Who We Are
Our Mission
The Hawaii Kyudo Foundation (“HKF”)is a 501(c)3 Nonprofit dedicated to preserving, teaching, and promoting Kyudo, the art of traditional Japanese archery, in Hawaii.
Through cultural exchange, disciplined practice, and community engagement, we aim to foster personal growth, cross-cultural understanding, and the timeless values of respect, harmony, and precision.
Honolulu Kyudojo at Mau'Umae
HKF’s primary focus for the immediate future is bringing to fruition, in a formal partnership with the City of Honolulu, Hawaii’s first public, regulation-sized Kyudojo and related facilities at Mau’Umae Nature Park. HKF will design, build, and operate this facility at no cost to the City, gifting it to the City upon completion.
In May, 2025 HKF signed a formal, long-term agreement with the City of Honolulu whereby the City will provide undeveloped parkland on which HKF, at no cost to the City, will build, and operate a kyudojo. Once construction is completed, the dojo will be gifted to the City by HKF and available for supervised public use through structured programs.
Mau ′ Umae Nature Park will be the site of the dojo. Mau′Umae is the eastern-most ridge of the Ahupua ′ a of Palolo. Ancient lore says Kāne, god of life and the heavens, and Kanaloā, god of oceans and sea- voyaging, wrestled at Mau′Umae - trampling the grass and causing it to “Mauʻmae” or wither. Today, the park offers the perfect site for the kyudojo; shaded by mountains in the early morning and with a high bluff as a backdrop, the dojo will enjoy a serene setting.
The kyudojo is designed to International Kyudo Federation standards and will accommodate 6 concurrent archers. The Shajo (shooting gallery) is about 3,200 Sq. Ft. in size and includes a classroom, changing rooms, restrooms, and limited kitchen facilities. A spectator viewing area will be included adjacent to the grass-covered yamichi (arrow path) There will be parking for 20 vehicles. Construction of the dojo is anticipated to start in early 2026 and be completed by mid-year.
Community Outreach and Education: In its role as operator of Honolulu Kyudojo, HKF will develop & operate a number of programs to foster interest in kyudo. This will include introductory classes for all ages, student-focused classes, introductory demonstrations, as well as outreach to a broad spectrum of the community.
Mainland, Japan, and Global Relationships: Kyudo is practiced world-wide and kyudo enthusiasts are passionate about reaching out to fellow practitioners wherever they may be. We anticipate a very active program engaging with visiting kyudo practitioners from all corners of the world.
Community & Global
Board of Directors
We are privileged to have a distinguished Board of Director’s guiding the organization as we carry out the very significant kyudojo development project:
Curt Harada – Current President of Hawaii Kyudo Kai. Prior to his retirement Curt was the CFO Hawaiian Electric Industries. He also serves as the Treasurer of HKF.
Ai Oyama – Began her Kyudo practice in Japan and is a passionate kyudo practitioner at Hawaii Kyudo Kai. She earned her masters degree at the University of Hawaii at Manoa.
Carol Yatsuoka- A past President of Hawaii Kyudo Kai, as well as other martial arts. Carol is a graduate of the Shidler College of Business at U.H. and has extensive business management experience.
Craig Wagnild – Senior partner at Lung, Rose, Voss & Wagnild and Chair of its Transactional Law department. Craig is fluent in the Japanese language and lived in Japan for several years prior to earning his law degree.
Hiroko Dewitz – Competed in Kyudo at the collegiate level as a member of Kobe University’s Kyudo Team. Hiroko is a retired CPA and serves as President of HKF.
Bob Dewitz – Retired business owner and graduate of the MBA program at U.H. as well as the Harvard Business School Owner Management Program. He serves as Secretary of HKF and is also heading up the development effort for Honolulu Kyudojo.