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Sapateiro Jiu-Jitsu Academy
5 ★★★★★ 27 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Honolulu, Hawaii
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 14–65) — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
- Private lessons private, one-on-one coaching available — a focused way to start or to work around a busy schedule; ask about availability and rates
- 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 oahubjj.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (808) 382-8378
Hours
| Monday | 4:15–9 PM |
| Tuesday | 12:15–9 PM |
| Wednesday | 4:15–9 PM |
| Thursday | 12:15–9 PM |
| Friday | Closed |
| Saturday | 11 AM–1 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“I highly recommend Sapateiro if you’re a beginner or an avid competitor for both children and adults”
“I highly recommend Sapateiro if you’re a beginner or an avid competitor for both children and adults”
“This academy offers quality instruction and training in a safe, nurturing environment for all levels from beginner to expert.”
What members say
“Super great instruction from a great professor.”
“This academy offers quality instruction and training in a safe, nurturing environment for all levels from beginner to expert.”
“I first came as a white belt and have been lucky enough to come back to visit, learn, test myself, and seek advice from the Sapateiro family and Ed through each of my belt ranks.”
“Ed has been an important part of my journey to black belt and provides the specific details and observations that will stick with you forever.”
“I wish this were my son’s permanent gym because I love the way the class is structured and executed, but we will settle for this being our second home gym!”
“While the vibe in the gym is friendly and relaxed, a couple people had recently competed and won, which is always a green flag for me.”
From the reviews
Best Jiujitsu school on Oahu. Super great instruction from a great professor. Everyone was so kind and welcoming. My favorite place to train on island.
I first came to Sapateiro when I started my jiu jitsu journey visiting from the mainland. Over the near decade since of coming back and forth visiting I always make it a point to come and visit the academy and the head instructor Ed.
I found this place on Google maps when looking for a spot to train while working at the port in Honolulu. I reached out to Ed via Instagram and he was prompt and welcoming in his response and invited me to drop in.
I took my 7-year-old son to Sapateiro BJJ while vacationing this past summer for almost a month, and I have nothing but amazing things to say about this gym! Coach Ed is patient and kind towards the kids in the class.
New to BJJ? Start at Sapateiro Jiu-Jitsu Academy
Sapateiro Jiu-Jitsu Academy 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 Sapateiro Jiu-Jitsu Academy
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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