Sifu William Awihilima Kahaiali'i

I first met Sifu William Awihilima Kahaiali'i (A.K.A., Willie K) at a Hawaiian concert in Cal. State Domingues Hill, where he was head-lining. My first impression was a bit strange, since he got of the car with wholes in his pants, slippers, and a bandana on his head. That quickly turned around as I became totally mesmerized my his guitar skills and his haunting voice. Even though his arrogance was a bit strong. This was further validated at our next encounter, while I was in Hawaii on business. It was during a Halloween concert he was doing by the water. During his intermission, I saw him practicing the Kwan-do behind stage. I approached him because I was intrigued at where he had learned this rare weapon - later I found out that he was taught by the Chinese weapons expert Master Clarence Tai Lee. But this encounter was worse than the first one, he totally blew me off. However, I still stayed there and continued to be impressed by one of the greatest talents I've ever seen. The meeting that finally started our relationship was back stage at the Normandy Club in Gardena, where my good friend Sigung Joe Yuhashi formally introduced me to him. We invited him over to Sigung Joe's house the following day to work out with us - after Sigung Joe and I took turns slapping him around like a baby, he decided to take lessons from me. The journey that began has been full of every possible emotion you can think of, from extreme laughter to emotional crying. First, let me tell you about his talents. I've had the pleasure of witnessing well over a hundred of Sifu Willie's performances, and each time my hairs from the back of my neck have gone crazy and my skin chilled (or as they say in Hawaii "chicken skin") - his range of voice, mastery of the guitar, and showmanship repertoire is second to none (although I may be a bit biased). With each and every performance he managed to surprise me, it almost became a game between him and I as he would look at me off stage and wink (as to say, not bad?). I firmly believe that Sifu Willie is definitely ordained by God to be a healer through his music, and that's why he touches so many people. To this day, when I hear certain songs off of his CD's, I still cry - even though I don't understand it, I'm sure God is using him to heal something within me. I've been privileged to hear him chant a spiritual Hawaiian chant, believe me he "NEVER" does that in public, that I'm aware of. He called me to my cell phone one day as I was driving and told me to listen to him chant, I had to pull over in order not to crash - the spiritual power that came through the phone from 2,000 miles away was overwhelming. As I have told him many times, his destiny to fulfill his Hawaiian rightful place of his ancestors will overpower his resistance. His people are waiting for deliverance, like it or not his purpose has been pre-destined. I can't begin to tell you how many times, after his concerts, people would come up to me and thank me for turning his life around. My response is always the same, I was in the right place at the right time of his life, when change needed to occur - the Martial Arts provided that catalyst. And now for the Martial Arts side of things, he had been practicing Martial Arts in one way or another for a long time, most notably with Master Clarence Tai Lee in San Francisco. When we stated our journey together, he was a very inquisitive student, wanting to know everything and taking what I would teach him to a daily practice routine. We would train when he would fly up to Los Angeles, or when I would fly to Hawaii, for hours and hours, just stopping to eat and rest for a while. His back yard was like a brick cemetery from all of the broken bricks. Sifu Willie certainly took Gosikido to heart and practiced diligently, including winning several tournaments. He started teaching his son and nephews in Maui, as he developed a way to explain this complicated system. Meanwhile, you have to understand that Hawaii is the gateway of the U.S. for Martial Arts, they came from Asia and settled there before migrating to the continental U.S. Many schools and Masters have a strong-hold there, and they couldn't understand why the famous entertainer "Willie K" would need to take lessons from this guy in L.A. Everyone wanted him for their "stable" (and they still do, how selfish is that?) - but I told Sifu Willie from day one that his celebrity status meant nothing to me on my floor, and I've definitely proven that to him (many times I have body guarded him and have even carried his guitar). Partially for this reason, to protect him that is, and for his diligent study of Gosikido I decided to promote him to third degree black belt, with full "Sifu" credentials, as well as making him my first disciple. After three decades of training and teaching the Martial Arts I decided to give out my "FIRST" black belt, not only that but also make him my first disciple (one of seven total). This is a great honor, that someday when one looks back at the history of Gosikido (perhaps when I'm gone) they will realize what this all means. Not only an honor, but a great responsibility that came with such a distinguished rank - to whom much is given, much is expected. People that know me understand that I don't promote very often, but when I do it's because you really deserve it. My personal Martial Arts career is based on a very strict set of protocols and etiquette rules, which I have gladly shared with my students - again, I have never asked of my students anything that I have not already given to my teachers. What a great responsibility it is to be a disciple, and carry the teachings of your ancestors - it is something I honor my teachers with every time I teach. Besides the performing arts, and the Martial Arts, Sifu Willie has shared very special moments with me in my life, and I look to him as the brother I never had. He has helped me in many ways, and I'm one of his biggest fans to this day. I miss him terribly, my heart is heavy but open. One of the most incredible compliments I have ever received was when he told me that he would give up all of his musical abilities to be as good as I am in Martial Arts for one day. When he told me this I bowed my head in humility and cried like a baby, since I would give up all of my Martial arts skills to have his talents on stage for one night. My Aloha, and prayers go out to my brother . . .