Choki Motobu
(1871-1944) Motobu was an eccentric Okinawan Karate master. He is responsible for secretly translating the Ch'uan Fa elements of Okinawan Shorin-Ryu ("Shaolin Way") into the current basic structure now known as Shorei-Ryu Karate. Choki Motobu is associated with the rise of Kempo in Hawaii because of a publicized visit in 1933 as well as a mysterious link with James Mitose and the development of modern Kosho-Ryu Kempo [Corcoran, 1984].

Dr. James Mitose
(1915-1981) Mitose is a great grand master of Hawaiian/U.S. Kempo, and we can trace part of our lineage to him. At the age of 5, Mitose was sent to Japan to study the Mitose family tradition of Ch'uan Fa (or "Kempo" in Japanese) at the Mt. Akenkai Kosho-Shorei temple. As stated previously, the Ch'uan Fa tradition had already been modified by successive Mitose masters until it became known as Kosho-Shorei Kempo (Old Pine Tree Style). After fifteen years of training in his family's temple in Japan, Mitose returned to Hawaii. Following World War II, he opened the Official Self-Defense Club to begin teaching his family's wartime art of Kosho-Ryu Kempo to the general public. During the next fifteen years of teaching, Grand Master Mitose awarded black belts to only six of his students: Giro Nakamura, Thomas Young, Paul Yamaguchi, Arthur Keawe, Edward Lowe and William K.S. Chow [Corcoran, 1984].

William K.S. Chow
(1914-1987) Before studying under Grand Master Mitose, Master Chow had studied Boxing, Wrestling, Jujitsu and Karate. However, his main course of martial arts training was Chinese Shaolin Ch'uan Fa under the guidance of his father (Hoon Chow). Hoon Chow was a Buddhist Priest from Shanghai, China. Just prior to the Chinese Boxer Rebellion, Hoon Chow immigrated to Hawaii for a safer and more prosperous lifestyle. While living in Hawaii, Hoon Chow continued to practice the Shaolin Ch'uan Fa of Southeastern China (Kwangtung and Fukien). This is the style he taught his son, William K.S. Chow. Master William Chow incorporated many of the things his father had taught him into what he would be the first to call "Kenpo" (Fist Law) Karate. William K.S. Chow, a short man (approx. 5'1"), was raised in an Hawaiian culture where size, strength, and streetfighting ability were highly regarded. In order to survive on an island of giants, Master Chow began to alter Shaolin Ch'uan Fa to make it faster, more powerful, and oriented around streetfighting situations. Master Chow began the transformation by shortening the circular motions and flowing movements of Shaolin Ch'uan Fa. He continued by incorporating the linear movements, joint locks and take-downs learned in boxing, karate and jujitsu. Finally, he placed a major emphasis on the availability and targeting of vital parts of the human anatomy [Master Sam Kuoho, Interview]. William K.S. Chow's Hawaiian Kenpo system (Kara-Ho Kenpo) was unusual for the time because it incorporated other martial arts techniques; Mitose had never associated his Kosho-Ryu Kempo with any other system. One of the most famous students under Chow's tutelage was Ed Parker.

Ed Parker
(1931-1990) Ed Parker, a native of Hawaii and student of Master Chow, revised the traditional methods of coping with modern fighting situations and brought the art to mainland U.S.A. Master Parker developed the modern Kenpo style by analyzing combative predicaments from the viewpoints of the attacker, the defender, and the bystander or spectator. Through his observations, Master Parker disproved many theories and concepts that had previously been considered as combat effective. Ed Parker systematized and categorized all the basic Kenpo elements into a logical order of progress for step-by-step instruction. Master Parker placed the Kenpo basics into eight categories: stances, blocks, parries, punches, strikes, finger techniques, kicks, and foot maneuvers. Master Parker also divided the Kenpo system into three major divisions: basics (including forms), self-defense techniques, and sparring (tournament and street). This innovative restructuring made the martial arts much easier to learn, understand, and master [Corcoran, 1984]. A recognized first generation student of Master Parker was Thomas Connor. Ed Parker and Thomas Connor were the founders of the Chinese Martial Arts Association.

Thomas Connor
(1929-1989) Master Connor began martial arts training at the age of 7 years in the local Wing Chun and Hung Gar schools located in Newark, NJ and New York City. He studied continually until the age of 15 years at which time he enlisted in the U.S. Army by falsifying his age to fight in World War II. At the end of the war he returned to the United States to study linguistics. During this educational period, he honed his fighting skills and proceeded to win a series of Golden Gloves awards. Being a World War II veteran, a linguistics expert and having extensive knowledge of the fighting arts, Master Connor was the ideal candidate for intelligence work. From approximately 1950 to 1959, Master Connor worked for the U.S. Government as an operative in Central America and Mexico. As an agent for the U.S., Master Connor was able to broaden his martial arts training to include Jujitsu. In 1960, an exhausted Thomas Connor moved to Mexico with his young family to retire.

