John Blair, founder of Mililani Shotokan and dojo leader, began Shotokan Karate practice training with Mr. Tsutomu Ohshima, founder of Shotokan Karate of America, at the California Institute of Technology in 1971. In 1972 he moved to Paris, France where he trained with Godan (5th degree black belt) Daniel Chemla. In 1979 he returned to the United States and trained in the San Francisco Bay area with Godan James Sagawa. From 1991–1998 he was head instructor of the SKA dojo at Stanford University. In 2014 he retired and moved to Oahu. He was awarded his Sandan (3rd degree black belt) by Mr. Ohshima in 1989.

Gary Fuchita began his SKA training at the Los Angeles Central Dojo in 1991 and was awarded his Shodan (first degree black belt) by Mr. Ohshima in 1995.