Kajukenbo: The First Mixed Martial Arts System

In the late 1940s, the tough neighborhood of Palama Settlement in Honolulu, Hawai'i, witnessed the birth of Kajukenbo—the world's first mixed martial arts (MMA) system. Led by Adriano Emperado, the founding group included Peter Choo, Frank Ordonez, Joe Holck, and Clarence Chang. Each brought expertise from different disciplines, seeking to combine their strengths into a practical, no-nonsense system.

The Need for a New System

Traditional martial arts were rigid and limited, focused on specific techniques. Real-world self-defense requires versatility. Recognizing this, the founders of Kajukenbo sought a holistic approach adaptable to various threats and situations.

The Critical Thinking Process

The creation of Kajukenbo was methodical and analytical:

• Analysis of  Existing Systems:  Each founder contributed from their martial arts:
  • Karate Tang Soo Do (Peter Choo):   Powerful strikes.
  • Judo (Joe Holck):   Effective throws and grappling.
  • Kenpo (Adriano Emperado):  Practical, rapid self-defense.
  • Kung Fu (Clarence Chang): Fluidity and internal power.
  • Western Boxing (Frank Ordonez):  Agile footwork and striking precision.
• Identifying Strengths and Weaknesses: They identified how each style's strengths could offset others' weaknesses. For example, Judo's grappling complemented Karate's powerful but less adaptable strikes.
• Integration and Testing: Techniques were integrated and rigorously tested in real-life scenarios, with feedback leading to continuous refinement. The dangerous streets of Honolulu served as their testing ground.

The Result: A Truly Mixed Martial Arts System

The result was Kajukenbo, a seamless blend of five disciplines. It stood out as the first true mixed martial arts system, embodying adaptability, practicality, and comprehensiveness. Kajukenbo equipped practitioners with diverse tools for various combat situations, making it highly effective for self-defense.

Kajukenbo's innovative approach broke traditional constraints, proving that combining multiple disciplines created a superior, versatile fighting system. This concept paved the way for modern mixed martial arts, influencing practitioners and schools worldwide.

Abstract

Kajukenbo, a martial arts system originating in Hawai'i, exemplifies the power of critical thinking in its approach to combat. Integrating techniques from multiple martial arts disciplines, Kajukenbo fosters adaptability, analysis, and individualization in training. This essay explores how the genius of Kajukenbo lies in its critical thinking approach, making it an effective and continually evolving martial arts system.

Introduction

Kajukenbo, developed in the late 1940s in the challenging environment of Palama Settlement in Honolulu, was a revolutionary response to the practical limitations of existing martial arts. The founders—masters of different martial arts—created a system that was not only comprehensive but also adaptable to real-world scenarios. This adaptability stems from the system’s emphasis on critical thinking, a concept integral to its creation and ongoing evolution.

Critical Thinking in the Development of Kajukenbo

The founders of Kajukenbo employed critical thinking by systematically analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of their respective martial arts. This analytical process was not merely about combining techniques but understanding the principles that made each discipline effective. Critical thinking in this context involves the ability to evaluate different combat scenarios and adapt techniques accordingly, a process that aligns with the broader definitions of critical thinking found in educational theory (Lin, Hmelo-Silver, & Lan, 2019). This integration and adaptability underscore the genius of Kajukenbo as a practical martial art designed to address real-life challenges.

Adaptability and Continuous Refinement

Kajukenbo’s genius is further exemplified by its adaptability. Unlike traditional martial arts that adhere strictly to established forms, Kajukenbo encourages continuous refinement and personal adaptation. This approach aligns with modern educational principles that emphasize the need for flexibility and problem-solving skills in a rapidly changing world (Rivas et al., 2023). Practitioners of Kajukenbo are taught to question and adapt techniques, ensuring that the system remains effective and relevant.

Individualization in Kajukenbo Training

Another critical aspect of Kajukenbo’s genius is its focus on individualization. Practitioners are encouraged to develop their own "martial arts animal"—a style that suits their unique physical and psychological traits. This process requires self-assessment, experimentation, and continuous adaptation, all of which are core elements of critical thinking (Coursera, 2023). By fostering these skills, Kajukenbo not only prepares its practitioners for combat but also equips them with the cognitive tools needed to navigate complex, real-world situations.

Conclusion

The genius of Kajukenbo lies in its foundational commitment to critical thinking. From its inception to its practice, Kajukenbo exemplifies a martial arts system that is as intellectually rigorous as it is physically demanding. By promoting analysis, adaptability, and individualization, Kajukenbo ensures that its practitioners are not only skilled fighters but also critical thinkers capable of thriving in any situation.

