Who We Are

Every great journey has a beginning. For Maka's Taekwondo, it began with one young man, a new country, and a willingness to build a life from the ground up.

In 1974, at just 23 years old, Master Houma Maka immigrated to the United States from Tonga, a collection of islands in the South Pacific. He left behind his parents and twelve siblings to pursue a new opportunity in America. While adjusting to a new culture and learning English, he discovered Taekwondo. What began as a way to meet people, build friendships, and find a sense of belonging would eventually become his life's work and the foundation of a family legacy.

Master Maka quickly developed a passion for martial arts, both as a student and competitor. His accomplishments included winning the national sparring championship in 1976, earning second place while representing Tonga at the 1977 World Taekwondo Games, and taking first place in the Tough Man boxing competition in 1982. After earning his black belt under Master Chang Hi Li, he was entrusted with the opportunity to take over the school and continue its instruction.

But his vision extended beyond competition. While working as a diesel mechanic and raising his three children, Master Maka began teaching Taekwondo and boxing out of his garage. With limited space but an abundance of determination, he began building something that would eventually reach generations of students and families.

Along the way, another important part of the story was taking shape.

Master Lisa Maka had been drawn to Taekwondo from a young age, watching her older brother train and compete. At fifteen, she convinced her parents to let her begin training, agreeing to pay half of her monthly tuition. That decision would shape the rest of her life. She continued training through college, where she met Master Houma Maka. Their friendship, shared passion for martial arts, and years of training and traveling to tournaments together eventually grew into marriage, a family, and more Taekwondo.

Master Lisa developed into an accomplished competitor in her own right, earning third place in sparring at the 1990 Nationals and second place in forms at the 1992 Nationals. She also competed in the Olympic Festival. Together, Master Houma and Master Lisa built a school centered on more than techniques and trophies. They created a place where hard work, discipline, respect, and perseverance could be developed through martial arts.

Their children, Sarah and Jeremiah, grew up on the mats. Taekwondo was a choice for them - and they both decided to train and compete alongside each other. Both earned their black belts, competed in tournaments locally and nationally, and eventually became instructors themselves. Jeremiah continued his athletic career playing college football in Minnesota and Nebraska while maintaining his connection to Martial Arts. Sarah competed at the 2016 National Taekwondo Championships, earning second place in sparring.

In 2021, Sarah Smith became a co-owner and co-head instructor, marking the beginning of the school's second generation of family leadership. Having grown up inside the school, she understood firsthand what Taekwondo had given her: confidence, discipline, resilience, and a community that expected her to work hard and hold herself accountable. Today, she brings that same foundation to the next generation of students.

The journey has not been without its challenges. In 2024, the Maka family lost Master Houma Maka, whose vision and dedication had built the foundation of the school. His absence is deeply felt, but the principles he instilled continue to guide everything we do. Master Lisa Maka carries forward the legacy she helped build alongside him, while Sarah continues leading the school into its next chapter.

And that next chapter has brought tremendous growth.

What began as instruction in a garage has grown into a family-owned martial arts school serving students and families throughout the all of Eastern South Dakota. In March 2026, Maka's Taekwondo expanded into a second training space, affectionately known as "The House," allowing us to offer more classes, additional training opportunities, and room for even more students to grow. With expanded facilities, a growing instructor team, and a renewed commitment to developing well-rounded martial artists, we are building on the same foundation that started more than four decades ago.

Today, Maka's Taekwondo is about much more than learning how to kick, punch, or earn a new belt. It is about developing people. We believe the lessons learned on the mat should carry into the classroom, the workplace, the home, and the community. We teach our students to show respect, take responsibility, persevere through challenges, and understand that meaningful progress comes through consistent effort.

We celebrate competition and achievement, but we believe the greatest victories are often the ones that cannot be measured by medals or rankings. They are found in the student who gains confidence, the child who learns self-control, the teenager who discovers the value of commitment, and the adult who realizes it is never too late to challenge themselves.

Our school has been built through generations of family, countless hours of training, the support of parents, the dedication of instructors, and the commitment of students who have become part of something bigger than themselves.

From a young immigrant finding his place in a new country to a family continuing his vision through the next generation, the story of Maka's Taekwondo is still being written.

What a privilege God has given us to serve the families inside our walls.

Welcome to Maka's Taekwondo.