Hawaiian Seminar 2004

August 11 to 14 saw the 7th bi-annual Hawaiian Training Seminar take place in Honolulu under the guidance and instruction of Shihan Bobby Lowe.

A small but enthusiastic group of 15 students from our organization attended, along with about 40 other people from the U.S., Australia, Brazil and Japan.

Training during the 3 hour classes was spirited with the all the facets of Kyokushin karate being covered. Shihan Lowe guided the classes through the daily study of kihon, with a special system for the application and use of kihon being introduced on the last day. Putsai dai and the nihanchi kata’s, now named the tekki kata’s, were studied every class, with the new changes being introduced from the start. The tensho kata and its applications were also covered.

Naturally there were practice sessions for goshin jitsu and gyaku te every class, with the 32 moves of the happo kuzushi being covered as well. New to the training sessions was the introduction of 8 combinations designed for the practice of all of the above self defence methods combined.

Shihan Isobe from Brazil led the class through an exciting and difficult routine of combinations that included both the hands and the feet, not to mention our numbed minds!

Also assisting in the instruction and warm ups were the following Branch Chiefs. Shihan Nick Cujic from Sydney Australia, Shihan Leslaw Samitowski from Chicago, Shihan Toda from Japan, Shihan Katsu Gorai from New York, Sensei Ralph Burd from Melbourne, and finally our own Shihan Stuart Corrigal. Also assisting were Honolulu students Shihan Herb Ushida, Sensei Glen Oyama and Sempai Dean Harada.

An announcement was made introducing a DVD/CD Rom in the works that documents the life’s work of Shihan Lowe. This production, soon to be available, includes many valuable technical studies as well as a pictorial archive from the early years of Kyokushin. Presented in a unique form with the reader being able to actually thumb through the pages of Shihans original book will make this an indispensable tool for the avid karateka.

On the social side, the trip to Hawaii this year was unique, with only 19 Canadians in total there. (an unusually small number compared to past trips) This allowed everyone to relax and concentrate on participating in any personal events or excursions desired. Shihan Lowe’s sister Ellen and brother in law Artie, well known to many of us Canadians, opened their home to everyone on one memorable evening. Many thanks! Other instances of generosity directed to various members of our entourage came from the Hawaiian Kyokushin students, Sensei Burd of Australia and our renowned hosts, the inimitable Shihan Lowe and his family. Thank you all!

This sadly marks the end of the famous Hawaiian Seminars, as Shihan Lowe has assured all there will be no more. Although we are filled with melancholy thinking of days past, we are also filled with gratitude for having those days. Regret can be the reserve of those who never took the opportunity to avail themselves of the teachings of this amazing man and legend. Wisdom will abound for those fortunate to possess even a portion of his knowledge and Success is assured for those who continue to teach and train in those lessons.

Regular classes will continue in Honolulu and all Kyokushin students are welcome to train there at any time. I for one will go. So until we meet again, in the dojo or in Hawaii, Aloha!
Osu,

Terry Price