CRAIG T. KOJIMA / CKOJIMA@STARADVERTISER.COM
Martial arts champion Ron Van Clief, left, consulted with his attorney Thursday during his arraignment on terroristic threatening and kidnapping charges.
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A martial arts champion pleaded not guilty Thursday to first-degree terroristic threatening and kidnapping charges involving a 51-year-old man in Waikiki last month.
Ron Van Clief, 72, of Waikiki appeared before Circuit Judge Richard Perkins. His trial date is set March 7.
Outside of the courtroom after the arraignment, Van Clief declined to comment.
On Dec. 20, Michael Vincent said he and Van Clief were having a friendly conversation in Van Clief’s Waikiki apartment when the older man suddenly became angry and told Vincent he had insulted his jiujitsu.
Police said Van Clief then grabbed a kitchen knife and threatened to kill Vincent. When Vincent attempted to leave, Van Clief allegedly blocked the front door. However, when Van Clief briefly turned away, Vincent opened the door and fled.
Police arrested Van Clief, and he was later charged with the offenses. He was released from custody after posting $25,000 bail.
Van Clief is a five-time world karate and kung-fu martial arts champion and 15-time All-American champion. He has appeared in martial arts movies, and was called the “Black Dragon” by the late martial arts legend Bruce Lee.
