AUGUST 26, 2023

DANIEL CERVELIN | RELSON GRACIE | DR. JIM SCOGGIN Congratulations Dr. Jim Scoggin (30 years of loyalty to Relson Gracie) and Daniel Cervelin (17 years of training at RSA) on achieving the rank of Black Belt. Also, to Chris Laird (30+ years training under Relson Gracie) on attaining the rank of fourth degree Black Belt. You guys are awesome!

Everyone I witnessed go through the process of getting their Black Belt and passing the Relson Gracie test has always made me feel so grateful and happy for them and excited for the future. It is so awesome to be part of the journey from white belt and beyond. I’m glad you guys persevered and are part of RSA. ​I will never forget. ​Thank you RSA Black Belts. ​Also, thank you Laurent for being an indispensable part of our program. We value you. Aloha everyone! From: Ronn Shiraki

RSA STANDARDS AND BEST PRACTICES FOR
​UPPER BELTS / INSTRUCTORS
1. Anyone of the opposite sex, minors and all RSA instructors are never to be alone at the academy together [or alone in any rooms]. If a female/minor student, or parent find themselves at the academy alone with a male instructor, the female/minor student or parent must wait outside the dojo until another instructor or adult arrives. If a minor member arrives by themselves, parents are required to wait with their son or daughter before they leave until two adults arrive to the academy or Jiu-Jitsu related event. This is required as we do not want children waiting outside by themselves. The above policy extends beyond just the academy to: car rides, school activities and tournaments.
2. There is zero tolerance for any fraternizing between RSA instructors and female/minor students and parents. RSA Instructors are held to a higher standard and are prohibited from dating and corresponding with members and parents of the opposite sex. Furthermore, phone calls, text messages or communication through any other media such as social networks is specifically prohibited between instructors and students and parents of the opposite sex and all minors. This is to ensure that inappropriate interaction between staff members, parents and students are completely avoided.
3. All members are required to change in the bathroom at all times if stripping down to underwear. If you are uncomfortable with changing in the bathroom, we ask that you change in your car or at home before entering the dojo. We do not allow members to dress for class in hallways or the outside areas.
5. Video taping and inappropriate conversations in person or via digital communication are not allowed between instructors and students.
6. Kids must remain in eyesight of their parents at all times before and after classes. All students under the age of 14 must wait for their ride to arrive in the dojo hallway.
7. RSA has been built on many years of a lot of sacrifice, hard work, tears and, yes, blood. Our collective aim is to maintain the highest level of safety for everyone while growing and maintaining a reputation of excellence in professionalism. Those who have violated the sacred trust of the teacher student relationship will be asked to step away from the academy. However, we are confident that those lacking the integrity to maintain appropriate relationships and boundaries will remove themselves. If this is the case, please demonstrate respect for the team and remember all you’ve attained at RSA. The policies and procedures may seem to be too rigid for some. If this is true for you, please find another place to train.
8. Private Lessons with Instructors and opposite sex or minors are only allowed in the dojo with two or more adults present. We are serious about avoiding any problems that may arise from home training or one on one private sessions.

RVC: A great example

RSA would like to congratulate a very special member of our school: Ron Van Clief. Many of you may know him as the legendary film actor, The Black Dragon or as the fighter who, at the age of 51, fought Royce Gracie in UFC 4. Ron is also a Grandmaster in Goju-Ryu with students all around the World and was a student of Masters: Peter Urban, Frank Ruiz, and Moses Powell, as well as WingTsun founder Leung Ting. He has rubbed shoulders with Bruce Lee, Chuck Norris and many other major martial art icons. ​Ron is turning 80 years old tomorrow (January 25th), competes in tournaments regularly, and says he will keep training and get his Relson Gracie Black Belt one day. Ron Van Clief, we are honored and inspired by your life and example.

Ron Van Clief has a short documentary on Amazon Prime called The Hanged Man. It is informative, to the point and inspirational.

January 2023 uncle BO’s HONOLULU

RSA is blessed to have a remarkably deep reservoir of experienced Relson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Hawaii teachers/practitioners (years on mats shown below). Really blessed. Your pattern of integrity, loyalty and humble/selfless giving back to the next generation is priceless. Unreal. From front left with approximate years since beginning Jiu-Jitsu: Jesse 18 yrs | Sean 12 yrs | Craig 12 yrs | Lee 12 yrs | Phil 21 yrs | Roy 12 yrs | Ron 12 yrs | Neil 20 yrs | Paul 9 yrs | Ben 10 yrs | Ronn 25+ yrs | Antonio 15 yrs | Kalani 15 yrs | John 7 yrs | Dr. Jim 25+ yrs | Reyn 25+ yrs | Virgil 15 yrs | Rich 12 yrs | Laurent 25+ yrs | Wade 12 yrs | Chris 30+ yrs

Top row: Jimmy 12 yrs | Luke 8 years | Justin 15 yrs | Kevin 11 yrs | Juno 13 yrs "Many are Called, Few are Chosen."