Professor Johnathan Vance
The first time I met Johnathan Vance (1978) I lost to him 0-2 in a point karate tournament.
In 1978 he won the All-Hawaii State Karate Championships in both Kumite and Kata. In the years 1975-1980 Vance comprised a Full Contact record of 29-0 with 22 by knockout. I've seen him konk guys at Bloch Arena, Conroy Bowl, Blaisdell Center, and too many school gymnasiums to count.
In 1980, we were both part of the original crew of American Hawaii Cruises new inter-island cruise ships and consequently we were sent to Maryland for a month to get our Lifeboat certification.
The next time we squared off for a little kumite, in Maryland, I landed the first strike -- a quick front leg side kick that slipped in beneath his arm. Then I landed the same kick to his mid-section again. He nodded his approval, and countered with a barrage. JV did not like to lose.
That was the first of several sparring sessions between Johnathan and myself while employed with the cruise ships. He usually got the best of it, but there were occasions when I stole the show.
One night in the Makao room, a crew recreation room toward the back of the ship, JV, Danny Keao (also with Universal Kempo), and myself were working out together. After sparring with each other for a few rounds, Johnathan declared a finish to the workout, but I asked him if we could continue a little longer.
We started sparring again and shortly thereafter, I sank a front kick deep into his stomach. Despite the solid blow, Vance pressed forward... It was more of a reaction than a thought, but I spun and caught him square in the mouth with the most devastating spinning back fist that I've ever landed. Blood splattered like a squashed tomato, yet he relentlessly pressed forward. JV then landed a beautiful three punch combo to my head -- a left hook, straight right, and a right hand uppercut that knocked me off my feet.
"Get up, you wanted to go some more, get up" Vance demanded as he kicked me in the butt on the ground. I rose and put my hands up, and that's when I saw them, the black beady eyes of a ninja warrior locked on his prey. I knew that this was the void, the unknown, the point of no return...
I turned around and put my hands down at my side in surrender. He punched me twice in the back before he too knew that it really was time to call it quits for the night.
It was kind of ironic that we were roommates at the time, both of us in need of ice packs later that night. That exchange of punches was the defining bond between us - Budo blood brothers.
my dear friend, rival, mentor, and fellow karateka...
10th Degree Professor Johnathan Leroy Vance
Born: June 17, 1958 Fukuoka, Japan
Passing: February 10, 2007 Honolulu, Hawaii
Began his martial arts training in 1965 with Pearl City Judo Club. In 1972 he began training at Godin's Kula Ona Kupale Kempo-Karate (later Universal Kempo-Karate with Prof. M. Buell).
He won numerous awards in his career including a Full-Contact record of 29-0 with 22 knockouts (1975-1980) and the Grand Champion of the 1978 All-Hawaii State Karate Championship.
He began teaching Kempo-Karate as an Assistant Instructor. He later ran two Kempo-Karate Branches before opening and founding Advanced Kempo-Karate in July 2003. He continued teaching and training while raising his family and working as a Sherriff for the State of Hawaii.
He was born in Fukuoka, Japan. He was a former Senior Chief Instructor for Professor Martin Buell, Universal Kempo and Founder of Advanced Kempo-Karate System, 10th degree Black Belt. Also, a Civil Deputy Sheriff for 25 years.
Sadly, tragedy struck Johnathan Vance in 2007. A leukemia like blood disorder suddenly came upon him. He checked into Queen's hospital but passed away two days later.
After moving to Kauai I had not seen Johnathan since 1991 and am thankful to have seen him again in 2006 at Hanapepe where he had a fighter in an MMA event held there.
At the time of his passing, he had impacted the lives of over 3000 students and their families.
Survived by wife, Jowella Vance; daughters, DeRae Riturban, Cazden and Jazdee Vance; brothers, Alec and Lee Pacheco; sister, Normandie Enderton; mother, Kumiko Vance; mother, Audrey Vance; grand-children, Mahina and Lilinoe.
