Sapateiro Jiu-Jitsu Academy

Sapateiro Jiu Jiitsu is my home gym whenever I visit Honolulu. Everyone here is extremely hospitable. Coach Ed is patient and has very insightful instruction, and will take time in the class to ensure your questions are answered. This gym is female-friendly and has a group of girls who will make you feel right at home. At the time of this review, the facilities are in the business complex. I would highly recommend Sapateiro JJ to anyone looking for highly technical instruction/rolls and a long term, friendly gym, as well as travellers looking for quality training during their stay! 😊

such a great experience i had at this gym. got my son in jiujitsu at 5yrs old super sad we had to leave 3 years later. can’t thank ed enough for the extra rolls and one on one time he gave my son, especially before tournaments, while making it safe and fun for the kids. as i would take my son to classes i would see the guys getting ready for the adult class and easily made friends with them which in turn made it easier to start since i was really nervous. eds character shows in his gym it’s welcoming, easy going, no BS or ego trips and everyone helps everybody to get better. another great plus is there’s always parking and a lot of classes throughout the week. if your looking to start up but not sure where, start here!

Whether looking for a competition feel training environment with highly skilled practitioners or just looking to break a sweat after a long day, Sapateiro Jiu-Jitsu Academy has it all. The team and students are friendly, knowledgeable, and are always willing to help each other grow. Head instructor, Edmund Li, is very thorough in his teachings, has a vast knowledge of past and modern day jiujitsu, and is always willing to spend extra time with his students to work through techniques as well as the concepts behind them.

My 15yr old son was first invited to Sapateiro’s open mat by a family friend. Although, my son doesn’t train there, we were welcomed with open arms. The people who train there are really friendly and quick to offer helpful tips. Their Jiu Jitsu is top notch and very technical. Not the typical smash and pass style that you see at some other gyms. We watched a kids class and Coach Edmund is very patient and makes the class enjoyable. You can tell that the kids are having fun yet still learning a valuable skill. My son also did a private lesson with Coach Edmund to help prepare him for an upcoming tournament. Edmund took the time to watch a video of my son competing and worked with him on things that needed improvement. Sadly, we live on the other side of the island. If we didn’t, I would love to have my son train there. If you’re looking for a Jiu Jitsu school with no drama or big egos but yet very technical, then Sapateiro is the place to be.

If you are looking into finding some rolls while on vacation in Oahu, Sapateiro bjj academy is so welcoming. They welcomed my daughter with warm Aloha even if it’s just drop-ins. Great academy for bjj, my daughter can’t wait to visit again. Much Mahalo!