History of Kajukenbo

In 1947, in the Palama Settlement of Hawaii five martial artists got together and formed a pact: They would take two years to create the ideal fighting art, one that would make them invincible in the toughest streets of Hawaii. These five men were Frank Ordonez, P.Y.Y. Choo, Joe Holck, Clarence Chang and Adriano Emperado. This organization became known as the notorious Black Belt Society.

The word Kajukenbo is derived from the letter of the styles that contributed to the creation of the art. Together they make up the Kajukenbo motto: Through this fist art one gains long life and happiness.

	KA (long life) - comes from the word Karate, an art form that places the emphasis on hard and powerful techniques. The karate influence was from Tang Soo Do brought by P.Y.Y. Choo.
	JU (happiness) - comes from Judo and Jujitsu, art forms that emphasize throwing, locks and sweeps. The judo and jujitsu influence was from Kodenkan Danzan Ryu brought by Joe Holck and Se Keino Ryu brought by Frank Ordonez.
	KEN (fist) - comes from China & Okinawa that not only stresses the hard and powerful movements, but emphasizes multiple and fluid hand techniques. The kenpo influence was from Kosho Shorei Kenpo brought by Adriano Emperado.
	BO (style) - comes from Chinese and American boxing. Chinese boxing means Kung Fu, which puts emphasis on flexibility and agility, parrying and evasive movements that flow together. The Chinese boxing influence was from Northern and Southern Sil-lum styles brought by Clarence Chang.

Today’s Kajukenbo practitioners have now included tournament point-fighting, self-defense and forms competition into their training schedules. 

The Kajukenbo Motto Is: "To Train Strong Is To Remain Strong"

 

What is Kajukenbo?

At our School, Kajukenbo is both a traditional and progressive martial arts system. Kajukenbo training provides a broad and strong foundation to build on. It is a mixed martial art combing elements of Karate (KA), Judo & Jujitsu (JU), Kenpo (Ken) , and Boxing (Bo for Chinese boxing) , kickboxing , Muay Thai , and Western boxing).

Unlike the completely progressive thinking of taking what works and throwing out what doesn’t, Kajukenbo keeps strong roots in traditional methods, too. We like to say that we take the new and integrate it with the old. This creates a hybrid system which has both the benefits of adapting to the changing world, but also not forgetting those methods that have been proven successful through the test of time.

We believe that much of what does and doesn’t work is not only dependent on the person, but also the environment and culture for which that person interacts. When teaching, we attempt to provide the experience and cultural background to put the lesson in a context. Kajukenbo is not just a mix of techniques, but it is an integration of techniques and “cultures.” Hopefully the lessons that you learn from us will transcend the culture of the dojo (training hall) and allow you to apply these lessons effectively to help better yourself in other cultures and environments, in other parts of you life.

TRAINING

The training consist of warm-up, calisthenics, stretching and techniques; the exercise part of the class is part of the base structure of Kajukenbo. This is to insure that the Kajukenbo practitioner will be physically capable of defending themselves outside of the dojo, but the benefits of good health and exercise go beyond your abilities.

Emphasis is placed on kicking, punching, elbows, knees, defense, block strikes combination as well as sparring and grappling. Everyone will train in a safe manner as they becomes more skilled and confident Sigung challenges you to perform with control intensity.

KATA  (FORMS) TRAINING

Kata is performed to fine-tune the Kajukenbo practitioners’ movements. Kata is not fighting, it is a method to aid the practitioners mind and body of how one flows during a confrontational situation. We employ many different methods of kata from performance of kata to meditation, to focus, breaking movements into techniques, and breathing exercises.

Within each kata are the elements of self defense techniques, the applications. The application of kata is conducted with partners and helps to unlock the moves represented by the kata. Depending on the comfort and skill levels of the students, we work applications against a compliant partner.

SELF-DEFENSE TRAINING

We don’t teach you how to fight. That is a common misconception, that you can go to a training hall and learn how to fight. We teach you tools that you can use to defend yourself, we provide you with experience in various forms of combat & self defense, we provide knowledge and expert opinion, and we work on building up your awareness and mental attitude to prepare you for worst case scenarios.  The fight for self-defense must come from inside you, it must already be there.

We teach effective and proven tools, but we also understand that if you panic, have never been in a fight or been attacked by someone, never been taken to the ground by someone, then the tools won’t work the same in the classroom as on the streets. Understand that you have the ability to defend yourself already inside of you, but the tools we provide can take time to benefit you. Not only do we work on techniques that will help someone defend themselves, but we also must work the mental attitude of the student, to make sure they know how to accept hard training, to be mentally prepared for the worst.

THESE THINGS CAN TAKE TIME. WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?