MEET OUR TEAM
Kupuna Aikido Instructors
Debra Bolosan, Board member and instructor. Born and raised on Oahu, she retired from the Honolulu Zoo and spent 30 years taking care of the reptiles. Student of BASI Pilates for the last 15 years. She has been volunteering for Kupuna Aikido because it is a life lesson that all ages should learn.
Steve Glanstein, Board member, 5th Degree Black Belt. With over 50 years of Aikido experience. Steve and his father, Ralph, were introduced to Aikido at a demonstration of the “unbendable arm,” and both became ardent practitioners after Ralph, already a Judoka, could not bend young Steve’s arm. He first practiced in New York City and then Hawaii (from 1963), first teaching as a teenager in Hawaii in the late 60s. He travels to Argentina every year to practice and teach. He developed the “Wiggle the finger,” “Aikido with folders,” and “Aikido with ties” methodology to promote relaxation and proper body movement. He also taught the senior Safe Falling class since 2017 with Bill and Hiroshi.
Dennis Jinnohara, Board member, 5th Degree Black Belt. With over 36 years of Aikikai Aikido experience, he has trained in Japan, California, Kansas, Korea, Northern Virginia, and Hawaii. He has also trained in Ki Society-Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido for the last 5 years to develop Ki and to soften Aikido style. Dennis retired from working as a Department of Defense Civilian in Human Resources with an emphasis in Adult Training and Development and actively volunteers with other community service organizations.
Carrie Mukaida: Board member and assistant. She volunteers with Kupuna Aikido to share the knowledge and skills acquired over many years as a Dietitian-Nutritionist in clinical nutrition and research, public health and nephrology. After taking Aikido for several years more than 30 years ago, she found the Kupuna Aikido Falling Safely classes to be a perfect way to practice some of her Aikido training and meet other Kupuna.
Maurice Bolosan, Instructor. Retired from the Honolulu Zoo, he has spent over 35 years caring for elephants. Since retiring, he has found a new passion in helping others learn the principles of Kupuna Aikido. He truly believes these principles and techniques can make a meaningful difference in the lives of Kupunas. Through this practice, he has learned how essential balance and body awareness becomes more apparant as we age. He is committed to sharing his knowledge with others.
Rachel Glanstein, Instructor. Born and raised on Oahu. She serves professionally as a parliamentarian. Her interest in Aikido was due to her father Steve Glanstein, volunteering for Kupuna Aikido and now enjoys assisting with the classes. She Feels that the safe falling concepts are rules that everyone should learn and has seen the class save countless of students from injuries and does not want to see any more lives taken from falling.
Wayne Kozuma, Instructor, 6th degree Black Belt. Studied with Robert Kubo Sensei since high school.
Kai Li, Instructor, 3rd Degree Black Belt with a lifetime of experience in many systems requiring practical falling skills. A lifelong martial artist, he has lived and trained around the world studying various systems, each within their own unique geographical and cultural context. He has developed, taught and pioneered Adaptive Self-Defense programs for the disabled, for children with Downs Syndrome, and for the blind and hearing impaired. He also serves as an instructor teaching courses in First Aid and CPR.
Marc Morinaga, Instructor, 4th Degree Black Belt. With over 23 years of Aikido experience, he has trained under Yoshioka sensei during the 1970s and continued training under Kubo sensei from 2001. He is also a certified instructor of Reiki, a Hike leader for the High School Hikers organization and a volunteer for the Hawaii Nature Center. Marc has been making a difference in people’s lives and Kupuna Aikido allows him the opportunity to share his experiences in Aikido to help people fall safely and prevent any serious injuries.
Bob Putes, Instructor, 5th Degree Black Belt. He started Aikido in 1996 and has studied under Sensei Robert Kubo on the Windward side. He is also a 1st degree black belt in Laido, the art of using the sword. Bob came to Hawaii in 1972 while in the Navy and never left. He is retired and volunteers for various community groups.
Kupuna Aikido Assistants
Barbara (Bobbi) Brouillet
Belinda Chung
Kathy Kozuma
Carol Ogasawara