In 1983, Kit Michaels and Nihad Khalaf, who were both actively practicing at the other two dojos, opened the third Seattle area dojo. The classes were initially held at the Cultureal Center at the University of Washington, and later calsses were offered through the Shoreline YMCA. For two years, the YMCA classes were held at Cordell Hull Elementary School.
In 1985, the Seattle Parks and Recreation Department agreed to offer the classes at its Meadowbrook Community Center in North Seattle, the Dojo's present location.
Kit moved to Hawaii and then to Oregon, but Nihad has continued to lead the dojo since then. For a few years Ken Burrows lived in Seattle, and helped to lead the Dojo. Since its beginning, North Seattle has helped several Shotokan members to attain their black belts, who are Linda Iverson, Tony Larson, Justin Royter, and Joel Blakely. Many others have contributed to the success of the Dojo, and together they continue the tradition of marathon practices with Nihad.
Copyright © 1996 by John Gosink