Ohana in the News
A Night of Music for Ohana
October 1st-31st, 2025
Join the Movement. Give Blood. Honor Survivors.
Throughout October, Bloodworks Northwest has partnered with Ohana Self-Defense and Rose City Self-Defense to host a month-long blood drive in remembrance of lives lost to domestic violence — and to replace the blood survivors needed in life-saving transfusions.
Schedule your donation today and give back.
Catch the video news update for this campaign online via Bloodworks NW.
October 10th, 2025
The Columbian
‘We always want to make sure it’s survivor-centered through a trauma-informed lens’
Formed in August 2024, Ohana Self Defense provides free self-defense classes for women, youth and members of the LGBTQ+ community ages 14 and up across Clark County. The classes, designed specifically for survivors of violence, focus on uplifting participants by teaching them self-defense techniques that can be applied to real-world situations.
Letter: Ohana story is inspirational
"I read the story about this group of five women (“Free self-defense training for women: Ohana Self Defense’s mission in Clark County,” The Columbian, Oct. 10). It was very inspiring to read about how an idea is now serving women and youth who can learn self-defense strategies. I hope they are able to grow this into a stable nonprofit."
By Greg Flakus, Vancouver
Published: October 15, 2025, 6:00am
September 27th, 2025
KATU 2 ABC
They not only provide physical self-defense classes, they are also working to provide education and resources to help empower those who need it most! Wendy Bukoski, founder of Ohana Self-Defense in Vancouver, as well as Sara Johnston, program director at Rose City Self-Defense shared more!