Professor Johnathan Vance
The first time I met Johnathan Vance (1978) I lost to him 0-2 in a point karate tournament.
In 1978 he won the All-Hawaii State Karate Championships in both Kumite and Kata. In the years 1975-1980 Vance comprised a Full Contact record of 29-0 with 22 by knockout. I've seen him konk guys at Bloch Arena, Conroy Bowl, Blaisdell Center, and too many school gymnasiums to count.
In 1980, we were both part of the original crew of American Hawaii Cruises new inter-island cruise ships and consequently we were sent to Maryland for a month to get our Lifeboat certification.
The next time we squared off for a little kumite, in Maryland, I landed the first strike -- a quick front leg side kick that slipped in beneath his arm. Then I landed the same kick to his mid-section again. He nodded his approval, and countered with a barrage. JV did not like to lose.
That was the first of several sparring sessions between Johnathan and myself while employed with the cruise ships. He usually got the best of it, but there were occasions when I stole the show.
One night in the Makao room, a crew recreation room toward the back of the ship, JV, Danny Keao (also with Universal Kempo), and myself were working out together. After sparring with each other for a few rounds, Johnathan declared a finish to the workout, but I asked him if we could continue a little longer.
We started sparring again and shortly thereafter, I sank a front kick deep into his stomach. Despite the solid blow, Vance pressed forward... It was more of a reaction than a thought, but I spun and caught him square in the mouth with the most devastating spinning back fist that I've ever landed. Blood splattered like a squashed tomato, yet he relentlessly pressed forward. JV then landed a beautiful three punch combo to my head -- a left hook, straight right, and a right hand uppercut that knocked me off my feet.
"Get up, you wanted to go some more, get up" Vance demanded as he kicked me in the butt on the ground. I rose and put my hands up, and that's when I saw them, the black beady eyes of a ninja warrior locked on his prey. I knew that this was the void, the unknown, the point of no return...
I turned around and put my hands down at my side in surrender. He punched me twice in the back before he too knew that it really was time to call it quits for the night.
It was kind of ironic that we were roommates at the time, both of us in need of ice packs later that night. That exchange of punches was the defining bond between us - Budo blood brothers.
my dear friend, rival, mentor, and fellow karateka...
10th Degree Professor Johnathan Leroy Vance
Born: June 17, 1958 Fukuoka, Japan
Passing: February 10, 2007 Honolulu, Hawaii
Began his martial arts training in 1965 with Pearl City Judo Club. In 1972 he began training at Godin's Kula Ona Kupale Kempo-Karate (later Universal Kempo-Karate with Prof. M. Buell).
He won numerous awards in his career including a Full-Contact record of 29-0 with 22 knockouts (1975-1980) and the Grand Champion of the 1978 All-Hawaii State Karate Championship.
He began teaching Kempo-Karate as an Assistant Instructor. He later ran two Kempo-Karate Branches before opening and founding Advanced Kempo-Karate in July 2003. He continued teaching and training while raising his family and working as a Sherriff for the State of Hawaii.
He was born in Fukuoka, Japan. He was a former Senior Chief Instructor for Professor Martin Buell, Universal Kempo and Founder of Advanced Kempo-Karate System, 10th degree Black Belt. Also, a Civil Deputy Sheriff for 25 years.
Sadly, tragedy struck Johnathan Vance in 2007. A leukemia like blood disorder suddenly came upon him. He checked into Queen's hospital but passed away two days later.
After moving to Kauai I had not seen Johnathan since 1991 and am thankful to have seen him again in 2006 at Hanapepe where he had a fighter in an MMA event held there.
At the time of his passing, he had impacted the lives of over 3000 students and their families.
Survived by wife, Jowella Vance; daughters, DeRae Riturban, Cazden and Jazdee Vance; brothers, Alec and Lee Pacheco; sister, Normandie Enderton; mother, Kumiko Vance; mother, Audrey Vance; grand-children, Mahina and Lilinoe.