FSKA - Key Persons
Sensei Aaron Booker started studying martial arts when he was about 6 years old and he trained off and on through his youth. It wasn't until he was in his late teens that he started seriously training in the traditional style of Shotokan Karate.At that time, a black belt visiting his local dojo suggested that…
Sensei Jan Homer retired from the US Air Force in 1991. She had previously trained in Tai Kwan Do beginning in 1987, switching to Shotokan in 1991 upon her retirement. She continued training until 2009 and has assisted Shihan as the FSKA Executive Secretary since approximately 1995.
Sempai Joanne Endow was born in Cebu, Philippines and lived there with her family until they moved to California. Graduating summa cum laude with a BS in Accounting from San Jose State, she earned her Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license and has worked with several major companies in the "Silicon Valley" over the past 26…
Sempai Jon Endow is a third generation Japanese American, born and raised in California. He graduated from the University of the Pacific (UOP) with a BS in Business Administration and Marketing and International Business. He retired in 2006 after spending 30 years in the consumer goods and brand marketing fields. He began his martial arts…
Job Titles:
- Founder and Advisor of the Funakoshi Shotokan Karate Association Is Fourth Cousin to Master Gichin Funakoshi
- Founder of Modern Shotokan
Kancho Kenneth Yoshinobu Funakoshi, founder and advisor of the Funakoshi Shotokan Karate Association is fourth cousin to Master Gichin Funakoshi - the founder of Modern Shotokan. 1938: Born in Honolulu, Hawaii, September 4th 1948: Began Judo under Arazaki Sensei 1956-59: Attended the University of Hawaii after winning a swimming scholarship. Continued training in Judo and…
Kancho Kenneth Yoshinobu Funakoshi, founder of the Funakoshi Shotokan Karate Association is fourth cousin to Master Gichin Funakoshi - the founder of Modern Shotokan.
Sensei Miriam Garnica began her Shotokan Karate training with Shihan Funakoshi in June 1990. In addition to training on a regular basis, she taught Shotokan Karate at the Hollister, California dojo from 2001 to 2008. Dedication and support to FSKA has been the hallmark of her years of training. Sensei Garnica has participated in many…
Sempai Rolando Tolibas was born in 1970 in the Philippines. He graduated as a Computer Engineer in 1992 and has since worked in the tech industry with companies like NEC, Pacific Bell, Cisco, and Juniper Networks. He began his karate training with JKA during his second year of high school and continuing through college. When…
Sempai Milton Hernandez was born January 20, 1972 in El Salvador and relocated to California and graduated from SJSU in 1996. Being a school teacher with the Alum Rock School District for many years, his patience has carried over to teaching the youth class at the Milpitas dojo. His introduction to karate began in the…
Job Titles:
- Personnel and Assistant Instructor
Sempai Steve Sedler graduated from Stanford University in 1968 and served in the US Marine Corps from 1968 - 1971. After earning his Master's Degree in Accounting in 1973, he began a professional career as a CPA and Finance Executive, retiring in December 2014. His training in Shotokan Karate began in December 1993 when he…
Sensei Akio Sekino Senior Instructor akiosekino@gmail.com INTERNET Sensei Akio Sekino was born in Yokohama, Japan in 1946. While in Japan, he practiced the Art of Judo and received his Shodan (First Degree Black Belt). In 1972 he was selected to transfer to the United States, and in 1981 he began his study of Shotokan Karate under Sensei Okimura and Sensei Lafferty at… View Profile Sensei Garry Cross Senior Instructor Karate Qualifications 1969: Began Tae Kwon Do training at West Valley College 1971: Began Shotokan Karate training under Okimura Sensei 1977: Awarded 1st Dan by Shihan Funakoshi 1979: Awarded 2nd Dan by Shihan Funakoshi 1983: Awarded 3rd Dan by Shihan Funakoshi 1988: Awarded 4th Dan by Shihan Funakoshi 1992: Awarded 5th Dan by Shihan Funakoshi… View Profile
Sensei George Chow started Goju-ryu karate training during his high school senior year in 1971. Then he practiced karate intermittently through college and early employment years.He restarted as a white belt under FSKA Milpitas in 1988 and have been with the dojo ever since. He received his godan ranking in 2013.
Shihan Kyle Yoshinobu Funakoshi was born on April 21, 1973 in Honolulu, Hawaii. When he was five years old, he began training in 1978 under his father, Kancho Kenneth Funakoshi at the original main dojo (Puck's Alley) in Honolulu, Hawaii. Shihan Funakoshi trained directly under Japan Karate Association (JKA) instructors Asai and Kanazawa Senseis. As a…