January 2025 | Episode #9
As we close the books on 2024, we took a moment to celebrate the hard work and dedication of our members. In martial arts, belts and stripes are more than just symbols of rank—they're milestones in a journey of perseverance, discipline, and growth. Each stripe represents countless hours on and off the mat, overcoming challenges, and in the refinement skills. As any practitioner knows, advancing through the ranks isn’t just about perfecting techniques; it’s about embodying the principles of martial arts in daily life—respect, focus, and resilience.
For everyone who leveled up this year - Congratulations!!!
Belt Promotions
Matt Hansen (Brown), TJ Bolamperti (Brown), Ahmed Bushra (Purple), Arjun Maudhoo (Blue)
Foundations Graduates
Congratulations to the following individuals for earning their certificates and successfully completing our 10-week Foundations of Jiu-Jitsu course:
(Back row, left) Dan Hagans, Russ Mills, Riley Joyce, Reid Karel, Sam O’Loughlin, Matt Hansen
(Front row, left) Kyle Booth, Rory Helweg, Chris Jensen, Aiden Jensen, Quintin Black, Ken Tiojanco
Coaches: Nolan Campbell, Guy Rouelle, & Ryan Yamada
Next Foundations rotation starts Jan 6th!
“I had no prior combat sports experience to starting the Foundations class at Lōkahi, but after one or two classes I was hooked. If you’re like me and want to get into the sport without prior experience, I’d recommend coming in to try out a class! They work hard to create a welcoming environment for newbies to learn.”
Christmas Party
Our 1st LŌKAHI Christmas party was a smashing success! Lucky Bucket was a fantastic host for our event (props to Nolan for securing our location) and Mike from Streetside Foods kept everyone fed and happy. I know I wasn’t the only one who had a few too many cannolis… And although we didn’t have success getting Matt to perform his famous rendition of Mariah Carey’s ‘All I Want for Christmas’, there’s always next year.
Special thanks to our generous sponsors who made this event possible:
Dalton Daeges (Concrete Delivered), Cole Johnston (The Lab), Mike Pflueger (Avior Wealth Management), TJ Bolamperti (Omaha Dentistry), and Brian Sorensen (Fremont Rentals)
Facility Update
If you thought our gym was cool before, wait until you see what we have in store for you. Over the next 90 days LŌKAHI will be upgrading our front reception area, completing and furnishing a 2nd floor members lounge (aka… ‘Stairway to Heaven’), and adding thoughtful touches of artwork throughout the gym. Reinvesting in a badass facility is just one of the many ways we aim to make every Collective member proud to call this HOME.
Upcoming Events
NYD Open Mat - January 1st
Next Foundations Curriculum - January 6th
LŌKAHI Youth Program - February 15th
LŌKAHI Youth Program
We’re thrilled to introduce the LŌKAHI Youth Program, designed for ages 7-14! This exciting new program builds on the success and structure of our adult classes, while tailoring the experience to younger participants. With a blend of martial arts training and fun, interactive games, kids will develop strength, coordination, and essential skills—all in a supportive and energetic environment.
Whether your child is looking to improve focus, boost confidence, or simply have a blast while staying active, the LŌKAHI Youth Program is the perfect way to kick off their martial arts journey. Enrollment begins January 15th and spaces are limited. Give your child the gift of growth, discipline, and community!
Upcoming Tournaments
February 1st - Sub Spectrum No-Gi Winter Trials
Des Moines, IA
Celebrate Moments
Congratulations to REID and ALICIA KAREL on their beautiful wedding in Italy!
Upcoming January Birthdays
Wishing all of our Collective Members a very happy birthday!
1st - Jadon Taylor
6th - Aidan Thurin
12th - Nate Christensen
12th - Ryan Yamada
13th - Ethan NewMeyer
20th - Walker Plank
22nd - Matt Hargrove
22nd - Nolan Campbell
“I’ve trained at several other gyms and Lokahi is at the top of the list in regards to quality of instruction, cleanliness on the mats and bathrooms, friendliness of instructors and training partners, variety in schedule, and overall gym culture. It’s been a very enjoyable experience since joining a few months ago.”