This (his) following history in karate was written by Master Hill, up to when Vic made Shodan, and by Sensei Randy Hunt, from then to the time he died.

Sensei Faasuamalie began his karate training under me in the summer of 1968. From the beginning he showed the desire that would bring him to his black belt. After two weeks class he entered his first tournament in Bremerton. He had good hands, fair timing, and a winner’s instinct. Coming from a past as an amateur boxer, and many street fights, he felt he could handle most white belts. He lost his first fight three-up by getting kicked three times. I think this loss was an extra spark in Faasuamalie’s tournament career.

He fought in many tournaments as a colored belt, placing in most all he entered. As a green belt he took a stronger interest in kata and won several Kata Trophies along with his fighting.
Victor was a gambler through-out his life. He was a card player, and a pool hustler, which kept him in the taverns – at times earning his living this way. The nightly roaming of the bars put Vic into many opportunities to use his art as a means of self-defense.

By the time Sensei Victor was ready to be tested for black belt he had street tested the majority of techniques taught at the Bremerton Dojo. I cannot say that Victor could not have walked away from some of these fights, but I can truthfully say that I never heard tell of Sensei Vic actually start a fight. He was not one to turn the other cheek though.
In the dojo as a student Sensei Victor went by the code of respect. He could always use what was taught often making up his own combinations of techniques. He was super as wipe-outs and a showman when giving or receiving at demonstrations.
Sensei Vic could teach more to a student during a sparring match with him, than most students could learn in 20 or more matches with others. He was inventive and would often come up with training methods for developing coordination, timing, reflexes, and etc. Some of these I still practice for myself.

He often, at my request, would give talks on street fighting strategy, problems with the law, police, etc. He believed in Butokukan Brotherhood. One of his favorite statements to a fellow karateka who went out on the town with him was . . . . “If we get into trouble and I go to the hospital and you don’t, when I get out, you will.” And he meant it.    Master Robert Hill

As a result of Dave Gunter’s request to Master Hill, Sensei Vic started teaching classes in Shelton, Washington in August 1972. Starting with a small class and working out in a fire hall, he expanded the class and moved it to a health spa. From there he moved his classes to the bowling alley. After continued increases in the number of students, he moved to the present location of the Shelton Dojo, 112 Cota St., where he could have the building to himself. He also taught self-defense classes for Olympic College, as an extension course, in Shelton and in Port Orchard, Washington for about 18 months.

As a black belt, he competed in a few tournaments. One was the 1972 Seattle Open where he took 3rd place in the same division that Sensei Hill took 1st. One tournament he competed in was supposed to be a closed “All Tae Kwon Do” tournament, but they let him compete when he showed up because they hadn’t told him it was not an open tournament. In that tournament he took 2nd place in Black belt Kata and 1st place in Black belt Heavyweight Kumite. But, he was disappointed on finding out that there would be no Grand Championship match to fight in.

Sensei Faasuamalie worked on his students hard. He stressed sparring and pair-techniques (self-defense) in all tests he administered. One of his favorite questions was “How do you spell Butokukan?” You had to capitalize the “B” before he would accept it! Another thing he always made his students aware of was that he figured that if a Butokukan student started a fight and lost they had degraded Butokukan, and he would not accept that from his students.

Vic had two students that attained the black belt rank. Sensei Randy Hunt (whom he took from Jukyu) and Sensei Mike Sanders (whom he got as a brown belt from Sensei Robert Long). He had them tested by Master Hill in May 1974. Sensei Sanders has since taught classes in Olympia and Spokane. Sensei Hunt is now teaching in the Shelton Dojo, that Sensei Vic began, as well as in the Silverdale Dojo that he started in 1986.

It was due to a change in his occupation that Vic turned the Shelton Dojo over to his student, Sensei Hunt, in November 1974. After that he started teaching privately in his garage and made frequent trips to the Shelton Dojo.
Sensei Vic was working as a policeman for Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, Washington, was a very good golfer, was the best in Kitsap and Mason County on a pool table, and still found time to start teaching morning classes at the Bremerton Dojo in September 1978.

