I needed a place for my daughter to train while we were on vacation and both times we came here…read morethey made feel like she was part of their academy

My son Gunner learned so much here. Awesome coaches. Mahalo for his trainings. He is working on…read moregetting his Grey belt. Great antiBully classes offered for the young kids.

I was in Oahu for work recently and hungry to get back to training. I checked out Island Jiu-Jitsu…read morebecause of the yelp reviews and the feeling I got from the pictures. My gut said this was the right place. I took several group classes and had the pleasure of a private session with Jason, the gym's owner. His attention to the smallest details of a single technique, along with overall creative concepts are part of what makes the gym so special. The other part is that everyone I met was friendly and welcoming. It feels like a large family. A family of absolute assassins on the mat. I tapped a thousand times during each sparring session and never once felt like I was in danger of getting injured. There are a variety of ages, sizes and belts so you can develop your skills against a variety of opponents. They teach self defense techniques and how to meld them into the sport versions of those techniques. Overall a deep and well thought out program. Any time I'm lucky enough to work on Oahu, I'll be training at Island Jiu-Jitsu.

I never leave reviews and I created a Yelp account specifically because I feel this needs to be…read moresaid about this business. I enrolled my young son in a trial class at Island Jiu-Jitsu and unfortunately had a very disappointing experience. The class did not seem well-suited for young beginners. Despite being advertised for younger children, there was a very wide age and skill range in the class, from very young children to much older students. As a result, the younger and less experienced kids appeared to receive very little attention. One of the stated rules was "no crying," which I found concerning for a children's class. Young children who are trying something new can naturally feel nervous, overwhelmed, or emotional, especially during their first lesson. My son became upset because he wasn't sure what to do and was struggling to follow along as a first-time student. While he was visibly crying and having a difficult time, the main coach ignored and didn't bother to check in with him, offer guidance, or even take a moment to speak with me about how he was doing. After class, no instructor approached us to discuss his experience or offer encouragement. The overall atmosphere felt much more focused on the more advanced students than on helping beginners feel comfortable and successful. For families with young children who are new to jiu-jitsu, I would not recommend this program based on our experience.

I started training at Grappling Unlimited in June of 2024, but my journey actually started because…read moreof my son. For a long time, I wanted to get him involved in jiu-jitsu, but I kept finding reasons to put it off. Eventually, I decided it was time to stop making excuses and find a place where we could start training. We tried a different academy first, but from the moment we walked through the doors, my son and I felt like outsiders. It just wasn't the right fit for us. My mother recommended Grappling Unlimited since she knows Enson, and I'm grateful she did. From the very beginning, Rei was incredibly welcoming and helpful. She answered all of our questions, made the process easy, and helped my son and me get started. Walking into a new gym can be intimidating, especially when you don't know anyone, but we immediately felt comfortable and welcomed. What started as something I wanted for my son ended up becoming a journey for our entire family. Not only did my son and I begin training, but even my mom eventually started her own jiu-jitsu journey in September 2025. Being able to share this experience with three generations of our family has been something really special. Since I started training, I've come to appreciate what makes Grappling Unlimited different. The instruction is outstanding, the coaches are knowledgeable, and the training partners are always willing to help. The gym has a culture where people work hard, support each other, and genuinely want to see everyone improve. Like most white belts, I've spent plenty of time learning the hard way, but every coach and training partner has played a role in helping me grow. I've gained confidence, improved my fitness, challenged myself in competition, and learned lessons that carry over into everyday life. Recently, I competed at NAGA. Stepping onto the competition mats was something I never thought I'd do when I first started training, and I know I wouldn't have had the confidence to do it without the coaching, support, and encouragement I've received at Grappling Unlimited. Most importantly, Grappling Unlimited gave my family a place where we felt welcomed from day one. Looking back, walking through those doors was one of the best decisions I've made. I'm proud to be part of this gym and truly grateful for everyone who has helped my family along the way. If you're considering trying jiu-jitsu--whether for yourself, your kids, fitness, self-defense, competition, or personal growth--I highly recommend giving Grappling Unlimited a try.

Great place to learn jiu-jitsu, MMA, kick boxing, and other martial arts!…read more Been fortunate enough to experience this location and all the good they do for the community through their classes. Coaches here are top notch. Many of them have been doing their art for years. Peace of mind to those who may be nervous about learning more. No shame here. Everyone of all expertise is welcome. Egan Inouye is a great inspiration to all. The outcomes and accomplishments of the students speak for themselves. They perform the highest in all categories across all ages, male or female. Very lucky to have seen my step daughter thrive under their instruction and become champion multiple times over. Can't recommend this place enough to family and friends!

