TITLES AND RANK REQUIREMENTS
11th degree Juichidan (Shodai Soke) (Kaiso) or Sijo Founder of a Martial Art System
Black Belt in Hawaiian Lua Title Kumu Lua
Black Belt in Kempo under 4th degree Title Sensei
Black Belt in Kombatan Title Guru
Black Belt in Wing Chun Title Sifu Black Belt under 14 years old Title Kyosei
Assistant Instructor under Black belt level Sempai
Master Proficiency level or Title Master may be awarded to the modern rank of 4th Dan or above.
Renshi Proficiency level or Title The character "Ren" means "polished, tempered" and "shi" means "person". Thus Renshi indicates a "polished instructor" or expert. Renshi may be awarded to the modern rank of 5th Dan or above. Shihan TitleShihan a title attributed normally to a 6th Dan Black Belt and above "Shi" means teacher or "master" and "Han" means an example, model or pattern. Kyoshi Proficiency level or Title The "Kyo" in Kyoshi means "professor" or "philosophy". Therefore, Kyoshi equals a "professor" capable of teaching the philosophy of the martial arts. Kyoshi may be awarded to the modern rank of 7th Dan and above. Hanshi Title The "Han" in Hanshi means "example, model" and indicates "a teacher that can serve as an ideal model for others", or a "senior master". Hanshi may be awarded to the modern day rank of 8th Dan and above. Alihikaua (General - Commander) Head of a Hawaiian Martial Art System or Organization Mekia Alihikaua (Major General - Commander)Head of a Hawaiian Martial Art System or Organization promoted by Olohe Solomon Kaihewalu. SokeHead of Martial Art System or Organization Shodai SokeFounder of a martial arts system and head of the Organization Nidai SokeSecond generation of a martial arts system and head of the Organization Dai SokeTemporary instructor in place of the Soke Kaiso Title Kaiso is the founder of a martial art system. Sijo Title Sijo is the founder of a martial art system.
The titles of Shihan, Professor, Grandmaster, Hanshi, Kumu Lua Mekia Alihikaua, Kaiso, Sijo, and Soke all can be use as the higher level title of a particular system, depending on the lineage of the system. Sokeship Title Approval Currently, Dr. Shodai Soke Carlos de Leon is the only approval authority who can grant Nidai sokeships. In the event of Dr. Carlos Deleon absence from this life, Hanshi Nidai Soke Matt Nocerino, Hanshi Nidai Soke Bernard Lapointe, Renshi Nidai Soke Mark Cox, Kyoshi Nidai Soke Chris Delgado, Kyoshi Nidai Soke Pablo Gobbi, and Nidai Soke Shahla de Leon have the authority to continue teaching the MO'O Lua system and have the authority to grant Nidai Sokeship titles to future 5th-degree black belts and above. In the absence of Dr. Shodai Soke Carlos Deleon, Two or more Nidai sokes have to approve any future sokeships for black belts with the 5th degree and above rank. Sokeships titles are independent from rank. Hence, rank progression continues via senior black belts testing and promoting junior black belts. i.e. a 5th degree black belt with the title of Nidai Soke will continue to be promoted by senior rank black belts in the system.
Black Belt in Kempo under 4th degree Title Sensei
Black Belt in Kombatan Title Guru
Black Belt in Wing Chun Title Sifu Black Belt under 14 years old Title Kyosei
Assistant Instructor under Black belt level Sempai
Master Proficiency level or Title Master may be awarded to the modern rank of 4th Dan or above.
Renshi Proficiency level or Title The character "Ren" means "polished, tempered" and "shi" means "person". Thus Renshi indicates a "polished instructor" or expert. Renshi may be awarded to the modern rank of 5th Dan or above. Shihan TitleShihan a title attributed normally to a 6th Dan Black Belt and above "Shi" means teacher or "master" and "Han" means an example, model or pattern. Kyoshi Proficiency level or Title The "Kyo" in Kyoshi means "professor" or "philosophy". Therefore, Kyoshi equals a "professor" capable of teaching the philosophy of the martial arts. Kyoshi may be awarded to the modern rank of 7th Dan and above. Hanshi Title The "Han" in Hanshi means "example, model" and indicates "a teacher that can serve as an ideal model for others", or a "senior master". Hanshi may be awarded to the modern day rank of 8th Dan and above. Alihikaua (General - Commander) Head of a Hawaiian Martial Art System or Organization Mekia Alihikaua (Major General - Commander)Head of a Hawaiian Martial Art System or Organization promoted by Olohe Solomon Kaihewalu. SokeHead of Martial Art System or Organization Shodai SokeFounder of a martial arts system and head of the Organization Nidai SokeSecond generation of a martial arts system and head of the Organization Dai SokeTemporary instructor in place of the Soke Kaiso Title Kaiso is the founder of a martial art system. Sijo Title Sijo is the founder of a martial art system.
The titles of Shihan, Professor, Grandmaster, Hanshi, Kumu Lua Mekia Alihikaua, Kaiso, Sijo, and Soke all can be use as the higher level title of a particular system, depending on the lineage of the system. Sokeship Title Approval Currently, Dr. Shodai Soke Carlos de Leon is the only approval authority who can grant Nidai sokeships. In the event of Dr. Carlos Deleon absence from this life, Hanshi Nidai Soke Matt Nocerino, Hanshi Nidai Soke Bernard Lapointe, Renshi Nidai Soke Mark Cox, Kyoshi Nidai Soke Chris Delgado, Kyoshi Nidai Soke Pablo Gobbi, and Nidai Soke Shahla de Leon have the authority to continue teaching the MO'O Lua system and have the authority to grant Nidai Sokeship titles to future 5th-degree black belts and above. In the absence of Dr. Shodai Soke Carlos Deleon, Two or more Nidai sokes have to approve any future sokeships for black belts with the 5th degree and above rank. Sokeships titles are independent from rank. Hence, rank progression continues via senior black belts testing and promoting junior black belts. i.e. a 5th degree black belt with the title of Nidai Soke will continue to be promoted by senior rank black belts in the system.

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