Since 1990
About Us
The American Karate-Escrima Association was established in 1987 by Mr. Glenn F. Harmaning, who has been actively involved in the martial arts for over 45 years.
Our History
The American Karate-Escrima Association was established in 1987 by Mr. Glenn F. Harmaning, who has been actively involved in the martial arts for over 45 years. His ranks include the following:
- Escrima – Instructor, mainland director, Tobosa’s School of Kali-Escrima 1982-1987
- Japanese Karate – Fifth Degree Black – Tobosa’s KAJI-kumi
- Eagle Rank Tobosa’s School of Kali-Escrima Kenasag (crab) style
- American Eclectic Kenpo – 6th Degree Black, from Dr. John M. LaTourette
- Shichidan – 7th Degree Black with the title of Shihan from Midori Yama Budokai
In addition to his martial arts training Mr. Harmaning brings over 30 years of professional education experience to the teaching of martial arts. The AKEA makes sure all A.K.E.A. instructors have training in teaching methods which goes far beyond the typical “kick and punch” and “have-a-black-belt” credentials most martial arts instructors possess.
Mr. Harmaning began training in martial arts in 1968 when they were still relatively new in the United States in Shorei Kempo in Twin Falls. When his instructor moved away shortly thereafter Mr. Harmaing began studying with Mr. Robert Tidd who had just recently switched karate systems and had received his Shodan from Masters Raymond Tobosa and subsequently joined “Tobosa’s KAJI-Kumi art of Self-defense.” This was to be Mr. Harmaning’s primary martial art and Master Raymond Tobosa his primary teacher until 1987.
In 1973, he took the NNU karate class to Twin Falls for the first KAJI-Kumi tournament and seminar sponsored by Robert Tidd. Master Raymond and his brother Toby gave an amazing Escrima demonstration which was the first on the U.S. mainland of Tobosa Kali/Escrima. After placing first in brown belt forms and sparring, Mr. Harmaning was awarded his Shodan from Master Tobosa himself.
In those days, there were few formal tests. As students had trained and their skills improved, they were awarded ranks. No time limit was set, and students never questioned how long between tests. Students knew that if they didn’t get ranked, they weren’t ready.
Master Raymond Tobosa
Although Master Raymond’s karate was from the hard Japanese Kyokushin style, Mr. Harmaning essentially defined and standardized what the “karate” aspect was of Tobosa’s KAJI during 1975-1978. Master Raymond once told him, “If it makes your karate good, then do it.” Mr. Harmaning has followed that advice literally.
In 1977, Mr. Harmaning met with Master Tobosa in Las Vegas, tested for new ranks, and became the one of the mainland directors of Tobosa School of Kali/Escrima and Tobosa KAJI-kumi School of Self-Defense along with Michael Mulconery and Rick Hills. At this 1977 meeting, Mr. Harmaning was awarded his third degree black belts (Sandan).
In 1982, Mr. Harmaning began teaching in conjunction with Mr. Crayton Moss, athletic trainer for NNU who held black belts in Hawaiian Kenpo and Okinawan Kobudo (weapons). Mr. Harmaning became close friends with Sensei Moss and began in earnest training with the traditional Okinawan weapons (bo staff, sai, tunfa, nunchaku, kama, and oar.) However, the Kali/Escrima skills were to his view far more usable for self-defense than the traditional Okinawan weapons.
Mr. Harmaning wanted to improve the methods that he was now using. Once he had completed his college degree in Education, Mr. Harmaning knew that there were better ways to teach than the traditional ways of mass group instruction only. So in 1986, he stopped teaching the sport karate format of all group instruction and leased a 2,300 square foot building and opened the “The Idaho Kenpo and Karate-Do School of Self-defense”, a full-time martial arts school. He now based all his teaching on private lessons and taught skills that focused on self-defense and street fighting. Traditional karate methods of teaching were not as effective as they could be, because they didn’t fit proven educational and psychological principles nor did they fit into realistic self-defense for modern applications.
In the fall of 1987, Mr. Harmaning relocated to Kent, Washington to return to teach Junior High School full-time. After October 1987, Mr. Harmaning no longer acted as mainland director of Tobosa’s KAJI or Tobosa’s Kali/Escrima. During Mr. Harmaning’s last conversation with Master Tobosa, he wished Mr. Harmaning well and to continue in the direction he was going.
Mr. Glen Harmaning
In the fall of 1987, after great thought, research, and planning, Mr. Harmaning established the AMERICAN KARATE-ESCRIMA ASSOCIATION. He wanted to move away from strictly Japanese karate or strictly Kali/Escrima format taught at many schools. Mr. Harmaning chose the name “American Karate-Escrima” because he wanted to preserve some of the important martial art traditions that have their origins in Japan and Okinawa exclusively and have formed the very heart and soul of what the A.K.E.A. practices today.
