Rich Hale's Pacific Kenpo Karate

I began my Kenpo training at Ed Parker's Colton, California studio in 1972 under the instruction of Richard T. Callahan. Since that time I have attained my 1st Degree Black Belt through 4th Degree Black Belt from Mr. Callahan and recognizes him as my primary instructor.

I credit my life-long devotion to Kenpo as a direct result of my 38 year friendship with Mr. Callahan. No other person has had such a profound effect on my life in the martial arts.

I also give a great amount of credit to Roger Thomas, who was both a close friend and training partner, during our early years. Roger was also my partner in the Alaska Martial Arts Center, in Anchorage, Alaska. That was our first (independent), venture into teaching Ed Parker's Kenpo.

In time Roger and I were joined in Alaska by AC Rainey, Dale Eberwein and Jim Gradey. These three men were instrumental in our progression as martial artists. Another close friend and training partner, Tony Martin, came to Alaska and stayed for six months, living in the studio. Tony's energy and dedication to the art of Kenpo is beyond equal.

Like it was yesterday, I remember the day AC Rainey walked into the Alaska Martial Arts Center, introduced himself and told us he was a Kenpo black belt and was looking for a place to train. Now keep in mind, Roger and I were at the time still brown belts, and although we had been trained well by Mr. Callahan, we were still in need of some leadership and lots of instruction. So, after our introduction and brief conversation, when AC asked who the head instructor was at our school - I looked at him, smiled and said "Your are."

Eventually I received a 1st Degree Black Belt in Kenpo from AC and credit him with a major portion of my passion for Kenpo and my ability as a fighter. Anyone who knows AC can tell you why. It was during my training with Mr. Rainey that really started to understand the Kenpo saying "To feel is to believe".

Not only is AC a great martial artist, instructor and friend, he is family to me and many other martial artists who have been fortunate enough to have had an opportunity to train with him during his extensive career as an instructor in Kenpo.

To have shared the mat with AC Rainey is to have experienced Kenpo at its highest level.

I am also a first generation black belt under Kenpo Master Larry Tatum, who was a great instructor and inspiration to me throughout the 1980's, as he is to this day. Larry opened his doors to me when I needed it the most, never asking for any payment, other than hard work and devotion to the art. For this, I will never be able to thank him enough.

Gifted with the intelligence, ability and desire to become an internationally known and respected instructor, Larry became known to the world as "The Teacher of Black Belts." This brought students and visitors from around the world to spend time on his mat - All of us aiding one another in our own quest for Kenpo skill and knowledge.

During this same time I was fortunate enough to have also been a personal student of Mr. Parker, taking private lessons at his home in Pasadena, which is why Mr. Parker chose to sign (as instructor) on my 1st Degree Black Belt and 2nd Degree Black Belt certificates. My time with Mr. Parker is irreplaceable in terms of my learning and understanding the art of Kenpo.

I would also like to acknowledge Senior Masters of the Art Huk Planas and Frank Trejo. Although my opportunities to train with these two great instructors was more limited than I would have liked it to have been, they both had a tremendous influence on my Kenpo training.

It was Huk's patience and constant answering a question with a question that kept me "thinking" about Kenpo.

And it was Frank's warrior sprit and incredible ability as a fighter that inspired me to "earn" my place on his mat.

In September of 2007, Frank Trejo and Mohamad Tabatabai awarded me my 5th degree black belt. I find it difficult to put into words how I feel about being awarded this rank from two such distinguished instructors.

On April 17, 2010 I was awarded my 7th Degree Black Belt from Master of the Art, Tony Martinez Sr. Mr. Martinez has been actively and consistently teaching the Ed Parker System of Kenpo for more than fifty years, having received his black belt from Mr. Parker in 1965. Surprisingly Mr. Martinez promoted me from 5th Black directly to 7th Black. In doing so he gave me his personal belt which he had worn as a 5th through 7th.