the possibility of his affiliating with us, I presented it to Prof. Kufferath, and the answer this time was yes, with Sig adding, “if we are going to do this, let’s do it right!”
So it was that on August 11, 1996, the Pacific Coast Kilohana Association charter was signed by Prof. Sig Kufferath, Prof. James Muro, Sensei Russ Rhodes, Sensei Gerald McKenzie, Sensei Al Ikemoto, Sensei Bob Krull, Sensei Hans Ingebretsen, Sensei Bob McKean, Sensei Michael Esmailzadeh, Sensei Dale Kahoun, Sensei Debbie Mazulla, Sensei Jack Carter, Sensei Russ Coehlo, Sensei Kimo Hatchie and Mrs. Pauline Chow-Hoon. That original charter reads in part, “The name Kilohana refers to being made of the finest material. We as founders of Kilohana promise to honor Professor Kufferath and the name Kilohana by always conducting ourselves with honor and integrity, by dedicating ourselves wholly and completely to our training, and by always striving for the perfection of character that true martial study is designed to instill in us. “
We had actually been using the name Kilohana for a couple of years prior. The first event utilizing the name Kilohana was Camp Kilohana, held for the first time in Garberville, California in 1994. It was at that camp that the first three dojos in the association got to know one another – Pacific Coast Academy of Martial Arts, Suigetsukan and Fusuikan. The Pacific Coast Academy was the original hombu dojo, but years later it was changed to Suigetuskan. Eventually, the name Pacific Coast Kiohana Association was changed to Kilohana Martial Arts Association, reflecting the growth of the organization to Europe, where the name “Pacific Coast” would not be as appropriate. The British/European Kilohana, headed originally by Sensei Stephen Nicholls, and now headed by Sensei Andy Manwaring, is now independent of the mother organization, yet we remain bound by our close ties. Though the bulk of the organization still revolves around central/northern California, we are slowly growing and expanding to other areas.
Kilohana has always been involved in cross-training, as exemplified by our ku’I lima workouts, where, in addition to Danzan Ryu, we train in lua, kenpo, eskrima, judo, aikido, kenjitsu, kung fu, silat, and a variety of other arts, striving to enhance one another through sharing of ideas and training methods. This cross-training is also highlighted at the annual Kufferath Masters Seminar, and for a decade was highlighted at the San Jose Gasshuku, which often drew from 200 to 500 attendees, and ran from 1992 to 2001.
One of the other established Kilohana events is the Deep Roots seminar, which features some of the more well-established instructors, and was conceived by Sensei Joa Schwinn. From 1996 to 2009 one of the main events on the Kilohana calendar was Camp Kilohana, which Shihan Richard Pietrelli hosted on his ranch in Carlotta, California, and featured training in the redwoods, at the river, and in the river. The Japanese banquet featured at this camp was legendary. Camp Kilohana has been revived by Sensei Matt Olson, and it is now held bi-annually at Whiskeytown Lake, held only on the years when the Danzan Ryu ‘Ohana event is not being held, thus not taking any focus away from the ‘Ohana event. Kilohana co-hosted the 2014 ‘Ohana in Santa Clara, California with The Pacific Jujitsu Association, which is headed by Prof. Bob McKean. Other Kilohana functions have included the Kilohana Kenpo ‘Ohana and the Kilohana Filipino Martial Arts Gathering.
One of the biggest Kilohana projects was tackled by Prof. Dale Kahoun and Prof. Kufferath. Dale sat down with Sig and, over the course of a couple years, developed the Kilohana Workbook, which is basically our Danzan Ryu Kata Manual, with the versions of techniques preferred by Prof. Kufferath, as well as variations that he deemed acceptable for rank testing. Each copy is signed and numbered. Prof. Kufferath, of course, had number one, and Dale has number two.
Kilohana has focused extensively on seifukujitsu, restorative healing arts, spearheaded by Prof. James Muro and Prof. Rowdy Hall. Our organization rotates the presidency ever two years. The current president is Prof. Mike Tucker. Past presidents include Prof. Rowdy Hall, Grand Master Arthur Gonzalez, Sensei Jonathan Largent, Prof. Hans Ingebretsen, Prof. Mike Esmailzadeh, Prof. James Muro, Prof. Russ Coelho and Shihan Russ Rhodes. Our committee of Senior Advisors includes Great Grandmaster Ralph Castro, Grandmaster Max Togisala, Professor Libert O’Sullivan, ‘Olohe Solomon Kaihewalu,, Grandmaster Bob Maschmeier, Professor James Muro and Professor Tom Jenkins. Before their passing, Great Grandmasters Ming Lum and Al Novak, and Prof. Charlie Robinson were also Kilohana Senior Advisors. Kilohana now has 17 charter schools, and 13 affiliate schools.
In 2008 we held our own Ku’I Lima Danzan Ryu Okugi class,, and we continue to hone our ju jitsu by holding an annual DZR black belt weekend at Suigetsukan in Oakland, CA, and by visiting one another’s schools often. We strive to support the other DZR organizations, and continue to work at preserving the legacy of Professor Henry Okazaki and the great ju jitsu system he founded. As we hit this 20 year mark, we look forward to many more years of cross-training and commraderie, with the knowledge that by continuing to build our martial community we are building upon the past for a better tomorrow.
