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Kahala Jiu Jitsu
4.7 ★★★★★ 26 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Honolulu, Hawaii
Affiliated academy — reviews and the gym's own info point to a recognized BJJ lineage or affiliation (think Gracie Barra, 10th Planet, Renzo Gracie, Alliance, Atos or Checkmat). If lineage matters to you, ask which affiliation the academy belongs to and under whom the head instructor earned their black belt.
Plan your first class
- Beginner-friendly all levels welcome, including total beginners — you don't need to be fit or have any experience to start
- Kids & youth classes kids and youth BJJ classes (ages 3–17) — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
- No-gi no-gi grappling classes — training in a rashguard and shorts, with faster scrambles and a natural bridge to MMA
- Open mat open-mat rolling sessions for members to practice live — always optional and at your own pace
- Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule kahalajiujitsu.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (808) 294-6678
Hours
| Monday | 4–6 PM |
| Tuesday | 3–8:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 4–7 PM |
| Thursday | 3–8:30 PM |
| Friday | Closed |
| Saturday | 7:30 AM–1 PM |
| Sunday | 10 AM–1 PM |
The classes they run
“Great instructors, my two kids have been with them for almost a year and they have improved so much being only 6 and 4 years old.”
“Two of the teen coaches are quite good, although one of those we haven't seen in a while, and the rest are still training maybe(?”
Other martial arts here
What members say
“Great instructors, my two kids have been with them for almost a year and they have improved so much being only 6 and 4 years old.”
“The coaches do a superb job with teaching the keiki technical skills & appropriate attitude on the mat all while keeping it fun, engaging, and non-intimidating for the little ones.”
“There was an awesome family class for parents with kids, but that was cancelled a while ago, which was disappointing.”
“They meet the kids exactly where they are, keep things fun, and still teach real technique at a level they can understand.”
“My kids absolutely love going to class, and I’ve seen them grow so much in all areas of life since joining.”
From the reviews
Great instructors, my two kids have been with them for almost a year and they have improved so much being only 6 and 4 years old.
My kids have been going here for the past 9 years. They are now 15 and 17 years old and have learned and grown so much in their time here. The instructors have been true mentors to them and have helped them to become leaders and grow into confident and assertive young adults.
Wonderful, nurturing Jiu Jitsu school. My son has been taking classes for 7 years. Instructors are knowledgeable, friendly, and they also make the classes fun. My son has learned so much and is now an assistant instructor.
A couple of years ago, my oldest son refused to try Jiu Jitsu at a place on Kapahulu because of how the lead coach ran practice and treated students. My other son participated, but the students who got paired with him were visibly and audibly annoyed and begrudgingly worked with him.
New to BJJ? Start at Kahala Jiu Jitsu
Kahala Jiu Jitsu comes up as a beginner-friendly gym — noted on their own site. If you've never rolled or set foot on a mat, that's exactly who a good beginners program is for. A few things worth knowing before your first week. First, you don't need to be fit or flexible to start — you get in shape by training, not before it, and coaches scale the intensity to you. Second, you won't be thrown into hard rolling — reputable gyms build fundamentals (positions, escapes, and basic submissions) for weeks, live rolling eases in gradually, and tapping early keeps every roll safe. Third, all levels really are welcome — ask about a dedicated beginners or fundamentals class time so your first session is alongside others who are also starting out, and leave your ego at the door. Most gyms are happy to let you watch or try a class first, so reach out before you commit.
Your first BJJ class at Kahala Jiu Jitsu
Nervous about walking into a BJJ gym for the first time? Almost everyone is, and good coaches expect beginners to come through the door. Here's what to know. What to expect: a typical first class is a warm-up, then drilling basic positions and escapes with a partner — not hard sparring. Rest whenever you need to; no one will bat an eye. What to wear: athletic wear you can move in (or a gi if you have one); you'll train barefoot on the mats. What to bring: water and a mouthguard if you have one — many gyms lend a loaner gi for a first class, so it's worth asking when you call. As you keep training you'll add your own gi (or a rashguard and shorts for no-gi) and a mouthguard. Live rolling eases in gradually, once your fundamentals are solid. Arrive 10–15 minutes early to sign a waiver and meet the coach. It gets easier fast — most people feel far more at home by their third class.
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