Kenwa Karate of Sitka

Kenwa Karate of Sitka is a martial arts school in Sitka, AK, located at 208 Smith St. The dojo teaches the traditional Shito-Ryu style of karate to youth and families, offering school year classes for ages 4 to adult and summer classes for ages 6 and up. Current students may also book private lesson appointments.

The program was founded in 1984 by Michael Taylor Sensei as a program under Community Schools. In 2002, it restructured to become a registered non-profit with the State of Alaska and obtained federal 501(c)3 designation in 2006. The school is governed by a volunteer board of directors that works to keep the program running. Regular classes are held at the New Archangel Dancers studio, also known as N.A.D. Studio, at 208 Smith St.

Laurinda Marcello Sensei has served as the lead instructor since 2013 and holds a 3rd Dan black belt, which was awarded by world-renowned instructor Katsutaka Tanaka Sensei. She began training as a child in Sitka and continued her education in Juneau, where she served as an assistant instructor. She continues to train under her first instructor, Michael Taylor Sensei. Marcello Sensei has served as a judge for state, regional, and national karate tournaments. Outside the dojo, she holds an M.S. in Fisheries and works as the Bookkeeping Manager for the Alaska Longline Fishermen’s Association.

Assistant instructors include Liam, Chatham, Jade, and Rianna. Liam, who earned his black belt in 2026, was part of the third-place kata team at the 2020 Amateur Athletic Union Virtual Nationals and taught a summer weapons class in 2024-2026. He began as an assistant instructor in 2022. Chatham, who holds a green belt, started teaching during the 2025-2026 school year. Jade, who has studied karate since 2018, co-taught Little Dragons classes during the 2025-2026 school year. Rianna, who earned her black belt in 2024, holds trophies in kumite and a bronze medal in team kata from the 2020 AAU Virtual Nationals. She began as an assistant instructor in 2022.

The school provides high-quality martial arts instruction to Sitkans and visitors.

The school is located on Smith Street in Sitka, AK, about a tenth of a mile from the New Archangel Dance Studio. It is also situated near Sawmill Creek Road, which is roughly two tenths of a mile away.

Services:

• Little Dragons Program (ages 4-6)
• Private Lessons
• Seminars and Seasonal Offerings
• Youth Karate Classes (ages 7 to adult)