Ryan Kauanui
Ryan is a Brown Belt under Ryron and Rener Gracie. Ryan owns and operates Central Oahu Jiu-Jitsu Academy with his wife Noel.
Ryan has been training since 2008, and started his jiu-jitsu journey as a white belt at Central Oahu Jiu-Jitsu Academy. He received his Blue Belt from Marcelo "Dentinho" Steenhagen (5th Degree Black Belt under Rilion Gracie), and received his Purple & Brown Belts from Kai "Borg" Garcia (5th Degree Royler Gracie Black Belt).
In January of 2020, Ryan had Brown Belt is recognized by Ryron and Rener Gracie (5th Degree Black Belts and Head Instructor/Owners of Gracie University). Ryan received his Official Gracie Academy Blue Belt from Ryron and Rener Gracie in 2014 through the Gracie University online program, while in the process of becoming a Certified Instructor.
Ryan is a Certified Instructor under Gracie University and is certified to teach Master Cycle, Gracie Combatives and Gracie BullyProof.
When Ryan is not on the mat, he is a Technical Sergeant in the Hawaii Air National Guard (Cyber Surety) and he works full time as a government contractor for the US Navy as an HBSS Administrator on NCTAMS.
Noel Kauanui
​Noel is a Purple Belt under Ryron and Rener Gracie. Noel owns and operates Central Oahu Jiu-Jitsu Academy with her husband Ryan.
Noel has been training since 2013 and started her Jiu-Jitsu journey by learning the self-defense techniques in the Women Empowered program on Gracie University. She earned her Pink Belt in 2014 and continued her journey by going through the Gracie Combatives program. Three months later she earned her Technical Blue Belt. Noel then completed her Live Evaluation with Ryron Gracie and received her Official Blue Belt from him in October of 2014. She became the 2nd Gracie University Certified Instructor in Hawaii in January of 2015 and recently was awarded her instructor bars by Ryron and Rener in January of 2016.
Noel is a Certified Instructor under Gracie University and is certified to teach Master Cycle, Gracie Combatives, Gracie BullyProof, and Women Empowered.
When she's not on the mat, she is working, tirelessly behind the scenes, to keep COBJJ running smoothly!
Conan Carter
Conan is a Black Belt under Desi Miner and Kai "Borg" Garcia.
Conan started his jiu-jitsu journey as a white belt at Central Oahu BJJ Academy. He received his Blue Belt from Marcelo "Dentinho" Steenhagen (5th Degree Black Belt under Rilion Gracie), and he has received his Purple and Brown from Kai "Borg" Garcia (5th Degree Black Belt under Royler Gracie). in July of 2016, he received his Black Belt from Desi Miner (Black Belt under Kai "Borg" Garcia).
Conan teaches the Adult Advanced classes on Tuesday nights.
When Conan is not on the mat, he works full time for the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard as an Industrial Equipment Mechanic. Conan is also a Fiberglass Technician for Island Fin Design and has foiled hundreds of thousands of fins that allow surfers from all over the world to make those perfect turns. Conan is also a organic vegetable farming enthusiast.
Bret Gamiao
Bret is a Black Belt under Desi Miner and Kai "Borg" Garcia.
Bret started his jiu-jitsu journey as a white belt at Central Oahu BJJ Academy. He received his Blue Belt from Marcelo "Dentinho" Steenhagen (5th Degree Black Belt under Rilion Gracie), and his Purple and Brown from Kai "Borg" Garcia (3rd Degree Black Belt under Royler Gracie). in July of 2018, he received his Black Belt from Desi Miner (Black Belt under Kai "Borg" Garcia).
Bret teaches the Adult Advanced classes when his schedule permits.
When Bret is not on the mat, he works full time for the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard as a General Foreman for Shop 38. Bret is a Harley Davidson enthusiast and an amazing artist and has had his artwork featured on one of CTRL's kimono's as well as countless other local and national companies!
Izumi Kawakami
Izumi is a Blue Belt under Ryron and Rener Gracie.
Izumi has been training since 2016 and started her Jiu-Jitsu journey by learning the self-defense techniques in the Women Empowered program at Central Oahu Jiu-Jitsu. She earned her Pink Belt and became a Certified Women Empowered Assistant Instructor in 2017. She then continued her journey by completing the Gracie Combatives program and is now continuing her journey in the Master Cycle. Izumi received her Official Blue Belt from Ryron and Rener and became a certified instructor in January of 2020.
Izumi is a Certified Instructor under Gracie University and is certified to teach Gracie Combatives, Gracie BullyProof, and Women Empowered.
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When Izumi is not on the mat, she is spending time with her husband and 3 kids or working on her graphic design business, Izumi Creations.
Kanani Oliveira-Blas
Kanani is a Blue Belt under Ryron and Rener Gracie.
Kanani has been training since 2016 and started her Jiu-Jitsu journey by learning the self-defense techniques in the Women Empowered program at Central Oahu Jiu-Jitsu. She earned her Pink Belt and became a Certified Women Empowered Assistant Instructor in July of 2017. She then continued her journey by completing the Gracie Combatives program and receiving her Combatives Belt, and is now continuing her journey in the Master Cycle. Kanani received her Official Blue Belt and became a certified instructor in August of 2020.
Kanani is a Certified Instructor under Gracie University and is certified to teach Gracie Combatives, Gracie BullyProof, and Women Empowered.
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When Kanani is not on the mat, she is the owner and Kumu Hula of Kanani Oliveira Wahiawa Hula Studio II. She works throughout the community, Hawai'i, and around the world sharing Hawaiian Culture, Hula, and Hawaiian Music.
Cara Petty
Cara is a Blue Belt under Ryron and Rener Gracie.
Cara has been training since 2016 and started her Jiu-Jitsu journey by learning the self-defense techniques in the Women Empowered program at Central Oahu Jiu-Jitsu. She earned her Pink Belt and became a Certified Women Empowered Assistant Instructor in July of 2017. She then continued her journey by completing the Gracie Combatives program and receiving her Combatives Belt, and is now continuing her journey in the Master Cycle. Cara received her Official Blue Belt and became a certified instructor in August of 2020.
Cara is a Certified Instructor under Gracie University and is certified to teach Gracie Combatives, Gracie BullyProof, and Women Empowered.
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When Cara is not on the mat she is an avid skydiver who moonlights as a stunt woman. She also opens cans with her teeth and obsessively overthinks fight simulations and escapes.
Robert Ruiz
Robert is a Blue Belt under Ryron and Rener Gracie.
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Robert has been training since 2013 and earned his Blue Belt under Jamie Cruz (Renzo Gracie Black Belt). He continued his journey after finding COBJJ upon moving to Hawaii, by completing the Gracie Combatives program and received his Combatives Belt and had his Blue Belt officially recognized by Ryron and Rener Gracie in February of 2020. He continues his journey in the Master Cycle. Robert became a certified instructor in August of 2020.
Robert is a Certified Instructor under Gracie University and is certified to teach Gracie Combatives and Gracie BullyProof.
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When Robert is off the the Jiu-Jitsu mat, he continues his study in other martial arts he practices, and works as a Clinical Psychologist.