Kuk Sah Nim Samuel K. Bishaw Jr.

FOUNDER & GRANDMASTER INSTRUCTOR

Born on the island of Hawaii in Hilo, Grandmaster Instructor (Kuk Sah Nim) Samuel K. Bishaw, Jr. knew at an early age his calling would be in the martial arts. At the time, martial arts was not popular and certainly not a credible way of making a living. Persuaded by those around him to go in a more practical direction, he entered the Navy after graduating from St. Joseph’s High School.

After several years in the naval submarine service, he left and pursued a college degree in business at Johnson and Wales in Rhode Island.

While in Rhode Island, Grandmaster Bishaw decided to study martial arts and began looking for a good solid school and instructor. He found a new martial arts school opening one block from his apartment and in his early 20s, Grandmaster Bishaw started his career in martial arts. He trained under world-renowned Taekwondo Grandmaster Hee Il Cho who had several schools in Rhode Island at the time. Grandmaster Bishaw chose the grueling route of training seven days a week pouring in deep heart and intense passion. He received his Black Belt in an unprecedented 18 months. He then began teaching for Cho’s Taekwondo schools in Warwick, Rhode Island.

Twenty years later, after several successful business ventures and extensive travel, Grandmaster Bishaw returned to Hawaii with the dream of sharing his knowledge, not only in martial arts but also in the skills he learned in the art of living by building today’s children into tomorrow’s leaders. He opened a school in downtown Hilo. After a few years, he decided to move to Oahu to see if he could find further success.

In 1998, Grandmaster Bishaw opened a school in Kailua, Oahu. What started as a small 1,200-square-foot academy grew into a nearly 4,000-square-foot Dojang. Grandmaster Bishaw has graduated numerous black belts and has developed a career program, which trains select black belt students in all phases of business operations and school ownership. Several of his black belts now enjoy a career in martial arts as members of the Martial Arts Company. His instructors are also life coaches at several of the academy’s outreach programs in the elementary schools in the community. Grandmaster Bishaw attributes his success and prosperity to his deep gratitude and appreciation of the opportunities given to him by his Divine Master. The dream does not end here as Grandmaster Bishaw teaches, “One must continue to dream and manifest those dreams into form.”

Grandmaster Bishaw continues to research and apply creative new programs into the curriculum. He believes that it is important to recognize all aspects of our being and develop them to the highest level of excellence. Then we can benefit fully in human existence and enjoy our experience as spiritual beings here on earth. Grandmaster Bishaw and his staff will continue to explore, learn, practice, and share our growth with whoever is receptive and sends everyone love, light, peace, and harmony.

Grandmaster Bishaw has won numerous tournaments worldwide accumulating hundreds of awards over his 40 yrs. as a martial artist, but his greatest achievement has been, “preparing and guiding my students toward excellence and a high level of respect for all things.”

Grandmaster Bishaw is a member and seventh tester of the Ultimate Black Belt Team founded by Master Instructor Tom Callos. Callos’ Ultimate Black Belt test (UBBT) is a 13-month program that requires its participants (the test is open to black belts only) to perform a wide variety of tasks and challenges. Each activity is designed to create a personal transformation in the participant.

(UltimateBlackBelttest.com) Grandmaster Bishaw is also responsible for helping Grandmaster Hee Il Cho move from New Mexico to Hawaii where he enjoys a successful school in Koko Marina Hawaii Kai.

Grandmaster Bishaw is a 9th Dan Black Belt in ITF Taekwondo.