KAJUKENBO the first true American art was developed in Honolulu, HI between the years of 1947-1949,what was at the time a territory of the United States of America. Five men came together to help develop a more up to date street lethal style. Most of these men already had cross-trained in other arts like Judo, Jiu-jitsu, Boxing, and Karate which made it easy to come together without any egos getting in the way. They realized that the striking arts of American boxing, Kenpo, and Karate were great while they were standing but when a Judo/Jiu-jitsu man would get a hold of them they did not know what to do if caught in painful holds and chokes both standing and on the ground, while the traditional Judo/Jiu-jitsu guys had a problem with strikers that could punch and kick in quick combinations, moving and keeping them at a distance. In addition, gone were the Katana sword welding warrior, men with spears, and the archer riding horseback and in their place was the street thug who could be carrying a knife, club, gun or even another friend or two. With that, they came together with the intention to modernize a new art. Being so serious as to go on welfare for two years and train almost every day in different abandoned warehouses secretly.
Peter Choo- Who was of Korean decent, was a Welterweight boxing champion, with training in both Karate and Jiu-jitsu. Some of his instructors during this time were Sensei Sam Luke of Judo, Master Thomas Young in Kenpo-Karate, and Prof. Okazaki of Jujitsu. Prof. Choo received the 1937 Joe Lynch Boxing award. He is the representative of both the KA and the BO part of KAJUKENBO. Prof. Choo is also claimed to have been a black belt in Tang So Do.
Tang So Do is the equivalent of Japanese Shotokan Karate. Japan upheld Korea from 1912-1945 abolishing all Korean martial arts. Tang So Do was not invented till 1945. Furthermore, the Japanese let the Koreans train in their martial arts like Karate, Judo, and Juijitsu. After 1945 the Koreans wanted to gain their identity back as Koreans, Judo became Yudo, Aki-Juijitsu became Hapkido and Shotokan Karate became Tang So Do, all with a Korean flavor.
Prof. Choo was raised in Honolulu, Hawaii so it is yet to be seen if he in fact was a Tang So Do black belt at the time of these men collaboration or instead a Black Belt in Okinawan Karate (Okinawan Te) that was prevalent in Hawaii during this time. 1950 is when the Korean War broke out and Prof. Peter Choo was sent to Korea. While there, he stated he learned the Korean arts and later returned to Hawaii in 1957. He traveled the world while in the service and trained in those countries native arts like Tae Kwon do from Prof. J. Rhee and Aikido from Sensei Koichi Tohei, a 10 dan in Aikido. Status- unfortunately, Prof. Choo passed away. He will be missed I had the great opportunity to meet with him and talk story a few times.
Joe Holck- Who is of Japanese decent, had background in Dan zan ryu Kodenkan Jujitsu, under Prof. Okazaki and Kodokan Judo under Sensei Inouye a collegiate champion back in 1946, Sensei Sakabe the #3 Judo man in Japan at the time. Also, Holck was fortunate to train under the great Kosen Judo master and #1 Judo man in Japan Sensei Kimura. Kimura is the Judo master that went to Brazil on a challenge match from Helio Gracie (Gracie Jiu-jitsu) and won by Helio's side throwing in the towel, but not till after Kimura broke his arm (the technique was later named the Kimura). The Kosen style is where Brazilian Jiu-jitsu comes from with emphasis on Newaza or ground grappling. Joe Holck was the main influence in the JU part of Kajukenbo. Holck emphasized throws, holds, joint locks, spine locks, and chokes while both standing and on the ground. He was also the one to name the art KAJUKENBO. Prof. Holck joined the service and was transferred to Korea during the Korean War in 1950. Status- Prof. Holck lives in Arizona and still active in the Judo/Jiu-jitsu circle. His son Vincent Holck teaches their brand of Judo/Juijitsu and Kajukenbo with Choo/Holck's method of influence.
Adriano Emperado- Who is of Filipino decent, was the driving force behind the group. He had a background at the time of Judo, Boxing, Escrima stick fighting, and Kenpo Karate from his instructor Prof. William Chow (Kara ho Kenpo). Sijo represented the KEN part of KAJUKENBO. He was already feared as a fierce street fighter and loved the hard contact. In 1950 he received his 5th degree black belt from Prof. Chow and Prof. James Mitose(Kosh-Ryu Kenpo). Sijo felt there was something missing in his training with Prof. Mitose. Mitose taught a lot of Makiwara board training for that one punch kill mentality. Prof. Chow took what he learned from Mitose, made it faster and added the takedowns from his Judo training and put in his ground fighting. Sijo thought, if the attacker does not go down after one punch, then what. He knew that people in the west fought differently then they do in Japan. Boxing was what you were going to see more often on the street with combinations not just one punch attack/ block/ and counter punch. Sijo looked to add were his art fell short. Not to mention putting in more realistic weaponry attack and defenses from the Filipino martial arts that he learned from his stepfather Alexander Peralta, who was trained in a combination of Ilocano, Visayan, and Tagalog martial arts. Mr. Peralta was a famous Civic Auditorium fighter that had won many Escrima fighting matches in Hawaii. This was back when there was no safety gear and real sticks which sometimes resulted in permanent disfigurement or Death. Status-Lives in CA and head of the KAJUKENBO SELF DEFENSE INSTITUTE INC. Founder of Kajukenbo.
Frank Ordenez- of Filipino decent. Between the periods of 1947-1949 was a close friend of the group and was the photographer. He had training in the Dan zan ryu Kodenkan Jujitsu from Prof. Okazaki and Judo from Sensei Sam Luke. He Kept with Sijo after Prof. Choo, and Prof. Holck left to the Korean War in 1950 helping Sijo teach and add to Kajukenbo. Status-lives in Honolulu, HI and active advisor of the KAJUKENBO SELF DEFENSE INSTITUTE.
George Clarance Chang- of Chinese decent between the periods of 1947-1949 was the writer of techniques of KAJUKENBO. His background is believed to be in Si-lum pai Kung fu. He was a close friend of Prof. Ordenez and also left to the Korean War in 1950. Status- Deceased.