MMA Critical Thinking

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.

Freestyle Martial Arts Club (1994)

Passionate about community involvement, I started a sports martial arts club in San Jose, California, in the early nineties. The club aimed to foster inclusivity and empowerment, witnessing a positive community impact as it grew.

I inspired children to think independently and uncover their unique talents. Emphasizing Kajukenbo's principles, I encouraged understanding the purpose behind each movement, promoting critical thinking and individuality. This led to naming our group "FreeStyle."

To keep my kids safe from street dangers, I created the program as an after-school activity. This initiative provided a safe, nurturing environment for children to learn, grow, and explore their potential.

Finding Your Martial Arts Animal

Kajukenbo, created in Hawaii in the late 1940s, emphasizes adaptability and individualization. Unlike traditional martial arts, it encourages critical thinking and tailoring techniques to each practitioner's strengths and weaknesses. Practitioners are urged to find their "martial arts animal"—the style that suits their physical and mental attributes best.

As a Kajukenbo instructor, I offer students a fusion of styles, encouraging them to explore methods that suit them. Inspired by Kajukenbo's teachings, students embark on self-discovery journeys, identifying strengths and weaknesses to find their martial arts animal. I believe in mixing styles and finding what works for students to expand their critical thinking. Whether you identify with a fierce tiger's strength or a monkey's quickness and nimbleness, we learn to uncover your strengths and weaknesses through practice. This personalized approach develops comprehensive skills for various combat scenarios. It's all about crafting your own style for handling any combat curveball life throws your way. 

An Open-Ended System

Kajukenbo's genius lies in its commitment to individualized training and critical thinking. Unlike other systems, it is open-ended, allowing practitioners to continuously adapt techniques to their needs and goals. This flexibility encourages discovering strengths, working on weaknesses, and adjusting to unique capabilities.

Kajukenbo's adaptability and continuous evolution ensure its relevance and power across generations. By blending diverse martial arts styles, it promotes a personalized approach, enhancing effectiveness and maintaining its status as a dynamic, ever-evolving art form. Aloha and Ohana guide this practice, embracing diversity and unity.

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

Visaya, T. (2024). Hawai'i Martial Arts: The Genius of Kajukenbo. Retrieved from https://tvisaya.com/kajukenbo