Had a great time training here for a few months when I lived in Hawai'i. Very high level…read moreinstruction and a good community. When I'm back in Hawai'i, will have to stop by.

I was visiting the island and I'm so glad I decided to came by. If you want to have a real jujitsu…read moreexperience this is a place you want to checkout.

"I'm giving you the basic tools for you to be able to create and make Jiu Jitsu your own."- Erik…read more'Magrinho' Alves. Having the passion, patience and attention to detail to effectively teach such a system as Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a whole other set of skills onto themselves. Skills that very few possess. Professor Erik has dedicated his Jiu Jitsu teaching practice to the honing his ability to relay and demonstrate information that makes it palatable and manageable for the fresh newbie, the frustrated white belt (like me for many years) as well as the advanced student. I first started training Jiu Jitsu in 2008. I trained at a few schools in town during that year. None of which were able to break through my burning desire to learn Jiu Jitsu. A desire buried deep under my physical limitations and mental blocks. Subsequently as many frustrated white belts do with no real guidance, they quit. Just like I did. This hiatus would then last until 2017 where I made the bold attempt to learn and train Jiu Jitsu again. Almost 10 years later being much older and wiser I thought I would attempt to try to make things happen. The search for an ideal school that suited my learning style was still in the works. By this time, I understood fully that finding a proper match in an instructor and a school were of the upmost importance. So, after another attempt at a trying out other Jiu Jitsu academies and dojos I decided to give this school a try. It was the fall of 2018. I've collected a total of six stripes total from all the other schools I trained with. When I came to Magrinho Jiu Jitsu with three stripes from the previous school but tore them off as I felt I haven't truly begun to approach any level of competency whatsoever. When I made the call to Team Magrinho Jiu Jitsu, Erik Alves answered and told me that I can try them out for two weeks for free. Awesome. On my first day of training I walked into the school and immediately got the feeling that 'this was it.' I arrived at my final Jiu Jitsu destination. The long search for the right Jiu Jitsu school was over. At last. Gut feeling? Or just experienced customer? Who knows. What I can tell you with assuredness is that the look and feel of the place and ultimately the personable demeanor of Erik Alves told me these guys, this group of people were more interested in training hard than portraying an image. And for a moment I was transported in my mind back to the stories of the Jiu Jitsu classes held in garages when the Gracie clan first started teaching in North America. Yes a close-knit neighborhood grappling club nestled in the heart of Honolulu in Moilili. Minutes away from Waikiki and UH Manoa. I hit the motherload. Goodbye Mc Dojos. By no means was I looking for a place to coddle me or to be gentle and spoon-feed me techniques and concepts. As I always said: Everyone's eventually going to smash and tweak you and jack you up. But it's important to choose the right people to do this to you. This is my philosophy. Do with it what you will. These guys laid it on thick and put my face to the grindstone. And I'm loving every minute of it. A tweaked knee and joint here and there are par for the course but the payback is tenfold when you find the right school, teachers and training partners as I have done. Well I am much settled in and in the groove here at Team Magrinho Jiu Jitsu. I've been steady training since September 2018 grinding it out 3 days a week. With one private session per week (highly recommended). So far I've lost 25 lbs. I am way more agile and flexible than I ever was in my entire life and my pants are almost falling off my waist (my wife loves it!). In short Jiu Jitsu and Erik Magrinho Alves changed my life by transforming me into a new and improved person. A new and improved me with a superpower. (Jiu Jitsu is a superpower by the way. Tough it out for a year or two and you will be amazed at what you didn't know you could do. So yeah it feels like a superpower.) Erik Magrinho Alves and his team of professors and coaches Professor Daniel, Coach Big Dan, Professor Joao, Coach Lucas all lead excellent classes that are always guaranteed to challenge you and make you see what you are truly made of. If you ever thought about learning this awesome and wonderful sport but had apprehension in making that first move look no further. If you are searching to find a learning environment environment that is supportive, flexible and has a student base made of good people, then this school is at least worth a try. If it turns out not to be then I wish you all the best of luck in your Jiu Jitsu journey. As I mentioned Professor Erik lets you try it out for two weeks free. Train as much or as little as you want or need. There is always plenty of parking either in the Stadium Par