He analyzed the original KAJI techniques as well as those from Hung-gar and Wing-chun kung-fu, Jeet-kune-do, Okinawan karate, Kenpo, and many of the Filipino arts. Mr. Harmaning focused on principles of motion, energy, and physiology which encompassed all aspects of the martial arts. The goal was that the A.K.E.A. would provide a well-rounded “encyclopedia” of skills for personal protection and he wanted to incorporate Kali/Escrima methods into the empty hand skills from the very beginning. The hard power-based methods of Japanese, Korean, or Okinawan karate were not nearly as useful for everyone as were the efficient, economical, and faster methods of the Chinese and Filipino arts. Believing, also, that self-defense can be learned best by practicing for self-defense, he arranged the rank structure around a vast array of self-defense techniques and fighting skills. Students would thus be familiar with many combinations and applications of self-defense. He expanded the original four belts of “KAJI” to eleven belts before black belt to aid in short-term goal setting and motivation for students.
In June of 1994 Shawn Noble, under the guidance of Mr. Harmaning, opened up the Auburn A.K.E.A. School of Self-Defense. This is also when Mr. Craig Moore’s involvement in the system began. Auburn A.K.E.A. School has now been open for over 22 years touching the lives of hundreds of students.
In 2005 Mr. Harmaning renewed his association with Sensei Moss, inviting Sensei Moss out yearly to run a Kobodo camp at the Auburn school. On July 10, 2009 Mr. Harmaning was awarded his 7th Degree Black Belt (Shichidan) by the Midori Yama Budokai Association.
EXCELLENCE
A.K.E.A INSTRUCTORS
INTEGRITY
Mr. Glen Harmaning
A.K.E.A Founder and Head Instructor
Mr. Harmaning has been actively involved in the martial arts for over 40 years. He has worked as a professional educator for over 32 years and brings that experience to the teaching of martial arts and training instructors.
He originally started in 1968 in Okinawan Karate but his life was changed when his instructor introduced him to Tobosa’s Kaji-Kumi art of self-defense and the Filipino martial arts of Kali and Escrima. Master Raymond Tobosa became his primary instructor until 1987.
Ranks Held:
Hachichidan (8th degree) with the title of Shihan with Midori Yama Budokai from Hanshi Ken Baker.
Rokudan (6th degree) In Kobudo American Kenpo Karate and Weapons from Hanshi Crayton Moss and Professor Bill Marron.
Rokudan (6th degree) in American International Karate Kung-Fu Schools of Self Defense from Dr. John Latourette.
Godan (5th degree) in Kaji-Kumi and Eagle rank in Kali-Escrima from Master Raymond Tobosa.
Shodan (1st degree) in Hawaiian Kenpo.
Mr. Craig Moore
Director of Curriculum
Development and
Implementation
and Senior Instructor
Mr. Moore started training at A.K.E.A. in June, 1994, and started teaching later that same year. He enjoys seeing students make a connection or master a skill that was previously unknown to them. His passion is the further exploration and expansion of the AKEA’s Escrima heritage, especially the knife and empty hand aspects of the Escrima training.
Ranks Held:
Rokudan (6th degree) with title of Kyoshi in the A.K.E.A.
Godan (5th degree) under Hanshi Moss in Okinawan Kenpo under in American Kempo Karate and Weapons. He is considered Hanshi Crayton Moss’s senior student in the Okinawan Kempo lineage.
Nidan (2nd degree) in Okinawan Kobudo in American Kenpo Karate and Weapons.
Mr. Josh Jordan
Senior Instructor
Mr. Jordan started training at the A.K.E.A. in 1996 and started teaching in 1997. He trained previously in Shotokan Karate. With a background in fitness and nutrition, he enjoys helping students reach their personal goal of losing fat or gaining muscle, while learning self defense. He is committed to teaching the physical skills of martial arts while applying attitude-shaping mental training aimed at bringing out the best character and physical potential in each student. He is a student first, always looking to advance his own martial arts and educational knowledge, to become an even more effective instructor.
Ranks Held:
Sandan (3rd degree) with title of Sensei in the A.K.E.A.
Sandan (3rd degree) in Kobudo in the American Kenpo Karate and Weapons.
Mr. Colin Remillard
Senior Instructor
Mr.Remillard started training at the A.K.E.A. in 2006 and started teaching in 2008. He trained previously in silat and kali, and has been training in jiu-jitsu for over 4 years. He is using his jiu-jitsu training to design the A.K.E.A. ground fighting curriculum.
Mr. Remillard holds a master’s degree in human movement from AT Still University and has been working in the fitness industry as a strength coach and personal trainer for
16 years. He is certified as a Level 2 Nutrition Coach through Precision Nutrition. Check out his website on online training and nutrition coaching.
Ranks Held:
Nidan (2nd degree) in the A.K.E.A.
Shodan (1st degree) in Kobudo in the American Kenpo Karate and Weapons
Blue Belt in Brazilian Jujitsu
Shodan (1st degree) in Yen Ming Shou Kuai.
