Book Description:

Foreword by Eugene Sedeno.

Black Robe: The Kempo/Kajukenbo Connection is the story of Hawaiian martial artist David Tavares and his life long journey in the Kempo system. The book details the origins of David's instructor, Professor Walter L.N. Godin, and the Kajukenbo technique. The book also examines the nearly six decade long unsolved murder mystery of Walter Godin's instructor, Professor Joe Emperado, presenting historical police reports and public witness statements to give a better understanding of that fateful day.

The book highlights the other four co-founders of the Kajukenbo system (and explores a lost legacy of a sixth founder) who played an important role in starting and developing Kajukenbo, giving a bit more insight into these men's martial arts legacies and forever keeping their memories alive. The final chapter of this book shows illustrated self-defense techniques from Kempo & Kajukenbo practitioners from Hawaii as well as the U.S mainland.

Over 100 historical images and training diagrams included. A must read for any artist who wants to know the untold history of Kempo & Kajukenbo. Kajukenbo is a hybrid martial art from Hawaii. The name ‘Kajukenbo’ is a combination of the various arts from which its style is derived: KA for Karate, JU for Judo and Jujutsu, KEN for Kenpo and BO for Boxing.

As of 03/13/2021

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Hawaii Kempo 10th Degree History Poster (24"x36")

$49.00

Hawaii Kempo 10th Degree History poster available exclusively from www.Black-Robe.net!

• James Mitose to Tommy Lam

• Full size 24 in x 36 in poster shipped in safe poster tube directly from the author!

• Available in horizontal or vertical

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David Tavares

David Tavares is a best selling author and 8th Degree Tavares Chinese Kempo / 8th Degree Ordonez Kajukenbo Ohana. He started his martial arts training in June 1971 at the Godin’s School of Self-Defense Pacific Palisades branch in Pearl City, Hawaii. He served three years in the United States Army as a combat engineer in the 1st Cavalry Division 8th Engineer Battalion. Fort Hood, Texas 1979-1982. Thirty five years later, after a lifetime of martial arts experience, he released Black Robe: The Kempo/Kajukenbo Connection. He has one daughter, three granddaughters and lives in Makakilo Heights on the island of Oahu with his Basenji dog Bruce Lee.

​Follow him on the Black Robe Facebook page.

David's Work

David Tavares is an author and former owner of Fighting Arts Hawaii magazine with many contributions to the fields of Kempo and Kajukenbo. 

He is available for podcasts, interviews, guest appearances and general contact.
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