O.A.K.A.???  A.O.K.A. ???

When the American karate Association was first started in early 1961, the intended name was to be Okinawan American karate Association (O.A.K.A.).  Bill Blond, the treasure at the time was given the task of getting the Charters, letterheads, and Certificates made up for the Association.  When he went to pick up his order, he discovered that the printing shop had made everything read American Okinawan karate Association (A.O.K.A) instead of Okinawan American Karate Association.  The officers had a meeting to decide what to do.  Because funds were low or non-existing in the treasury the officers on approval from Master Shimabuku Tatsuo left the name A.O.K.A.

This “DID YOU KNOW” was provided by Grand Master Harold Mitchum.

The following support documentation was supplied by Master john Bartusevics.

Article #1 – was written for Master Shimabuku, Tatsuo by then Staff Secretary Ralph Bove.  The letterhead reads Okinawan American karate Association and is dated 4/12/1961.

Article #1 – was written for Master Shimabuku, Tatsuo by then Staff Secretary Ralph Bove.  The letterhead reads Okinawan American karate Association and is dated 4/12/1961.

 Article #2 – was written for Master Shimabuku, Tatsuo by the President Harold Mitchum.  The letterhead reads American Okinawan Association and is dated 6/10/1961.  Take careful note that when typing the letter Master Mitchum typed O.A.K.A. under his name and then took a pen and wrote A.O.K.A. over the mistyped letters. 

Copyright © 2007 Bohan’s Family. All Rights Reserved

If you have an interesting "Did You Know" forward it to the web master at chinto@cox.net and we will be sure to pass on the credit.