Passings
James Keikeka "Kimo" Hatchie
We mourn the passing of James Keikeka "Kimo" Hatchie, who passed away on Wednesday, July 30, in his beloved Hawaii. One of the founding members of Kilohana, he was a student of Professor Sig Kufferath, and also studied Danzan Ryu from Professor Okazaki himself. Kimo was the soul of our association, the man who kept us all smiling during the good times and the hard times. At his tai chi club, Aloha Tai Chi of Gardena, Kimo taught often to classes of 100 students. They, like the rest of us, knew what a treasure we had in this man. We send our love to his wife Helen, and his whole family, many of whom have been taking care of him during his final days in Hawaii. Take our love with you Kimo - our hearts are lighter because of the song you sang while you walked with us.
Professor Joseph Halbuna
Kilohana and the entire martial art community morn the passing of Professor Joseph Halbuna, one of our most beloved members. One of the first people to bring the art of Kajukenbo from Hawaii to the Mainland, Professor Halbuna has taught his art to literally thousands of students over the years, and has for decades been one of the most active karate tournament promoters around. He worked to bring martial artists of all styles together through the organization he founded, the Unified World Martial Arts Federation. He was a giant in our community, and the echo of his footsteps will be heard in dojos throughout the world for many a year.
It is with sad hearts that we say aloha, Professor. Mahalo for a lifetime of teaching and sharing. We will always hold dear the lessons you have imparted to us, and keep your memory in our hearts.
A Hui Hou Aku
Suro Mike Inay, Founder of the Inayan System of Eskrima
It is with great regret that I post this day, my father, teacher, and brother in the arts Suro Mike Inay has passed away 9-27-00. He died of a heart attack. Many in the martial arts world know him and many loved him in both the FMA and general MA community.
His one and only great dream was to spread Filipino Martial Arts around the world, and he succeeded. He neither gathered fame or fortune in his journey, the path was what he walked. So that others would come to love Eskrima as did he.
This digest as many things my father did were for spreading the art, he never really took a large hand in the content. Occasionally he would post, but they were infrequent. His main focus to the day he died was to spread FMA. He never did it for fame or fortune, merely as a means of survival to carry him to the next seminar/lesson/class.
I know that he looked upon the digest, its members (lurking and vocal), as a great asset to FMA. It was his wish that we as a community do all we could to spread and strengthen the arts in our own way. I like to think he was victorious in this, and I hope you do as well.
Myself and my sister greatly appreciate the sentiment that you all have given, both on the digest and in personal email.
I hope one day I may meet some or all of you so we may work out in tribute to him and the life's work he left.
Jason Inay
Jena Inay
Charlie Kalani
Charlie Kilani died Aug. 22 of a heart attack in Lake Forest, California, at age 70.
He began Ju-Jitsu studies in 1939 and was a Professor of Danzan-Ryu Ju-Jitsu.
Charlie Kalani began wrestling as "Professor Toru Tanaka" in 1967. He also played a villain in several movies, including Arnold Schwarzenegger's "Running Man" and "Last Action Hero."
Survivors, all of whom live in California, include his wife, daughters Cheryle Kalani and Karen Kalani-Beck, son Carl, sisters Jeanette and Charlene, brother Robert, and six grandchildren.
Bing Fai Lau
It is with great sadness we inform you of the passing of Bing Fai Lau.
Born September 23, 1906 in Chung Shan, Fu Jow, China, Bing Fai Lau died August 4, 1999 in Honolulu, Hawaii.