“Find why you want to train and what you enjoy about it. When it gets hard just keep pushing. You will only fail if you quit walking through the door.”
Mr. Elliott Allen
Instructor
Mr. Allen and his family started training at the A.K.E.A. in November 2011. He chose the A.K.E.A. for his and his family’s Martial Arts training after viewing several schools in the area. What inspired him most about the program was its focus on mental discipline and mental training. In addition, the school had a mature and structured program on how to approach life via martial arts.
Mr. Allen enjoys the self-defense applications and the many tools and skills the A.K.E.A. has to offer. As one learns these skills and tools, they find themselves embarked on a remarkable journey of self-awareness and growth.
Mr. Allen has trained in two different disciplines throughout his life. He studied judo as a youth and later studied San Chuan Do (Chinese Boxing) where he ranked as a Senior Student.
Ranks Held:
Shodan (1st Degree) Black Belt in the A.K.E.A
“Stick to your training routine, the benefits will come. Training in the martial arts is about the journey, you reap what you have put into it.”
Mr. Caleb Friend
Instructor
Mr. Friend and his family started training at the A.K.E.A. in 2019 and becoming an instructor in 2020. He comes from a martial arts family training under his father in American Kenpo starting in 1992.
He values traveling and spending time with his family. The most interesting place he has visited is Kunta Hora – the bone church located in the Czech Republic.
“The AKEA is the best place to train because of the wide variety of backgrounds among the instructors and the welcoming culture that encourages students to push themselves to improve.”
Ranks Held:
Shodan (1st Degree) Black Belt from the A.K.E.A
Purple Belt (1st Stripe) in Kenpo Shui Bing Fa
Second Rank Okinawan Kenpo Karate under Mr. Moore in American Kenpo Karate and Weapons.
Mr. Phillip Hansen
Instructor
Mr. Hansen started training in the martial arts in 1974. Our the years he has trained in a variety of martial arts including Shorei Ryu, Mu Sool, Kuk Sool, and Taekwondo. He joined the A.K.E.A. in 1994 and started teaching in 2020. He loves to watch his student’s skill grow.
He is also a trained musician and teaches music for a living. Mr. Hansen is a teacher at heart and the goal of a true teacher is to produce students that can do it better than themselves.
“Martial arts is a way of life. The tenants, codes, Creeds, warrior spirit and physical demand are components that I believe in. It supplements my Christian beliefs and help me to maintain my personal spiritual growth.”
Ranks Held:
Shodan (1st degree) Black Belt in the A.K.E.A.
2nd Degree Black Belt in Taekwondo
1st Degree Black Belt in Kuk Sool
Mrs. Julie Friend
Instructor
Mrs. Friend and her family started training at the A.K.E.A. in 2019 and becoming an instructor in 2022.
She enjoys spending time with her family and reading.
She is one of the primary Little Dragon Instructors and now helps with managing the school.
“The AKEA is a great balance of strict discipline and realistic expectation for individual differences in body, experience, time, etc.
It is an encouraging environment that begins to feel a bit like family after a while. I am more confident out in the world. I am much better balanced and move better throughout my daily routines.”
Ranks Held:
Mrs. Friend holds the rank of Red Belt in the A.K.E.A.
She also studies Okinawan Kenpo Karate under Mr. Moore in American Kenpo Karate and Weapons.
Mrs. Carolann Blake
Instructor
Mrs. Blake started training at the A.K.E.A. in 2020 along with her family and become an instructor in 2023.
She enjoys quilting, paper crafting and camping.
“I enjoy seeing growth in my students. It’s even better when they notice it in themselves.”
“The AKEA has the best and most understanding instructors who want nothing more than to help our students learn how to defend themselves.”
Ranks Held:
Mrs. Blake holds the rank of Red Belt in the A.K.E.A.
She also studies Okinawan Kenpo Karate under Mr. Moore in American Kenpo Karate and Weapons.
Mrs. Askin Gallentine
Instructor
Mrs. Gallentine first became part of the A.K.E.A. family when her oldest daughter trained in 2011. She saw such progress and personal growth in her daughter, she knew the A.K.E.A. was also the right place for her son to train when he was ready.
Mrs. Gallentine began training in the martial arts after suffering a painful loss. She found training helped to restore her hope, confidence, dignity, and strength. She believes the blood, sweat, and tears that go into training is small price to pay compared to the vast amount of gain in return. She felt it was time to share her knowledge and experience with others, and thus applied for the position of Little Dragons Instructor in the Fall of 2017.
“I find it a great honor to be a role model for these children, and I believe it is I who has received the greatest gift in teaching them. They are incredible, inspiring, determined, creative, compassionate, open minded, and teachable. They keep me in the moment and grounded, smiling more than I’m supposed to, and laughing as well. Watching these students overcome challenges and refuse defeat is most amazing. I will testify that learning and growing is everlasting and will always remain priceless.”
Ranks Held:
Mrs. Gallentine holds the rank of Red Belt in the A.K.E.A.
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