After a lot of patience, dedication and hard work, the Kuwili Martial Arts Center opened yesterday in Iwilei, pleasing the 28 students who have not had a place to call their own for much of the past decade.

Yesterday their blue mats were spread out under the concrete lanai at the new home at the United Cerebral Palsy Association of Hawai'i center.

This is not your typical dojo. Anyone can achieve a black belt as long as they show a good attitude, try their best and come to class regularly, said martial arts instructor Martin Williams. The students he teaches all have cerebral palsy.

"It (martial arts) becomes a lifestyle and an identity," Williams said. "It gives the students the discipline to try hard and to come to class. They know never to offer excuses or to complain. They're awesome."

The students, who range from youths to adults, always try their best, Williams said. And martial arts can be a challenging sport on all levels, he said. Rank promotions are done on merit and based on effort, attitude and class attendance, he said.

When they leave the dojo, they walk away with a boost to their self-esteem, said Donna Fouts, executive director of United Cerebral Palsy Association of Hawai'i.

"We have seen so much personal growth in the students," Fouts said. "Some of the students were non-verbal and now are communicating. Others, who are employed, have shown a better attitude and better focus."

Even though Isaac Lau uses a wheelchair, he was able to perform. He and Clinton Irvine demonstrated the art of balancing and walking on their knees. For two years, Lau has been practicing on a regular basis and has earned his blue belt.

"It's an activity that's fun for me to do," said Lau, 27. "I get to use my muscles that I normally wouldn't be able to use."

Lau and the other students all have cerebral palsy, a condition that causes permanent brain damage that affects muscle movement and speech, but not intelligence, Fouts said.

Martial arts, regardless of physical ability, focuses on repetitions and developing core strength, she said.

"It's a very unique program for people with disabilities," Fouts said. "We're hoping that other groups bring their students to our martial arts school."

Now that the dojo has a permanent home, which was partially funded by grants from local businesses, it won't have to use converted classrooms or be the visitor at other centers, Williams said. The mats and the space are totally dedicated to martial arts.

Akira Etherington, who has achieved a black belt, yesterday demonstrated for the audience how nimble and athletic he is. Etherington, a natural athlete who has been in the Special Olympics for 20 years and participates in basketball, baseball, bowling, canoeing and swimming, yesterday did jumps, tumbling and kicking.

"It was a wonderful demonstration of their abilities," said his father, Bruce Etherington. "He has improved so much. "He's done a wonderful job."