Service Description

Kajukenbo is a hybrid martial art that was developed in Hawaii in the late 1940s. It combines techniques from various martial arts to create a comprehensive self-defense system. Kajukenbo was created in the Palama Settlement of Oahu, Hawaii, by five martial artists from different disciplines who sought to develop a more effective and versatile martial art for self-defense. The name “Kajukenbo” is an acronym representing the five martial arts that form the foundation of the system: • Ka - Karate • Ju - Judo/Jujitsu (originally with Japanese principles & evolving BJJ) • Ken - Kenpo (Specifically Chinese Kenpo) • Bo - Boxing (American Boxing) & Kung Fu (Chinese Boxing) The founders, known as the “Black Belt Society,” were: 1. Peter Young Yil Choo - Tang Soo Do (Korean Karate) expert. 2. Joseph Holck - Judo and Jujitsu practitioner. 3. Frank Ordonez - practitioner of Kenpo. 4. George “Clarence” Chang - a Kung Fu master. 5. Adriano Emperado - *the primary founder, who had training in Kenpo and was also experienced in Escrima, a Filipino martial art. The system was specifically designed to be effective in real street combat situations, and it incorporates techniques from each of these arts to cover all ranges of fighting: striking, grappling, and weapons defense. Kajukenbo’s philosophy is based on practicality, adaptability, and realism. It emphasizes self-defense techniques that are effective against real-world attacks rather than techniques that work only in a controlled, competitive environment. The Kajukenbo principles include: 1. Street Effectiveness: Techniques are designed to be straightforward and effective in street fights. 2. Adaptability: Kajukenbo practitioners learn to adapt techniques to fit different situations and opponents. 3. Continuous Evolution: The art is open to new techniques and strategies, and it evolves by incorporating new and effective methods from other martial arts. 4. Mental Toughness: Building mental resilience and a fighting spirit is crucial in Kajukenbo training. Kajukenbo remains popular for its practical approach to self-defense and its adaptability to modern combat sports and self-defense needs. It is practiced worldwide and has influenced many other martial arts styles. Practitioners appreciate its “anything goes” philosophy in combat situations, blending traditional martial arts with modern street fighting awareness. Additional Notable Practitioners Al Damascus, Charles Gaylord, Chuck Lidell & D-Smoke.