Founded in 1948, the Japan Karate Association (JKA) was highly appreciated for its social activities, and received approval from the Japanese Ministry of Education as a “General Incorporated Association” in 1957. JKA aims to promote improvement of its skills and self-discipline by research and instruction of Karatedo. JKA Hawaii teaches Shotokan karate, the most popular Japanese style as developed by Gichin Funakoshi. It is the only Karate School in Hawaii affiliated with the Japan Karate Association.