With time to meditate on life, Master Connor decided to return to the United States to begin teaching the martial arts. By 1965, Master Connor was running a very successful self-defense school and dance studio in San Jose, California. That same year, Master Connor formed a partnership (COPAR Kenpo) with Ed Parker and the two proceeded to open a series of Kenpo schools in San Jose, San Francisco, and Phoenix, Arizona. Within a short period of time, Master Connor's extensive knowledge and skill earned him the title of master in Ed Parker's original Kenpo system. It was during his time in California that Master Connor continued his involvement and training in Chinese Wushu or "Martial Arts". Master Connor frequently visited Chinatown in San Francisco to meet and train with other Wushu practitioners. It was in Chinatown that master Connor learned how to use the two-headed chain and many other Chinese weapons. By the early 1970's, the partnership between Master Connor and Master Parker had expanded to include the Tracy Brothers (TRACOPAR Kenpo).

Master Connor's interests has also expanded to include bodybuilding (Master Connor won numerous bodybuilding including the Master's Division Mr. America). However, by the late 1970's the partnership has dissolved and Master Connor remained as owner of a great many Kenpo Schools (TRACO International) [Tom Connor II, Interview]. Tom Connor's mastery of Chinese Martial Arts, boxing, Jujitsu, and professional bodybuilding were incorporated into what was to become a very strong, yet highly artful form of American Kenpo. This unique system would later be named "American Kenpo Karate Association" by Bill Packer, one of Master Connor's original students.

Bill Packer (1946-2005) William (Bill) Packer was born on January 18, 1946 in Columbus, Ohio. Three months later his family moved to Tucson, Arizona, where, later in life and after many moves he would begin studying Kenpo Karate. His father was a career military man and was transferred to Fairchild AFB in Spokane, Washington in 1953. Later, after a short stop in Ohio, the military sent the family to Puerto Rico. It was here that Mr. Packer was first introduced to Boxing and Judo. Bill also majored in baseball, basketball, and swimming while on the island. Another military transfer moved the family to Springfield, Massachusetts where Mr. Packer resumed boxing around his first passion - baseball. The Vietnam War stalled extended efforts in baseball as Mr. Packer entered the military. Before and during the military, Mr. Packer had confined and limited experience in Okinawa-Te, Wing Chun, Tai Chi, and Tae Kwon Do. Boxing, however, was his most extensive prior training. After completing the military tour, Mr. Packer moved back to Tucson, Arizona and began training with Jay Huff, Sr., at TRACO International Schools for self-defense. Motivated and dedicated, Mr. Packer moved toward career training and became manager of the TRACO So. 6th Street school in Tucson. After a short stop at the Tucson Headquarters School, working directly under Mr. Huff, Mr. Packer was transferred to Globe, Arizona to open and manage that location and start direct training with Mr. Connor. Quick success moved Mr. Packer to greater opportunity in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Another success promoted him to Regional Director in the TRACO Organization. After opening another school in Flagstaff, Arizona, TRACO transferred Bill to Glendale, Arizona. The Glendale School became his home office as Regional Director for TRACO. As Southwest Regional Director, he interacted with a great number of schools, including managers, instructors and students. This gave him invaluable experience and insight as both a teacher of Karate and of the business at every level.

American Kenpo Karate Academies

After establishing the American Kenpo Karate Academies (AKKA), Mr. Packer resolved to broaden the scope of his system. Early on, Mr. Packer was well aware of a variety of principles common to all Martial Arts (mind set, pressing, pushing, skill enhancement techniques, physical training, etc). Although the physical level seemed superior, he felt inadequate in that part beyond the physical. Mr. Packer started by researching the history, philosophy, and meaning of the animals, elements and colors associated with Kenpo. He incorporated the various beliefs, according to belt, into the system. To insure the incorporation of traditional Chinese and Japanese ideas, Mr. Packer had a notable professor of Chinese Philosophy teach Martial Arts Philosophy classes to his instructors and student body. Most of AKKA's findings and developments can be found in the current AKKA manual.

Concurrently, with the advancement of the system was the outburst of AKKA Kickboxing. After viewing the first World Karate Association (WKA) Championships, Mr. Packer knew, at that time and with prior boxing experience, the missing link was conditioning. In 1974, with these thoughts in mind, he moved forward to build AKKA Bad Company Fighting Team. Together they accomplished the following: 136 World Rated Fighters 20 World Titles 9 North American Titles 10 U.S. Titles Premier Inductee of International Instructors Hall of Fame 1982 International Kickboxing Trainer of the Year

In 1978, Bill Packer and Master Thomas Connor agreed the system could be even more balanced by integrating more Wushu elements of circularity and continual motion, movement chains, theory, concept, principle, iron palm, and seizing and striking the vital areas of the body. This constituted the following new and advanced forms annexed into the system: Tiger Hunt, Monkey, Leopard, Advanced Staff, Whispering Winds, and Enter the Temple. Forms not listed are appended in the same frame.

