Kajukenbo, the hybrid martial art born in post-war Hawaii. Built for real-world survival, it combines techniques from Karate, Judo, Kenpo, and more. Explore its origins, philosophy, and why it remains a powerful system for self-defence and personal growth.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Born on the rough streets of post-war Hawaii, Kajukenbo was designed for one thing—survival. A brutal, no-nonsense fusion of combat-tested techniques, it became the ultimate street-fighting system—honed in real brawls before ever reaching a dojo. More than just self-defence, Kajukenbo is a philosophy—one that values resilience, evolution, and real-world effectiveness.
Hawaii, the 50th state of the United States, is the home of Kajukenbo—a no-nonsense martial art forged in the streets for real-world survival.
Origins and History
The Palama settlement of Honolulu was infamous for violent brawls involving U.S. Navy sailors and locals. To survive in this hostile environment, five martial artists from different disciplines formed the Black Belt Society, developing a self-defence system built for the streets.
The founders were:
Adriano Directo Emperado (Kenpo).
Peter Young Yil Choo (Karate, Tang Soo Do).
Joseph Holck (Judo).
Frank Ordonez (Jujitsu).
Clarence Chang (Kung Fu).
Some of the original Kajukenbo founders. (From left to right- Yung Yil Choo, Joseph Holck, Frank Ordonez. Bottom – Adrian Emperado).
Their training sessions, held in secrecy, focused on blending the most effective techniques from their respective arts. Every move was tested in real fights, and anything ineffective was discarded. This trial-by-fire approach ensured that Kajukenbo became a combat-proven system from the start.
The name Kajukenbo reflects its diverse roots:
Ka: Karate (Tang Soo Do, Shotokan).
Ju: Judo and Jujitsu.
Ken: Kenpo (Kosho Ryu Kenpo).
Bo: Chinese Boxing (Kung Fu).
Early training was notoriously brutal. Adriano Emperado famously declared, “The workout isn’t over until I see blood on the floor.” The philosophy was simple—pain and pressure create toughness. Those who endured developed into hardened street fighters, refining Kajukenbo into a lethal and adaptable system.
By 1950, Kajukenbo was formalised, and the first Kajukenbo Self Defence Institute (K.S.D.I.) was established. The art soon spread across Hawaii, then to the mainland U.S., and eventually worldwide.
Philosophy and Principles
Kajukenbo’s motto—“Through this fist way, one gains long life and happiness”—reflects its brutal efficiency and deeper purpose. More than just a fighting system, it forges resilience, adaptability, and self-mastery. It blends practical survival techniques with personal growth, instilling confidence, discipline, and the ability to overcome both physical and mental challenges—on and off the mat.
The Kajukenbo coat of arms reflects its roots, warrior spirit, and adaptability. A central clover symbolises the Old Pine Tree Style of Kenpō-Jūjutsu, a key influence. Variations exist across schools, often featuring weapons, animals, or traditional iconography, reinforcing survival and respect for tradition.
Why Kajukenbo?
Kajukenbo stands out as an exceptional choice for anyone seeking a practical and adaptable martial art. Unlike traditional systems bound by rigid forms or competition rules, Kajukenbo focuses on real-world application, making it highly effective in unpredictable situations.
Kajukenbo is built for real-world survival, blending multiple disciplines into a combat-proven system.
Who is it for?
Everyday individuals who are looking for confidence and safety.
Fitness enthusiasts seeking functional strength and conditioning.
Professionals in high-risk roles like law enforcement or security.
Martial artists wanting to expand their skill set.
Those seeking personal growth through resilience and discipline.
With its emphasis on real-world survival and constant evolution, Kajukenbo is not just a martial art—it’s a way of life.
Techniques and Training
Kajukenbo combines elements from multiple martial arts, making it a highly versatile and effective self-defence system. The core techniques are designed to address a wide range of combat scenarios:
Students of Kajukenbo can expect to learn a variety of skills in class, from the striking of Karate and Kenpo to the throws and joint locks of Judo and Jujitsu, combined with the fluid movement of Kung Fu and practical weapon defences.
Striking: Punches, kicks, knees, and elbows drawn from Karate and Kenpo.
Grappling: Throws, joint locks, and submissions from Judo and Jujitsu.
Fluidity: Circular motion and continuous flow inspired by Kung Fu.
Weapon Defence: Techniques for disarming knives, sticks, and even firearms.
Dirty Fighting: Eye gouges, groin strikes, and other ruthless techniques are included for survival in life-threatening situations.
Training includes sparring, drills, and real-world threat simulations. Practitioners sharpen their reflexes, build awareness, and learn to make split-second decisions.
Street Fighting: The Brutal Reality
Kajukenbo training is intense, focusing on full-contact sparring, real-world self-defence, and conditioning both the body and mind for survival.
Kajukenbo isn’t about point fighting—it’s about survival. Its combat philosophy prioritises:
Decisive counterattacks.
Escape strategies.
Adaptability in real-world confrontations.
