Traditional Taekwon-Do Center Honolulu

It’s taken me a while to try and get all thoughts about this school into a short review. There are many great points to say about the instructor and even other students that I will not be able to really include within my review. The best thing I can say to start off this review, is just to try. Just try it. Take a free trial class (or 2), or, if you don’t feel ready for that, start off with a self defense session or two (12:30−1:30 Saturdays, $ 10 drop in — contact the school first).
I have never taken a martial art, never gave it a second thought. Sure, I’ve watched those movies when the martial art stuntmen/​stuntwomen do their thing, but once again, never thought another second about it. Never really cared. Now to be honest, I can’t say I now am a complete 360 to that regard. I can’t say I follow much of the martial arts, but I am aware and I do care. I do care in what I do and now I also have more respect towards the Arts.
Sabumnihm Ippen is a wonderful instructor. He does really great with the kid students as with the adults. He cares deeply for the Art of Taekwondo and his students. He puts care into teaching his students the forms and technique correctly. This is a big number 1 for his school. The forms. Everyone can break something, which you do, do here, but learning the forms and techniques correctly is what he strives for. It is up to the student to try their best.
I have seen many keiki take one class and are eager and beg their parents to continue. The parents, that I have seen, have happy looks of surprise at their keiki. What is even better is when I see students start as small kiddos, stick around and are now graduating from high school. They must like something about this school! :-) The adults that come back time after time must see something too!
Sabumnihm Ippen, to me, is very patient when teaching. I myself know this first hand. I know I did not have any sort of coordination or anything in the beginning, but he was patient, and I think I’ve come a pretty long way from just over a year ago when I started myself.
The school does not take part in big ‘olé tournaments; however, did host Aloha State Games. The school does get asked to do demonstrations, including, but not limited to schools (all levels, incl. college), Honolulu Korean Festival, Art After Dark, Keiki Run. It is not required of the students to take part BUT it would be greatly appreciated if students volunteered their time to support the school by either attending or being a part of the demo. Usually an okay amount of students represent the school at these events. Sabumnihm Ippen also offers free self defense seminars (contact the school for info) and has had the chance to do them at a handful of multiple locations.
The school is focused on teaching Traditional Taekwondo (and also self defense), probably the only school on the island to teach this way. Once again, though, I do not follow everything about martial arts so I could be wrong about this on the island. This school has people with different levels of knowledge and Sabumnihm Ippen accepts and teaches each level with dedication. He is strict, but not in the meanest of ways. He gets to understand each of his students, their strengths and weaknesses and tries to work with them on that. There are classes everyday but Sunday’s and Sabumnihm Ippen still teaches on many holidays. I also want to point out that the prices for classes offered everyday are not so bad on the wallet!
Sabumnihm Ippen is also very dedicated in teaching self defense. Mostly to women, but men too. Some techniques are taught during classes; however, he does have a dedicated class every week for his students and outside people to learn also. Information about this class (classes) can be found on the school’s website.
Also, as you can see the photos, every other month we have beach class! Of course with a BBQ potluck right after. That’s fun :)
On a personal note, I came to this school as a gf of mine was already coming here. I’d hang around and did so for about 4 years. I’d kinda be their photographer and volunteered around with other stuff as my time allowed, before actually starting myself. After watching and seeing how Sabumnihm Ippen instructed and how dedicated he is to this Art and how he is towards each of his students, I felt like I wanted to be more a part of this school and to learn. I am definitely not too athletic lol and I have a desk job that I sit at for 9+ hours a day, so this was helpful to me by just being a bit more active in my life. The people that surround this school is just a plus :-)
Come join the Taekwondo Honolulu ‘ohana :-)

Honestly, if you’re looking at Unilocal to find a martial arts school, you shouldn’t let that deter you from checking schools in person.
What you will find is a inexpensive-​no-​frills-​trophy-​absent-​ego-​checking martial arts school, Taekwondo Honolulu is one of them. A school focused on the traditional aspects of Taekwondo with Master David Ippen demonstrating multi-​disciplinary facets of the martial art: anywhere from Street Fighter style kicks, self-​defense, cardio, flexibility, agility, fast reflexes, etc.
One of my primary goals of finding a school for my needs was self-​defense. Master Ippen was able to provide realistic approach with a fantastic foundation to get me started. I was once a practitioner of Muay Thai (love them knees and elbows) and dabbled into Wing Chun and Karate. In fact, with my martial arts history/​background, he facilitated that knowledge and applied it in Taekwondo. Something that I notice not a lot of instructors are able to do. He keeps an open mind as well as providing insight on your innate strengths and encourages you to do better in all aspects.
None of the school instructors kept me as interested as Master Ippen – he believes in the principle of uniting and treating the school like a family and becomes invested in student’s life as an instructor and proud mentor. The individual attention is rewarding and the prices are a no brainer.
No sign-​up fees, no penalty contracts, just a straight monthly of either $ 69/​$ 89/​$ 99 (depending on age/​military/​college student discount) and you’re ready to train at least 6 times a week for 2 hours. Also the family/​couple rates are hard to beat. 2 people– $ 129, 3 people-​$ 159, 4+ people– $ 199. (This applies no matter the age/​military/​student).
They have their own parking lot and it’s super close to UH Manoa. The location is practically central.
As a student of 7 years I can absolutely vouch for Taekwondo Honolulu. It’s a no-​stresser school where students put on their uniforms and «just-​train.» With endless amount of cool events such as seminars, beach classes, and training camps… this is as good and as «real» as martial arts can become. Who said martial arts should be just in the do-​jang or within the training facility? The outside environment is great and provides challenging opportunities to get better!
Is this school for you? Is «Taekwondo» the best martial art? That’s beating a dead horse. There’s no best martial arts for everybody. There’s no best school for everybody.
But, there’s always SOMETHING for everybody. And this place, this school, is undoubtedly SOMETHING for me. I love it here.
If you’re not sure… come visit and look at the hardwood training floor space and try a FREE class. Adults shouldn’t look at Taekwondo as a children martial arts, rather a wholesome martial arts that can help you in everyday life. Plus, if you like a Master whom teaches all classes (including the keiki class), then you know you’re in good hands (and feet).
Mahalo Taekwondo Honolulu. I wish train to with this school and Master Ippen for many years to come. Woosha!

I observed the sparring session. Open to all ages. I watched as the instructor paid meticulous attention to detail to their forms and techniques. Corrected them and showed them how to do it properly. There was a level of respect towards the teacher that i did not see at another school. I definately liked what i saw and decided to sign up. i am looking forward to my lessons starting next week. Proper techniques. Enthusiasm from both students and teacher. Attention to detail. definately something to consider for anyone looking for a good school.

This martial arts school is very good, especialy with the kids. I really recomend this place because the teacher, David Ippen has a great heart and is kind with everyone. If you go to this school you will also learn a lot about self defence and learn how to fight, when you are in a real life situation. This school also has self defence for women only, it also has sparring class every Thursaday night starting at 7:15pm.

Not actually a student of these folks since we are just visiting Honolulu, but we did go to a demonstration and participated in a self-​defense class while on vacation. This school is in Puck’s Alley, so it’s close to UH. They teach a different style of taekwondo than I’ve usually seen offered in Honolulu. The teacher, Master Ippen, was very patient with all the students, though he was definitely pushing them to perform better. I really liked his attitude and the personal attention he gave to all the students. He seemed like the kind of instructor who pushes without being mean when the students make a mistake.