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Island Jiu-JitsuKakaʻako · Honolulu
Students sitting on the black mats after class, with coach Jason Vigil smiling in the middle of the group

About Island Jiu-Jitsu

Leverage over strength.
Aloha over politics.

Island Jiu-Jitsu teaches Gracie Jiu-Jitsu — real-life self-defense first, then the sport — to keiki, teens, adults and women in Kakaʻako. We started in a Hawaiʻi Kai backyard in 2010.

Gracie Jiu-Jitsu is…

A martial art built on leverage.

Gracie Jiu-Jitsu is a martial art that uses the advantage of leverage to complete its maneuvers. Helio Gracie, the “father” of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, transformed traditional jiu-jitsu by modifying techniques so they worked with his smaller and weaker stature. The core of jiu-jitsu is self-defense.

Because leverage is the foundation of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, it is beneficial for everyone — children, women, men, including those with some forms of disabilities. We have children who began learning jiu-jitsu at 3 years old, and the maximum age is truly unlimited, because the art is designed for the weaker practitioner. Helio Gracie himself continued to practice until he passed away at 95.

Gracie Jiu-Jitsu teaches real-life self-defense. It has been applied in anti-bullying classes for children, self-defense and protection for women, and self-defense in the military and armed forces.

  • Keiki

    Anti-bullying classes for children — starting as young as 3.

  • Women

    Self-defense and protection, based on leverage rather than how hard you can hit.

  • Military

    Self-defense training in the military and armed forces.

Keiki & teen classes Women’s self-defense Adult classes
Helio Gracie in a white gi and red belt, fists raised in a fighting stance against a black background
Helio Gracie, the “father” of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, kept practicing until he passed away at 95.

“Our fears don’t stop death. They stop life.”

— Rickson Gracie
Black-and-white portrait of Helio Gracie seated, surrounded by members of the Gracie family in their gis
The Gracie family

Introduction

No politics.

We want you to focus on the training, not the politics.
  1. 01

    Island Jiu-Jitsu does not discriminate.

  2. 02

    Island Jiu-Jitsu does not have contracts.

  3. 03

    Island Jiu-Jitsu does not require specific gis.

  4. 04

    Island Jiu-Jitsu’s coaches — including the black belt — roll with all students.

We love teaching jiu-jitsu to everyone — starting from 3 years old, up to as old as you can personally train.

Training at Island Jiu-Jitsu means you will learn all of the details to positions, regardless of your belt rank or experience. Everyone is supported and encouraged to perform at their best.

Book a class

The Island Jiu-Jitsu philosophy

  • 01

    No politics

    Focus on the training. Everyone is welcome — every age, every background, every school and affiliation, locals and visitors alike.

  • 02

    Gracious teaching

    You learn all of the details to every position, regardless of belt rank or experience, and you are supported and encouraged to perform at your best.

  • 03

    Team unity

    One ʻohana with an open-door policy. From a backyard club to a Kakaʻako dojo, the team has stayed free of politics.

Island Jiu-Jitsu team photo — three rows of students and coaches in white, blue and black gis in front of the logo wall
The Island Jiu-Jitsu ʻohana

History

From a backyard in Hawaiʻi Kai to Kakaʻako.

Jason Vigil discovered his passion for teaching early and has been sharing jiu-jitsu since 2004. He believes students need both the basics of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu self-defense and the new techniques world champions use today — an integrated style that keeps classes diverse and fun.
Jason Vigil in a white gi and black belt, holding a baby in a tiny white gi, in front of the Island Jiu-Jitsu logo wall
Jason Vigil, owner and coach — teaching since 2004, black belt since 2013.

  1. 2004

    The garage

    Jason discovers his passion for teaching and starts coaching his friends in his garage.

  2. 2010

    A backyard club in Hawaiʻi Kai

    Island Jiu-Jitsu is formed in the backyard of a home in Hawaiʻi Kai as a jiu-jitsu club. Jason, then a blue belt, documents the backyard days on a blog.

    Read Jason’s original backyard blog

  3. 2012

    A formal school

    After the birth of his first daughter, Jason opens a formal jiu-jitsu school, subleasing in various locations around Honolulu.

  4. 2013

    Black belt

    Jason receives his black belt from Jason Izaguirre, owner and coach of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Kailua.

  5. 2015

    A dojo of our own

    Jason’s dream of opening his own dojo comes true.

  6. Today

    Kakaʻako

    Formerly at Puck’s Alley in the University area, Island Jiu-Jitsu now trains at 760 Halekauwila Street in Kakaʻako. Jason is a third-degree black belt, and classes run seven days a week.

Come train

See it for yourself.

Drop in to any class — $30 for kamaʻāina, $40 for visitors. All schools and affiliations are welcome.

Book a classMeet the coaches