Master Haumea Lefiti

The Lineage

Master Haumea Lefiti

Haumea F. Lefiti — known by his students and friends as "Tiny" — was born in Hawaii in 1930 and passed away in 1973 in Huntington Park, California. He spoke Japanese, Hawaiian, Samoan, and English fluently. In his early twenties he joined the US Marines during the Korean War and fought for his country with great distinction.

At one time, when attacked by the enemy, Tiny was separated from his troop. He roamed the hills for 80 days trying to find his group, surviving on plants and wildlife with nothing to drink except snow water. He fought in many battles and was decorated with multiple medals for his courage.

Tiny learned karate in Hawaii during his youth. While serving in the Marines he was stationed in Korea where he learned kung-fu. Later, in Taiwan, he learned Splashing Hands from a famous former nationalist army general. Before leaving Taiwan, his teacher gave him a letter to present to Master Ark Yuey Wong, asking him to accept Tiny as a student. After some initial reluctance, Master Wong accepted him.

Tiny's whole life was wrapped up in kung-fu, but he was equally skilled at building character. He expected his students to be honest, patriotic, and to have respect and love for all people. He always stressed that the strong should help the weak, that one should be modest about one's abilities, never be the one to start a fight — but also never to run. James McNeil studied under Master Lefiti from 1966 to 1973, earning the highest degree black belt awarded at that time in Splashing Hands.