Escape Strategies
Kajukenbo emphasises neutralising threats fast and exiting the danger zone. The tragic death of Joe Emperado in a bar fight reinforced the importance of situational awareness and avoiding unnecessary risks.
Adapting to Multiple Attackers
Kajukenbo teaches you to escape when possible—but when you’re outnumbered or ambushed, hesitation is death. Strike first, take control, and end the fight before it begins. Kajukenbo prepares practitioners to stay composed under pressure, react to multiple attackers, and improvise when overwhelmed.
Ground Fighting and Brutality
Kajukenbo’s ground game is as ruthless as its striking. It uses:
Relentless ground-and-pound to overwhelm opponents.
Guard-breaking techniques like the can-opener to stay in control.
Precision strikes to the spine, kidneys, and knees—ending fights fast.
In the streets, there are no rules—only survival.
Influences and Foundations
Kajukenbo’s foundation is a blend of Eastern and Western martial arts, reflecting Hawaii’s multicultural roots:
Tang Soo Do & Shotokan Karate: Long-range kicks and powerful strikes.
Judo & Jujitsu: Throws, submissions, and ground control.
Kenpo: Fast, hard-style strikes and low kicks.
Kung Fu: Circular motion, parries, and fluid techniques.
Boxing & Filipino Escrima: Efficient punches, angular footwork, and weapon handling.
Despite its tough, no-nonsense training, Kajukenbo fosters a strong sense of camaraderie, where experienced students push newcomers to improve. Rooted in Hawaiian culture and Christian influences, some schools incorporate prayers and reflections, reinforcing discipline, respect, and a deeper connection to the art beyond just fighting.
This eclectic mix ensures that Kajukenbo is adaptable to virtually any combat scenario, making it a highly effective self-defence system.
Modern Evolution & Individual Expression
Kajukenbo’s open philosophy allows it to evolve, integrating techniques from Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Krav Maga, and MMA while staying true to its core principle: real-world effectiveness. Schools worldwide emphasise different aspects—some prioritise striking, others grappling or weapons defence—allowing practitioners to develop their own unique expression of the art.
Unlike traditional martial arts, Kajukenbo encourages fighters to adapt, refine, and make the system their own.
Sparring conditions fighters to handle strikes without fear. Builds mental resilience and crisis response skills.
Kajukenbo blends striking, grappling, and weapon defence with no restrictions, constantly evolving to stay effective in unpredictable combat scenarios.
Hard sparring and old-school methods can result in higher injury risk. Maybe too intense for beginners.
Verdict
Yes – Brutal, practical, and adaptable, Kajukenbo excels in pre-emptive striking, street survival, and mental conditioning.
However – Lacks standardization, ground control depth, and de-escalation training. Supplementing with BJJ for ground fighting and verbal de-escalation skills would round out its effectiveness.
Best for those wanting a no-nonsense, street-tested system that prioritizes raw survival over rules.
Kajukenbo Belt Ranks
Student Ranks
White Belt – Beginner level; introduction to fundamentals.
Yellow Belt – Basic techniques and first self-defence applications.
Orange Belt – More refined striking, movement, and basic combinations.
Purple Belt – Introduction to more advanced concepts; focus on flow.
Blue Belt – Greater emphasis on sparring and application under pressure.
Green Belt – Intermediate level; deeper study of Kajukenbo’s principles.
Brown Belt (3rd, 2nd, 1st Degree) – Higher-level self-defence, strategy, and leadership training.
Black Belt (1st Degree – 10th Degree) – Mastery levels, with increasing emphasis on teaching, adaptability, and refinement of personal fighting style.
Black Belt Ranks
1st – 5th Degree – Considered a Sifu (Instructor) rank.
6th – 8th Degree – Recognized as Professor.
9th Degree – Grandmaster rank.
10th Degree – Typically reserved for Founders or Legacy Grandmasters.
Each Kajukenbo organization may have minor variations in rankings, belt colours, or sash systems (some use red and black belts for advanced ranks). However, all branches emphasize practical application, adaptability, and continuous growth at each stage.
Uniform
Kajukenbo practitioners wear black kimono as uniforms. The colours used symbolically by the system are black, red, and white.
Organisations
Kajukenbo has grown into a global martial art, supported by key organisations dedicated to preserving its legacy and guiding its evolution.
Kajukenbo is a martial art forged out of necessity, combining innovation and practicality to thrive in real-world situations. Developed in post-war Hawaii, it fuses techniques from multiple disciplines into a system built for survival, adaptability, and effectiveness.
More than a fighting art, Kajukenbo is a journey of growth. It pushes practitioners to adapt, refine their skills, and build resilience. With its open philosophy and emphasis on real-world application, Kajukenbo isn’t just about self-defence—it’s about forging toughness, adapting under pressure, and thriving in the face of danger.
Kajukenbo isn’t a sport—it’s survival.No hesitation. No wasted movement. Just the ability to react, adapt, and dominate.
In a world where hesitation means defeat,Kajukenbo prepares you for one thing: be ready for anything.
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