...as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
Joshua 24:15
INSTRUCTOR BIO/HISTORY
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR
Sifu (Master Instructor) David Giomi has been studying martial arts since 1974, including nearly 10 years as a private student of renowned Jeet Kune Do (Bruce Lee's Art) instructor Guro Burton Richardson and was one of Guro Burton’s hand-picked sparring partners.
Sifu David worked in the Honolulu bar/nightclub industry for over 20 years giving him a unique, real-world perspective of self defense.
One of only two people in the world with Instructor ranking in both Jun Fan Gung Fu/JKD (Original Bruce Lee method) and JKD Unlimited "MMA For the Street", Sifu David was the first person ever promoted to Instructor Rank in Bruce Lee’s Jun Fan Gung Fu/JKD by Guro Burton, making him a 3rd Generation Instructor of Bruce Lee’s Original Art with direct lineage to Bruce Lee himself.
He also holds the rank of 7th degree Black Belt in Chinese Kenpo, as well as a Black Sash Instructor ranking in Traditional Chinese Kung Fu (including Tai Chi and Internal Arts)
One of the featured performers in the new curriculum DVD’s for the legendary Sifu Larry Hartsell’s Jun Fan JKD Grappling Association, Sifu David holds the rank of Full Instructor in the Jun Fan JKD Grappling Assoc. and wrote the copy for Sifu Larry's instructional videos on the new JFJKDGA website.
He was also an actor, stunt performer, and Assistant Fight Choreographer on the award winning martial arts movie "One Percent Full".
Sifu David founded Hawaii Kung Fu/Cornerstone Martial Arts in Honolulu, HI in 2001 as a Christian Martial Arts organization, teaching JKD, Kenpo, traditional Kung Fu and Tai Chi Ch’uan as part of his Christian Martial Arts curriculum at the Palolo Valley Hongwanji Temple and Lili’uokalani Elementary School on the island of Oahu.
Sifu David is also the founder of the Christian Warrior Society.
Instructor Bio
7th Degree Black Belt Kenpo Karate
Black Sash “Sifu” Ranking: Shaolin Kung Fu
Full Instructor Ranking: Jun Fan/Jeet Kune Do Grappling Association
Instructor Ranking: Bruce Lee’s Original Jeet Kune Do (Jun Fan Gung Fu).
Instructor Ranking: Jeet Kune Do Unlimited; Mixed Martial Arts For the Street (TM)
One of only two people in the world with Instructor ranking in both JKD Unlimited MMA-FTS and Jun Fan Gung Fu (Original Bruce Lee method)
Instructor Ranking: Jeet Kune Do Concepts
Instructor Ranking: Filipino Martial Arts
Certified Empower Kickboxing Instructor (Joe Lewis Fighting Systems-based)
Blue Belt Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (JKDU BJJ for the Street)
Instructor Tai Chi Ch’uan/Internal Martial Arts (Christian-based)
Studied Ninjutsu at the Dragon Gate Sanctuary: Honolulu, HI
Hawaiian-Chinese Kempo Karate under Great-Grandmaster Professor William K.S. Chow
Actor, Stunt Team member, Assistant Fight Choreographer, “One Percent Full”, winner of the award for Best Fight Choreography at the "ACTION ON FILM INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL" in Los Angeles 2009
Owner C.O.B.R.A. Defense Nevada
Certified C.O.B.R.A. Defense Instructor
Certified C.O.B.R.A. Fighting Systems Instructor
Active Shooter Response Instructor (C.O.B.R.A. Defense Systems)
Kidnapping & Anti-Abduction Instructor (C.O.B.R.A. Defense Systems)
Child Abduction Prevention (C.A.P.) Course Instructor (C.O.B.R.A. Defense Systems)
Edged Weapon Defense Instructor (C.O.B.R.A. Defense Systems)
Firearms Defense Instructor (C.O.B.R.A. Defense Systems)
Protection Specialist Training Instructor (C.O.B.R.A. Defense Systems)
Head instructor LV Tactical Training
Primary assist on LV Tactical Training Counter-Terrorist Training for pilots and flight attendants of local Las Vegas airlines
Taught numerous military and high-level security personnel Honolulu, HI and Las Vegas, NV
Security Supervisor Las Vegas,NV
Defensive Tactics Instructor, security company (unnamed) Northern Nevada
Program Director Cultural Arts Training Foundation
Developed and taught Christian Martial Arts programs for Christian Homeschool organizations in both Honolulu, HI and Las Vegas, NV
Developed and taught Christian Martial Arts programs to both adults and children in both Honolulu, HI and Las Vegas, NV
Developed and taught regular self-defense classes for Southern Nevada Children First (non-profit in Las Vegas, NV)
Developed and taught regular Tai Chi course for Assisted Living Center, Las Vegas
Developed and taught an Anti-Bully Program featured in local news with local community leaders, Las Vegas, NV
Founder Hawaii Kung Fu Honolulu, HI
Founder Cornerstone Martial Arts Honolulu, HI
Founder Christian Warrior Society
Copywriter for Sifu Larry Hartsell's instructional videos on new Jun Fan JKD Grappling Assoc. website.
Vice-Chairman Community-School Board Lili’uokalani Elementary School Honolulu, HI
Licensed and Ordained Pastor.
Ministry
Served in the following ministerial positions:
Hope Chapel Mana’olana: Associate Pastor, Men's Pastor, Home Church Pastor; Worship Leader
Hope Chapel Honolulu: Worship Leader, Assistant Pastor
Hope Chapel Las Vegas (Home Church): Pastor
DOCUMENTATION AND REFERENCES FOR ALL THE ABOVE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST.
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTION
A message from Sifu David:
Our Honolulu classes were a Christian-based martial arts program designed to equip our students SPIRIT, SOUL, and BODY.
Bible-based...but not “religious”.
Our classes always had students from diverse denominations, a good amount of non-Christians, as well as confessed atheists.
All were welcome, as long as you had a good heart and a willingness to learn.
Students trained hard and fellowshipped in a spirit of brotherhood regardless of spiritual affiliation (or lack thereof). Many of those friendships continue today having lasted the test of many years and many miles.
My goal, or vision, for a martial arts school/program has always been for it to be something much more than just a school of martial arts.
Think of it this way, many of us have been fortunate to have been in situations, be it a job, school, or church, that was just a “special” time...no other way to put it...special people, a special place, a special time. Well, that’s what we had in our classes in Hawaii, and that’s my vision/goal for any and all classes I teach here in Reno...or anywhere else for that matter.
..it’s for something special.
With that in mind, we operate more as a “semi-private academy” and I take the time to interview each and every person that wants to join our classes to make sure we’re a good fit, and to make sure we maintain a positive environment. Don’t get me wrong with all this talk of something special, while all of the classes are family friendly and values driven, we teach very effective, serious martial arts here. I want to make sure this is a safe, fun, positive experience for everyone involved.
Most people would tell me this is a terrible business practice, and honestly, it can take longer to build a program this way. But, you know, I’m O.K. with that; I want to do something special here. To be real honest... I’m just not that interested in doing it any other way.
So, if this sounds like something you would like yourself and your family involved in, give me a call. We’ll have a chat, or “talk story” as we say back home. You can get to know me, I can get to know you, and we can see if this is a good fit.
Blessings & Aloha,
David Giomi