Kara-Ho Kempo

Kara-Ho Kempo
FocusVital Point striking
HardnessUnknown
Country of originHawaii Territory of Hawaii
CreatorWilliam Kwai Sun Chow
Famous practitionersRon Alo, Sam Alama Kuoha, Ka'imi Kuoha, Bart Vale
ParenthoodKosho Shorei-ryu Kempo
Descendant artsKajukenbo, American Kenpo, Hawaiian Kempo[1]

Kara-Ho Kempo (the unity of spirit, mind, soul and body, fist law) is a martial art created in the 1930s[2] by the late William Kwai Sun Chow of Hawaii (July 3, 1914 - September 21, 1987). The system can best be described as a series of rapid strikes (punches and kicks) to the vital areas of an opponent. The system calls for an equal use of both the hands and feet and, also, teaches self-defense techniques against weapons and multiple attackers.[3]

Part of the Kara-Ho Kempo curriculum consists of empty hand and weapons kata, featuring weapons originating in Ryukyu (modern day Okinawa, Japan), China, and the Philippines with 18 weapons total and 3 kata for each weapon.

  1. ^ "Hawaiian Kempo History|The Pit Malibu Martial Arts".
  2. ^ Chinese Kara-Ho Kempo Volume One p. 3
  3. ^ "Black Belt". Active Interest Media, Inc. 17 January 1989. p. 57. Retrieved 17 February 2022 – via Google Books.