Kara-Ho Kempo Karate Tempel-Logo (c) Kwai Sun Co.

Chinese Kara-Ho Kempo Karate has been developed with effective street self defense in mind. Spirit, mind, soul and body must therefore be in one sphere.

Kara-Ho Kempo Karate has its roots in the Shaolin Chuan Fa as well as in Indian yoga - and this is the difference to other martial arts. Not only is Kara-Ho Kempo physical exercise, but it is a way of life: the unity of all human aspects displayed by superior martial arts and behavior. A student of Kara-Ho Kempo not only trains himself in body and spirit; he also trains his mind and soul, which in the end helps him to understand his very life. Humility, tranquility and harmony are the firsts in any kind of conflict, be it with an opponent or another problem.

Professor William "Thunderbolt" Kwai Sun Chow, the founder of the Chinese Kara-Ho Kempo system, adjusted traditional fighting elements of the family style Chuan Fa he had learned by his father to a dangerous environment: the lawless streets of Hawaii in the beginning of the 20th century. This brutal setting forced Professor Chow to defend himself with everything he could. What helped him survive an encounter, he made even better, corrected flaws, where he saw them and in this way developed his own style. Kara-Ho Kempo has not been designed "on the mat" - it has its roots on the street. Grandmaster Sam Kuoha brought his own background into the style in the seventies; he had made experiences with Aikido, Combat Tai Shi, Shotokan Karate, Tae Kwon Do and many other styles. Thus, both men expanded the style by various different elements from other systems as well. Punches, kicks, throws and locks were made even more effective through the use of Ki. The training of internal energy such as Ki is still the main focus of any Kara-Ho student today.

Kara-Ho Kempo Karate not only helps the student to understand self defense; the responsible and morally correct behavior of any student is being watched. If the student shows bad attitude, he will be banned from the system permanently.