Sunshine MMA

Sunshine MMA, operating as Sunshine MMA Academy under The Adventure Scouts Hawaii, is a community martial arts program registered with the Hawaiian Federation of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Instruction is taught by Sakura Mendoza, a national champion with eight years of teaching experience who trained in Brazil with multiple-time world champion Kyra Gracie and holds a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu lineage tracing from Helio Gracie through Royler and Rolker Gracie, Cleber Luciano, and blind black belt Bill Tetsch. In addition to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, where students have earned gold, silver, and bronze medals at the Triple Crown tournament, Mendoza brings a background in aikido, wrestling, boxing, and Shotokan karate, and incorporates Robert Meltzer's Kick Time Karate format and Tai Chi lessons. Classes meet most Wednesdays at 1:00 PM, with a Martial Arts Beginner's Class at 2:15 PM on the first Wednesday of the month and open mat practice afterward under adult supervision. The school uses a distinctive value-based belt chart where students choose their belt color to represent a personal core value such as courage or harmony.