Solomon Kaihewalu

Õlohe Solomon Kaihewalu in an instructor of Lua Hâlau O Kaihewalu, a Hawaiian martial art taught in his family. He brought the sport public in the 1960s, a controversial act, as previously the martial art had not been taught to outsiders.
Biography
Early life and education
Born December 2, 1935, Olohe Solomon Kaihewalu began his training when he was 3-years-old. 'Õlohe's father taught him the fundamentals; step forward with the heel, and step backward with the ball of the foot. This was the way of the Koa (warrior) who walks silently in order to not alert his opponent - similar to the way an American Indian warrior walks silently.
Kaihewaluwas taught hula (Ku'i Moloka'i) which is a very powerful dance form that teaches grace, agility and connectivity. It has a basis for lua in movement and awareness of body and self. Kaihewalu took many of his father’s teachings and refined them for a modern world. He saw that there was a need and place for these ancient art forms and risked all to bring what had been a secret family martial art form into the world. The action proved controversial.
Establishing a Place for Lua
Kaihewalu opened his first school in 1963 in the city of Orange, CA. Many Hawaiians objected to this and sought to silence Kaihewalu.
According to Olohe: “I listened to their opinions and their personal judgments toward me. I just wanted to bring our Lua, The Hawai'ian Art Of Self Defense, out to the world. I did not want to see this great Art die and become just a story in our history books. Bringing this beautiful Ancient Hawai'ian Martial Art out to the world was not easy. I never thought in my lifetime that this was going to be as tough as it turned out to be. I watched how I walked with this Art Of Lua. I made sure I did not step on anyone and hurt them as far as our Hawai'ian Martial Art was concerned.”
Today's Kaihewalu Lua
Today, Olohe’s lua teachings are disseminated to men, women and children who seek a way of self-defense that reflects both the man-made and natural world in the spirit of the Hawaiian nation.
Lua, as taught by Olohe and his Kamu (similar to black belt title in Asian systems.) Men and women like Ron Burns, David Dye, Walter Manuia, Iopeka Ali'i Miner and Michelle Manu carry forth his family’s teachings.
The teaching of Lua, an historic and deeply studied martial art, is no longer “kapu” (forbidden) in part because of Olohe's struggles.
Publications
*Ancient Hawaiian Martial Art of Kaihewalu 'Ohana Lua by Solomon Kaihewalu

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