REFLECTIONS

Sensei Faasuamalie could charm most people. He made friends easily, but was not that close to but a few. He was admired by many, but at the same time feared by those same people. Over the years I had had many talks with Victor about his actions outside the dojo. At times I was tempted to be more like him in his carefree life, but it was to much in opposition to my inner feelings. I tried to change Vic into my image, but in later years felt it was not right for me to impose my outlook on him.

I sparred Vic in the dojo many many times, and from day one to well into blackbelt I can say Victor never fought me to score, he never pressed or pushed, he showed no ego at all in his fights with me. He did this out of respect for our instructor-student relationship, which he held till the end. I will always remember the good side of Sensei Victor Faasuamalie. He had a positive influence on many students and instructors at the Bremerton Dojo and it is for this that I will always remember Vic.
Shihan Hill

Sensei Faasuamalie taught me some of the most important concepts of karate; those intangible ideas that give life, personality, confidence and power to every technique. His instruction was always direct and effective. His weekly trips to Shelton were proof of his dedication to Butokukan and his students. I will always remember Vic for that part of himself that he openly gave others.
Sensei Mike Sanders

I started karate because of wanting the ability to protect myself. After starting in the martial arts and looking for someone to help me, I met Vic. His info was very important to me (I listened closely). I had hours of discussions with Vic. I agreed 90% with his theory about street fighting. I feel that Vic did a lot for the martial arts (in his own way) but you have to understand him and the way he thought. I will always feel that Vic helped me in a special way and I will miss Vic very much.
Sensei Dan Morris

Sensei Vic’s ability always impressed me from the time I started. He was always so light and fast on his feet, but when he scored it felt like he was anchored like a rock. He coached a lot of people, and I myself would have dropped out very early, if he hadn’t spent some time with me and showed me how to deliver more power.
Sensei Gordy Johnson

Sensei Vic was a hard person to really know, but I do know he had a lot of respect for all the traditional aspects of Butokukan. He taught me to always respect kumite techniques (especially the ones from a higher ranking belt) and to be humble to all ranking Butokukan Black belts. He taught me to have my classes always bow to a visiting black belt, whether in gi or street clothes. He taught me to have strictness in my class without being to strong with them.

Sensei Vic was a brown belt when I started, and I remember he would give lectures in class on how best to defend yourself in a street situation. His techniques were always unique and effective. I am going to miss Sensei Faasuamalie’s companionship and leadership. I hope I will be able to continue to up-hold all that he has taught me.
Sensei Bill Olson

Victor to me was more that a friend. It is hard to put into words how I feel. I remember when I first started that I would always want to learn from him. If you wanted to learn how to survive in the street, he would be the guy to learn from. He was unpredictable with his techniques, he would deliver and you did not know what was going to come at you next.

Victor did have his hot moments, but I will always remember how he had a very good sense of humor and would always make me laugh because of something he said or did during workout. I can not say anything bad about Vic. I just wish I could say “Hi” to him right now. I know that I will be one person of many that is going to miss him and his big feet around the dojo.
Sensei John Argyle

Sensei Vic was always an inspiration to me. Every Saturday I could always count on him to help me work on techniques as I worked up through the ranks. He was always more than willing to share his ideas with anyone. He was always patient and would go out of his way to help others. Vic was also one of the craftiest fighters I’ve ever come across. He could find your weak points and turn them against you in a very short time.

Out of the dojo Vic was always a pleasure to be around. He always had a smile and a kind word. His sense of humor was always welcomed, by everyone. His passing has created a void in many lives that can never be totally filled.
Sensei Doug Johnson

Sensei Vic was my close friend long before I started karate. More like a brother! He came into my life when I was still trying to find out who I was and where I was going. He was one of the main reasons I am what I am today. He taught me too many things to number. With him goes a part of me. I will never forget.
Sensei Randy Hunt