Written by Hans Ingebretsen
So it was that on August 11, 1996, the Pacific Coast Kilohana Association charter was signed by Prof. Sig Kufferath, Prof. James Muro, Sensei Russ Rhodes, Sensei Gerald McKenzie, Sensei Al Ikemoto, Sensei Bob Krull, Sensei Hans Ingebretsen, Sensei Bob McKean, Sensei Michael Esmailzadeh, Sensei Dale Kahoun, Sensei Debbie Mazulla, Sensei Jack Carter, Sensei Russ Coehlo, Sensei Kimo Hatchie and Mrs. Pauline Chow-Hoon. That original charter reads in part, “The name Kilohana refers to being made of the finest material. We as founders of Kilohana promise to honor Professor Kufferath and the name Kilohana by always conducting ourselves with honor and integrity, by dedicating ourselves wholly and completely to our training, and by always striving for the perfection of character that true martial study is designed to instill in us. “
We had actually been using the name Kilohana for a couple of years prior. The first event utilizing the name Kilohana was Camp Kilohana, held for the first time in Garberville, California in 1994. It was at that camp that the first three dojos in the association got to know one another – Pacific Coast Academy of Martial Arts, Suigetsukan and Fusuikan. The Pacific Coast Academy was the original hombu dojo, but years later it was changed to Suigetuskan. Eventually, the name Pacific Coast Kiohana Association was changed to Kilohana Martial Arts Association, reflecting the growth of the organization to Europe, where the name “Pacific Coast” would not be as appropriate. The British/European Kilohana, headed originally by Sensei Stephen Nicholls, and now headed by Sensei Andy Manwaring, is now independent of the mother organization, yet we remain bound by our close ties. Though the bulk of the organization still revolves around central/northern California, we are slowly growing and expanding to other areas.
Kilohana has always been involved in cross-training, as exemplified by our ku’I lima workouts, where, in addition to Danzan Ryu, we train in lua, kenpo, eskrima, judo, aikido, kenjitsu, kung fu, silat, and a variety of other arts, striving to enhance one another through sharing of ideas and training methods. This cross-training is also highlighted at the annual Kufferath Masters Seminar, and for a decade was highlighted at the San Jose Gasshuku, which often drew from 200 to 500 attendees, and ran from 1992 to 2001.
One of the other established Kilohana events is the Deep Roots seminar, which features some of the more well-established instructors, and was conceived by Sensei Joa Schwinn. From 1996 to 2009 one of the main events on the Kilohana calendar was Camp Kilohana, which Shihan Richard Pietrelli hosted on his ranch in Carlotta, California, and featured training in the redwoods, at the river, and in the river. The Japanese banquet featured at this camp was legendary. Camp Kilohana has been revived by Sensei Matt Olson, and it is now held bi-annually at Whiskeytown Lake, held only on the years when the Danzan Ryu ‘Ohana event is not being held, thus not taking any focus away from the ‘Ohana event. Kilohana co-hosted the 2014 ‘Ohana in Santa Clara, California with The Pacific Jujitsu Association, which is headed by Prof. Bob McKean. Other Kilohana functions have included the Kilohana Kenpo ‘Ohana and the Kilohana Filipino Martial Arts Gathering.
One of the biggest Kilohana projects was tackled by Prof. Dale Kahoun and Prof. Kufferath. Dale sat down with Sig and, over the course of a couple years, developed the Kilohana Workbook, which is basically our Danzan Ryu Kata Manual, with the versions of techniques preferred by Prof. Kufferath, as well as variations that he deemed acceptable for rank testing. Each copy is signed and numbered. Prof. Kufferath, of course, had number one, and Dale has number two.
Kilohana has focused extensively on seifukujitsu, restorative healing arts, spearheaded by Prof. James Muro and Prof. Rowdy Hall. Our organization rotates the presidency ever two years. The current president is Prof. Mike Tucker. Past presidents include Prof. Rowdy Hall, Grand Master Arthur Gonzalez, Sensei Jonathan Largent, Prof. Hans Ingebretsen, Prof. Mike Esmailzadeh, Prof. James Muro, Prof. Russ Coelho and Shihan Russ Rhodes. Our committee of Senior Advisors includes Great Grandmaster Ralph Castro, Grandmaster Max Togisala, Professor Libert O’Sullivan, ‘Olohe Solomon Kaihewalu,, Grandmaster Bob Maschmeier, Professor James Muro and Professor Tom Jenkins. Before their passing, Great Grandmasters Ming Lum and Al Novak, and Prof. Charlie Robinson were also Kilohana Senior Advisors. Kilohana now has 17 charter schools, and 13 affiliate schools.
In 2008 we held our own Ku’I Lima Danzan Ryu Okugi class,, and we continue to hone our ju jitsu by holding an annual DZR black belt weekend at Suigetsukan in Oakland, CA, and by visiting one another’s schools often. We strive to support the other DZR organizations, and continue to work at preserving the legacy of Professor Henry Okazaki and the great ju jitsu system he founded. As we hit this 20 year mark, we look forward to many more years of cross-training and commraderie, with the knowledge that by continuing to build our martial community we are building upon the past for a better tomorrow.
Written by Hans Ingebretsen
