Pro fighters join Ilima-Lei Macfarlane to lead anti-bullying workshop

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Professional fighters are holding an anti-bullying workshop this weekend at the Blaisdell Exhibition Hall.

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“Some of the best humans I know are some of the craziest fighters I know,” said MMA star Ilima-Lei Macfarlane.

Macfarlane’s next fight isn’t in the octagon, but in the community.

She’s leading the charge to provide Hawaii’s keiki with the tools they may need to stay safe.

“I don’t know if it’s the summertime or what kids have too much time on their hands, they’re not in school. It just feels like the summertime is when a lot of crazy incidents start happening,” Macfarlane said.

The Punahou graduate created the “Warriors Don’t Bully” self-defense workshop last year, after disturbing video surfaced of a Wahiawa assault on a young woman with special needs.

“We don’t want to make this just a one-time thing every year when something bad happens we want to make this part of our lifestyle,” said Macfarlane.

She’s invited other professional fighters, including Martin Day and Yancy Medeiros, to join her at the Blaisdell this weekend to teach classes.

“That’s what martial arts gives us. It gives us the gift of confidence and many times that confidence comes through just the ability that you know how to protect yourself,” Day said.

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Saturday’s workshop is designed for keiki while Sunday’s session is more focused on women.

“I truly believe that every woman has a warrior within them. We have a wahine toa in us and it’s just a matter of finding her. We do actually face different kinds of threats as women that I want them to be aware of. I always call it the defense before the defense,” said Macfarlane.

There will also be classes for parents on how to recognize the signs of bullying and guide their child through tough times.

Organizers also hope the event will show that knowing how to fight doesn’t make you a violent person.

“People who are the most equipped to be able to defend themselves and be able to fight and use that violence on someone else are some of the most peaceful people and they’re the ones that are least likely to fight,” said Day.

Macfarlane says her goal is to teach these classes in schools and even bring the seminar to the neighbor islands.

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