MIXED MARTIAL ARTIST
TEACHING THE YOUTH

Text: Kelly Pa‘o
Image: Lancifer Visual



The North Shore of O‘ahu is best known for its legendary surf spots, world-famous beaches and tropical weather. Yet people like Keola Silva just see the North Shore as a place they call home. Silva, better known as Ola, was born and raised in Waialua, a small town located on the North Shore. 



Growing up in the laid back lifestyle of The Country, Silva occupied his time with athletics. As a child Silva tried his hand at just about every sport. He participated in soccer, football, baseball, golf, judo and wrestling while attending Hale‘iwa Elementary and Waialua Middle School.



In 1995, he made a big transition to Kamehameha Schools, a private school for Native Hawaiians located in Honolulu. Throughout high school Silva focused his interest on one sport: wrestling. His dedication and passion showed as he excelled in the high school wrestling world. He was a junior varsity/varsity champion and ranked second in Hawai‘i.


After graduating from Kamehameha Schools in 1999, Silva got involved in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). MMA is a newly popular sport that allows for a variety of fighting techniques, including everything from boxing to jiu-jitsu. Contrast caught up with Silva to see what life has been like as an MMA fighter and a wrestling coach.

Contrast: When did you first start MMA fighting?
Ola Silva: After high school I was like, I need to do something. So I started with jiu-jitsu then got into MMA fighting in 2000. I’ve been doing it for almost nine years now. My last fight was a while ago, so I’m looking to fight in April or May. When I’m getting ready for a fight I train six days a week: Monday through Saturday. I do boxing classes, grappling classes and weight training.


That sounds pretty intense. After months of training and it comes to the day of your fight, do you have any pre-fight rituals?

 I wake up early in the morning and go to Waimea [Beach]. I meditate with my iPod, and listen to some Bob Marley. I suck on two bags of poi (a Hawaiian dish made from the root of the taro plant) all day, then four or five hours before the fight I watch a funny movie and go to sleep. At the arena I warm up, visualize a win, do a quick prayer and I should be ready to fight.


That’s a unique way to get ready for a fight compared to other competitors. What fighters do you look up to for inspiration?

David Santiago, he was one of the first fighters out of the North Shore. Chris West, David “Chinaman” Yeung, B.J. Penn, Matt Hughes and Georges St-Pierre.


Aside from MMA fighting you also dedicate a lot of time to coaching at your alma mater, Kamehameha Schools. How is that going?

I love it, I love coaching. I’ve been doing it for the last eight years. I teach P.E. at Mokulele Elementary School and go to wrestling practice right after. I am listed as Kamehameha’s Junior Varsity Head Coach, but it’s all mixed together. I help out with all the wrestlers.

So you are a role model for these young high school wrestlers. What advice do you offer them?

Growing up in Waialua I’ve learned many life lessons and about country living. I believe the most important thing is to set goals for yourself. Write out a list of things you want to accomplish and strive to reach those goals. Overall you just gotta remember to be you, don’t try to be somebody else.