Kajukenbo

A no-nonsense exploration of Hawaii’s most effective street combat system, tracing its origins from the violent neighborhoods of post-war Honolulu to its global influence today. This book examines how five martial artists created Kajukenbo by blending techniques from karate, judo, kenpo, and boxing into a ruthless self-defense method designed for real-world survival. Through firsthand accounts and historical analysis, it reveals the art’s core philosophy: adapt or perish. The narrative follows Kajukenbo’s evolution from back-alley training sessions to military/police applications, while maintaining its original street-tough mentality. Practical chapters break down the founders’ mindset, the Hawaiian cultural influences, and why this hybrid system remains relevant in modern self-defense training. More than just techniques, this is the story of how ordinary people developed extraordinary fighting skills out of necessity – and how those same principles continue helping people protect themselves today.