This is a great place to learn Brazilian Jiu Jitsu from a Black Belt Champion. Erik "Magrino" Alves…read moreis from Brazil. Professor Magrino is a humble down to earth master of BJJ. His teaching style is strict but easy going at the same time. The school vide is a great environment for any type of student. If you are planning on competing in tournaments, Professor Magrino has a ton of experience & has won many tournaments. He is also there to coach when you yourself is competing. This school provides classes for the young to old. As young as 4 yrs old to as old as you want. They teach Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, self-defense, & they even offer MMA class. There's several different times of class. Early morning, afternoon, or evening. This school is located right in town also. Personally, I think this is the best martial arts to start your child in. They teach your kids discipline in a fun environment. They instructors are all very patient & knowledgeable. This isn't a giant school with hundreds of students. This is more of a medium sized school. It's more family like & everyone is there to each & teach each other grow & learn. The 1 month I had the privilege & honor to train there, I've met a lot of other students & instructors. They were all so graceful, humble, & knowledgeable. The mats, facility, & restrooms are clean. There's parking out front. There's also great restaurants to grab lunch, dinner, or even a snack after training. I definitely recommend CS Jiu Jitsu school.

This gym is amazing. I was a drop in from Bend Oregon, and as an older grappler I was so relieved…read moreto be greeted with so much aloha. Coach Matt led a great class and the students were humble yet high level. This is a true testament to the quality leadership at this academy. Mahalo to everyone at Gracie Technics. I will definitely be back on my next visit to the island!

Gracie Technic Jiu-Jitsu was an incredible experience. My 15-year-old son from California called…read moreahead to ask about doing a drop-in class while we were visiting Honolulu, and they were extremely welcoming and accommodating. From the moment we arrived, everyone was friendly and made him feel right at home. Matt went out of his way to take care of Brenden and made sure he had a great experience on the mats. The instruction, atmosphere, and hospitality were all top notch. If you're visiting Honolulu and want to get some training in, this is absolutely the place to go. Highly recommend!

Gracie Allegiance is an amazing place for beginners introducing themselves to Jiu Jitsu for the…read morefirst time and for intermediate to advanced practitioners honing there skills. The coach creates a very welcoming environment and highly motivates his students to practice patience, discipline, and respect. He is highly committed to his students and strives to help them progress not only in the practice of Jiu Jitsu but as overall athletes as well. Fellow practitioners are also really friendly and help to create an environment that's as welcoming as is encouraging. As a martial arts program, Gracie Allegiance Jiu Jitsu is also a great way to stay in shape and to learn self defense. I highly recommend the program and lifestyle Gracie Allegiance provides and promotes.

The owner literally advertises their business by commenting on news reports where women have been…read morer*ped and saying "that wouldn't have happened if they learned self defense". Genuinely mind boggling to see comments like this.

We've had such a great experience with the Kahala Jiu Jitsu program for our 3-year-old. The…read moreinstructors are incredibly patient and kind--even when he gets silly or distracted (because... he's three ). They meet the kids exactly where they are, keep things fun, and still teach real technique at a level they can understand. We've already noticed him building confidence, listening better, and learning valuable skills like focus, respect, and perseverance--not just physical moves. It feels like they're teaching life skills as much as Jiu Jitsu, and that means a lot to us. Highly recommend for any parent looking for a positive, age-appropriate martial arts environment!

My daughter started training age 4 at KJJ. Now 11 and still really enjoying her training. Highly…read morerecommend KJJ

Reyn checked me in, showed me around and made me feel comfortable at a new gym! I had a great…read moreworkout and they had every machine I needed.

Gym is clean, porters do their very best to keep the place clean. Especially the locker rooms…read more Anyways!!! Anyone looking for personal training I highly recommend coach Makenna. She's amazing and is currently helping me on my health, fitness and lifestyle journey. I can't ask for a better coach as my personal trainer. I love what she truly believes in.

My son and I had the good fortune of attending a seminar at Tako jiu jitsu last week…read more As soon as we got there I could feel that good vibe and I knew we were going to have a good time. The head instructor Shel is super chill and was very welcoming. I highly recommend this school to anyone who lives in the Honolulu area. We will definitely be back

Excellent jiu-jitsu school with real, old-school training! The business is run by Coach Shel, who…read moreis extremely technical and brings a true old school approach to jiu-jitsu. He's an OG with deep knowledge, great skills, and a strong emphasis on discipline and fundamentals! If you're looking for authentic jiu-jitsu taught by someone with real experience and high standards, this is the place!