In the bustling Palama Settlement of 1940s Oahu, a group of young black belts from diverse martial arts backgrounds came together with a singular purpose – to create a fighting system that could withstand the harsh realities of street violence. This collaborative effort gave birth to Kajukenbo, a hybrid martial art that would go on to leave an indelible mark on the world of combat sports.

The name “Kajukenbo” is a blended word that reflects this diverse heritage, combining the first two letters of each of the contributing martial arts: KA for Karate, JU for Judo and Jujitsu, KEN for Kenpo, and BO for Chinese Boxing. This eclectic blend of techniques and philosophies was intentionally designed to create a practical, street-effective system that could help people defend themselves.

In the words of Sijo Adriano Emperado, the philosophical meaning of Kajukenbo is “Through this fist style, one gains long life and happiness.”  This sentiment encapsulates the art’s unwavering dedication to empowering individuals to protect themselves, while also fostering a sense of personal growth and fulfillment.