Shotokan Karate-do International Federation (SKIF):
Shotokan Karate-do International Federation (SKIF) was established in 1978 by Soke Hirokazu Kanazawa who had studied directly under Grand Master Gichin Funakoshi, and was the Director and General Manager for the Foreign Affair Division of Japan Karate Association (JKA) prior to founding SKIF. SKIF, a specified nonprofit organization in Japan has been expanding its activities since its found and now has affiliated groups in over 130 countries worldwide as well as 122 branches in Japan.
SKIF Hawaii is a Non-Profit Organization:
Shotokan Karate-do International Federation (SKIF) at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii (JCCH) is a non-profit organization. The instructor(s) volunteer their time to promote the benefits of SKIF Karate-do and all of instructors are certified black belts in Shotokan Karate by SKIF of Japan.
Karate Training:
Training at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii (JCCH) follows an approach that incorporates 3 aspects of Karate. First, is learning the fundementals or basics of punching, blocking, kicking, etc. which is called Kihon. Second, is putting these basics into prearranged movements or forms, which is called Kata. Third, is working with a partner to learn sparring or the fighting aspect which is called Kumite. In SKIF we use a systematic approach developed by Kancho Kanazawa concerning Kumite. Kumite skills are developed using exercises that progressive work up from five-step, three-step, one-step, one-step freestyle to eventually freestyle sparring.