Hawaii Martial Arts International Society
Banquet and Tournament

Las Vegas - Nevada
July 2003
 

The Hawaii Martial Arts International Society named the Okinawan Karate Do Union the 2003 Organization of the Year, honored OKU Founder Master Allen Wheeler with the Golden Lifetime Achievement Award; and named OKU Regional Director, Sensei Dan Jones Master of the Year. Master Wheeler and Sensei Jones were also inducted into the HMAIS Hall of Fame. The ceremony took place in the ballroom of the Sahara Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas July 12, 2003.

Assistance Regional Director Sensei Joe Arvidson accepted the award on behalf of Master Wheeler.

L to R: Sensei Joe Arvidson, Carla Jones, Sensei Dan Jones at the banquet.

Sensei Jones with a group photo of award winners.

Sensei Arvidson accepting the Golden Lifetime Achievement Award on behalf of Master Wheeler.

Joe & Dan with event chairman Professor Jaime Abregana

Dan and wife Carla

Actor Cary Tagawa & Joe at the banquet.

Cary Tagawa & Dan

Cary has been in 46 movies, including James Bond, Kick Boxer 2 and Planet of the Apes but is probably best known by martial artists as the villain Shang Tsung in the movie Mortal Combat.

Joe had to go to Vegas to find new friends from Boston.

Joe at the tournament which included stick fighting sparring in addition to traditional sparring.

After getting lucky with a slot machine Joe treats Dan and Carla to dinner at Benihanas Japanese restaurant.