Our Roots

Ohana Martial Arts grew from more than three decades of Martial Arts experience and a direct connection to the early roots of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in America.

Founder Chris Lund trained in Hawaii under Relson Gracie, with opportunities to share the mat with UFC legend Royce Gracie and learn directly from Grandmaster Helio Gracie. Those early experiences helped shape an approach that still guides Ohana today: efficient technique, intelligent training, respect for the art, and Jiu-Jitsu for a lifetime.

Beyond Technique

Chris continued his training with Chris Haueter, one of the early American pioneers of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Haueter’s approach went beyond collecting techniques. He taught Chris to look for the ideas underneath them: movement, timing, connection and problem-solving. That influence still shapes how Jiu-Jitsu is taught at Ohana today, helping students understand what they’re doing, why it works and how to make it their own.

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 approach became a lasting influence on Chris’s Jiu-Jitsu and the way he teaches. In 2023, Chris received his 4th-degree Black Belt under Charuto, continuing a relationship and lineage that has shaped his approach for nearly decades.

The Influence of Bruce Lee

Chris’s Martial Arts roots extend beyond Jiu-Jitsu. His early training in Jeet Kune Do and Filipino Kali, under Burton Richardson and Dan Inosanto, introduced him to Bruce Lee’s philosophy of adaptability, efficiency and personal expression. Those ideas became a lasting influence on how Chris approaches Jiu-Jitsu and remain part of the way Ohana teaches today.