References

Coursera. (2023). What Are Critical Thinking Skills and Why Are They Important?. Retrieved from Coursera.

Lin, X., Hmelo-Silver, C. E., & Lan, Y.-J. (2019). Using Inquiry-Based Learning to Enhance Students’ Critical Thinking Skills in Science. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 49(5), 566-589.

Rivas, S. F., & Saiz, C. (2023). The Role of Critical Thinking in Predicting and Improving Academic Performance. Sustainability, 15(2), 1527. doi:10.3390/su15021527

(The Spirit of Inner Power)

In martial arts, "Ki" is the internal energy that practitioners harness and focus to achieve remarkable feats. It’s an invisible force cultivated through discipline, mindfulness, and practice. One of the most famous demonstrations of this is Bruce Lee’s legendary one-inch punch — a stunning reminder of what focused energy and precise technique can achieve.

(Mastery Beyond Muscle)

Bruce Lee’s one-inch punch is a prime example of spiritual intelligence at work. It’s not about brute strength alone; it’s about mastering inner energy and channeling it with clarity and precision.
Here’s how this connects to deeper spiritual principles:

1. The Mind as Blade: Sharpening Perception in Combat
Focus and mindfulness are essential. The one-inch punch demands a mind stripped of distraction — pure awareness directed into action.

2. Fluid over Form: When Principles Must Override Habit
It’s not the traditional stance or the textbook form that matters. It’s the principle of maximizing internal force through minimal motion.

3. Balance and Harmony: The Unity of Mind, Body, and Spirit
The energy flows only when the mind, body, and spirit move as one — an alignment cultivated over years of internal work.

4. Personal Growth and Mastery: The Endless Ascent
Mastery is not given; it is earned through relentless refinement and self-honesty — the warrior’s true journey.

(Freedom Through Understanding)

My Teaching Style: Freestyle Martial Arts Club (1994)

In the early nineties, passionate about building community and empowering youth, I founded a sports martial arts club in San Jose, California. Our club was named "Freestyle" — reflecting the spirit of independent thought, adaptability, and individual expression.
I taught my students, especially children, to think critically, question the "why" behind every move, and uncover their unique talents. Inspired by Kajukenbo’s living philosophy, we didn't memorize forms; we discovered meaning.

It was more than self-defense — it was a way to awaken the mind.

(Awakening the Inner Nature)

Kajukenbo, created in Hawai‘i in the late 1940s, stands apart by honoring the individual. Instead of forcing everyone into the same mold, it urges practitioners to find their "martial arts animal" — the movement and energy that fits their body, their mind, their spirit.

As an instructor, I guide students to explore different styles, not to fit a tradition, but to discover themselves. Whether you move with the fierce strength of a tiger or the nimble cunning of a monkey, the key is uncovering your natural weapon and refining it into mastery.

(Critical Thinking as Survival)

Every practitioner is trained to see beyond forms and techniques — to sense timing, energy, and intent. True critical thinking in martial arts isn't just about fighting; it’s about staying awake, seeing reality before others do, and moving decisively.

(Freedom Forged in Adaptability)

Kajukenbo’s brilliance lies in its refusal to be static. It is an open-ended system — a living, breathing art that demands you think, adapt, and evolve. There are no cages here. Only the ever-widening horizon of your own capacity.

One of my fondest pictures: 

I'm on the left with the white shirt, Sifu Rudy Ladua. Grand Master Max Togisala, 

Sitting: Grand Master Joseph Halbuna, and the founder of Kajukenbo, Sijo Adriano Emperado.
(1994 Milpitas Community Center, San Francisco Bay Area, California)

(Carrying the Flame Forward)

Kajukenbo survives because it teaches not just techniques, but a mindset: resilience, adaptability, clarity. It survives because it dares every practitioner to question, to evolve, and to remain awake in a world that constantly tries to lull them into sleep.
Guided by Aloha and Ohana, its spirit is one of unity without conformity — strength through diversity — and freedom through mindful mastery.

You were not born to imitate — you were born to forge.
Strike with thought.
Move with purpose.
Adapt without hesitation.
In every breath, refine yourself.
In every battle, know yourself.
In every failure, rebuild yourself.
Kajukenbo is not a style — it is the living will to survive, to overcome, and to evolve.
The true warrior carries no tradition blindly — only the fire of critical thought, burning ever forward.