Sigung Don Togisala
I started training KAJUKENBO SELF DEFENSE at the ripe age of seven in 1977 as my father being my teacher. I am thirty-eight years old now. I trained four nights a week as a kid. When I got a little older, I played sports; football, basketball and baseball, etc. during the day and then karate at night. I earned my brown belt at the early age of fourteen. It was a bi-law that no one under the age of eighteen could test for their black belt. My father was hard on me, I had to train and wait until I turned eighteen just to be eligible for test. I didn't turn of age until the fall of 1986. It wasn't until 1988 I tested and received my 1st degree bb. In 1991 I tested and received my 2nd degree bb. In 1993 I tested and received my 3rd degree bb. In 1997 I tested and received my 4th degree bb. In 2000 I tested and received my 5th degreed bb. And in 2004 I tested and received my 6th. degree bb.
I am third generation KAJUKENBO SELF DEFENSE INSTITUTE of SAN JOSE under the direct linage of the creator Adriano D. Emperado to GGM Joseph H. Halbuna to GM Avefua Max Togisala which dates back to 1946 in Palamos settlement in Oahu, Hawaii.
In the late eighties through the nineties, I competed nationally and through Canada in Kata and Kumite. I was the National Super Heavy Weight Champion in 1991 in Kumite and I was on a three man team kumite that was the 1991 National Champions.
I am the Heir to my father's organization of KAJUKENBO SELF DEFENSE INSTITUTE OF SAN JOSE and will be carrying on the traditions and the lineage that was passed down to me to the generations to come.
The physical meaning of KAJUKENBO: KA- tang so doo; JU-judo/jujitsu; KEN-kenpo; BO-chinese boxing. The philosophical meaning of KAJUKENBO: KA-long life; JU-happiness; KEN-fist; BO-style. Our motto: "TRAIN STRONG TO REMAIN STRONG." "BE HUMBLE."