Our mission is to preserve and advance the system of Ed Parker’s Kenpo as taught by Ed Parker and documented in his books and training manuals. There may be endless debate over what Kenpo is and what Kenpo is not. There may be endless debate on which way is the best, or proper way to do a set, form, or technique, but what can't be debated is that Mr. Parker left us a five volume book series titled Infinite Insights into Kenpo. Combine these books with his Encyclopedia of Kenpo and his extensive array of training manuals and you have the system Kenpo right in front of you. Mr. Parker may not be here to guide us through the system personally, but no martial system in the world is more documented than the one left to us by Ed Parker.
Aside from our mission we also have a goal. Our goal is to foster friendship within our Kenpo family. The word “Ohana” itself is the Hawaiian word for “Family”. Over the years our Kenpo family has slowly fragmented into smaller and smaller groups scattered all over the world. When Mr. Parker was with us, we had one association and one major tournament. Today we have dozens of associations and tournaments scattered all over the world.
Our goal is to be a unifying influence to everyone in the Kenpo family. This isn't to say we want everyone to join our association. We don't. What we want is for everyone to freely associate with everyone else – regardless of who their teacher is or what association they belong to.
The association president is Rich Hale. Mr. Hale has been actively involved in the Ed Parker System of Kenpo Karate since 1972, having begun his training at Ed Parker's Kenpo Karate Studio in Colton, California. He has since attained the rank of 7th degree black belt and remains loyal, not only, to the Ed Parker System of Kenpo, but to the integrity of the system as well.
Mr. Hale is dedicated to preserving and advancing the Ed Parker System of Kenpo, but he's just as dedicated to the preserving and advancing the freedom everyone in the art of Kenpo should enjoy.
The art of Kenpo has become more than just a sport, or even a means of self-defense - it's become a way of life for many of us who have been captivated by it. From its simplicity to its sophistication, Kenpo is a lifelong endeavor that takes a lot of hard work and more patience than most people can imagine.
The Ohana Kenpo Karate Association was formed for several reasons, the least of which is making a lot of money. It should come as no surprise that the best way to make your association profitable is to put your name on promotion certificates as quickly as your customers can put your name on their checks. If you want to get promoted don't join our association, or any association, just go to the Internet. You can get an original looking International Kenpo Karate Association certificate with any rank you’re willing to pay for, complete with the signature of Senior Master of the Art, Edmund K. Parker
Our association will not sell rank, but we're very proud of those who are willing to earn it.
Ohana Kenpo will certainly assist those who would like to earn their next rank. But our first priority is to simply assist those who would like to learn Kenpo. You’re welcome to earn your rank from us, or from anyone you choose. It's not about collecting students and putting them under our banner; it's about teaching the art of Kenpo.
Honor:
Integrity:
Friendship:
Respect:
Is for those who have trained before us. They're our seniors and we honor their time and effort which has formed the art we study.
Is about ourselves, the belts we wear and the art we teach. Only our own personal integrity will determine what we do in the art.
Speaks for itself, but it seldom speaks loudly enough. Maintaining friendships throughout adversity is a sign of true character.
Can't be purchased or taken by force, but men and women of honor and integrity come upon it naturally and effortlessly.
The Crest:
Our Crest has four words around the bottom of the circle; they're Honor, Integrity, Friendship and Respect.
There was a time when being a black belt in the art of Kenpo really meant something. It came with the respect and admiration of our peers, because everyone knew you had earned it. Master of the Art, Frank Trejo wears a patch that is void of bright colors as he says the color left the patch when Mr. Parker passed away. He says it's our job to put the color back in. I couldn't agree with him more.
