Our Roots

Our story began in the mid-1990s when founder Chris Lund first stepped onto the mats at the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy of Hawaii under Relson Gracie. Training alongside pioneers like Royce Gracie, the first UFC champion, and learning directly from Grandmaster Helio Gracie, Chris built a foundation grounded in leverage, efficiency, and deep respect for the origins of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Guided by an American Original

Chris further honed his skills under Chris Haueter, a member of the “Dirty Dozen”, the first group of non-Brazilian BJJ Black Belts. Haueter’s strategic and creative approach instilled a “thinking man’s” mindset that continues to shape our academy’s teaching philosophy.

Black Belt Lineage

In 2009, Chris earned his Black Belt under Renato “Charuto” Verissimo, UFC veteran and first-generation Nova Uniao member. Charuto’s fluid, creative style refined Chris’s game. In 2023, he achieved 4th-degree Black Belt with Nova Uniao Hawaii, marking decades of dedication, perseverance, and passion for the art.

Beyond the Mat: The Influence of Bruce Lee

Chris has trained in Jeet Kune Do and Filipino Kali under Guro Burton Richardson and Guro Dan Inosanto, Bruce Lee’s protégé. These arts instilled principles of adaptability, efficiency, and personal expression. These are values that now permeate the culture and training approach of our academy.

Modern Grappling Expertise

Always evolving as a martial artist, Chris has trained with Dean Lister, multi-time ADCC champion and leg lock innovator, and studied no-gi foundations with 3-time ADCC champion Yuri Simoes. Both have been on our mats, sharing their knowledge directly with our students.

Supportive. Experienced. Student-Focused

Our lineage runs deep, our experience runs decades, and our mission is simple: help every student grow through Jiu-Jitsu.