Since the death of Tom Connor, the AKKA schools have strengthened and grown by taking the gift (package) and passing it on in the spirit given to them. Bill Packer was the soul remaining authority of the unique AKKA style of Kenpo Karate. As President of AKKA Karate USA, Mr. Packer continued to research, develop and improve his system.

GrandMaster Bill Packer passed away on the morning of Aug. 19, 2005 in Albuquerque, New Mexico among friends and family, and was posthumously promoted to the rank of 10th Degree Black Belt. With the new 10th degree black belt draping the coffin, Mr. Kelly Clements was honored to be a pallbearer during the burial service. Devin Clements (1st Degree Junior Black Belt), son of Mr. Clements, was also honored to be a pallbearer, to represent the junior ranks within the AKKA.

Kelly Clements
Head instructor (Sensei) at the Martial Arts & Self Defense Academy in Tucson, Arizona and founder (Shodai) of the Shinkyu Kenpo Association

Mr. Clements Shodai Sensei holds a 4th Degree Black Belt in Shinkyu Kenpo and a 3rd Degree Black Belt in American Kenpo Karate though the International Martial Arts Council (IMAC). At this time Mr. Clements is undergoing 4th Degree Black Belt testing though IMAC and will finnish the 13 month test on November 1, 2008.

Mr. Clements was born on May 29, 1961 in Rapid City, South Dakota and lived their until the age of 3. His farther, a Highway Patrol Officer in South Dakota at the time soon joined the U.S. Border Patrol and moved the family to Calexico, California, then to El Centro, California. 4 years later his farther was recruited by the U.S. Customs Service and the family was relocated to Tucson, Arizona were they stayed for about 3 years. After becoming officer in charge of a new office for the newly formed Drug Enforcement Administration his family was relocated to the border town of Douglas, Arizona. Mr. Clements now 10 years old had to learned the harsh reality of living in a border town (run, fight, or get beaten up). At the age of 11 was introduced to the Martial Arts. Mr. Clements studied Judo for about 3 years until his teacher (a Major in the Army, stationed in Fort Huachuca) was transferred. Mr. Clements was reintroduced to the Martial Arts in Okinawa when he was serving in the U.S. Marine Corps. In 1981 his unit was the first Marine Corp combat unit to go to Korea since the Korea war. There they where given an intense Self Defense course in hand to hand against fighters trained in Taekwondo, The preferred fighting style of the North Korean military. It wasn't until 1988 after Mr. Clements got out of the U.S. Coast Guard (84-88) did he get back into a tradition system. Mr. Clements studied Yang style Tai Chi Chuan (Yang Cheng Fu) for about 5 years. He trained 3 to 4 hours a day, 5 days a week under Sifu Jane Hallander and Grandmaster Doc Fai Wong (student of Professor Hu Yuen Chou, grandson of the founder of Yang Tai Chi) at the Marin Tai-Chi Center, just north of San Francisco. His training stopped after the sad death of Sifu Jane Hallander.

After moving back to Tucson, Arizona in 2000, Mr. Clements began training in American Kenpo (American Kenpo Karate Academies) under Mrs. K. Thibault, 3th Degree Black Belt, one of Grandmaster Packer's top and most dedicated instructors. 6 years later and after achieving his 2nd Degree Black Belt in the AKKA, Mr. Clements was ask if he would like to run his own AKKA school in Tucson under Mrs. Thibault. Mr. Clements declined the opportunity and was happy just being one of Mrs. Thibault's instructors. Less than a year after the death of Grandmaster Packer the AKKA system fractured into different groups with some schools joining other systems, and others keeping the AKKA systen name and logo but seperate from the main system. Politics and polices where introduced into what was left of the oringal AKKA system that Mr. Clements just could not agree with. Mr. Clements formaly resigned his possion as instructor and left the system.

Mr. Clements happily became a personal trainer in a small Gym that is part of a Country Club on the north east side of Tucson. He continued to practice his studies in kenpo and started cross training in TFT (Target-Focus Training) and other Combat Self-Defense Fighting Arts. After being asked by several people, time and time again, he started teaching a small Self-Defense class for just a couple of students, one being Jereme Lockwood a black belt in Shinkyu Do. Mr. Clements crossed trained in Shinkyu Do, quickly learning everything Mr. Lockwood and Shinkyu Do had to offer up to 1st Degree Black Belt. With the help of Mr. Lockwood the Martial Arts & Self Defense Academy was created and the classes got bigger, it wasn't long after that Shinkyu Kenpo was born. The first official class under the Shinkyu Kenpo banner was on July 11, 2006. Mr. Lockwood, a good & dedicated martial artist, and main contributor to the birth of Shinkyu Kenpo, moved away to his home state shortly after the launch of the Shinkyu Kenpo system leaving Mr. Clements to run the system and school on his own. Mr. Clements contenues to bulid his student base and work on the Shinkyu Kenpo system, making it better and stronger.

Mr. Clements is now working with Master Shawn Knight founder of the American Institute of Kenpo (AIK) and president of the International Martial Arts Council (IMAC) in his endeavors with IMAC in any capacity needed by Master Shawn Knight.