Grandmaster John Chow-Hoon

Grandmaster John Chow-Hoon was born in Kapahuku Maui, Hawaii; youngest of 13 children born to Hoon-Chow and Lily Malualani Kiha.

Grandmaster Hoon-Chow first started training judo under Sensei Y. Yamamoto. He later heard about Grandmaster Henry Okazaki Jujitsu School and joined. He was placed under the supervision of Grandmaster's Bing Fai Lau and Sig Kufferath. Along with regular classes, Grandmaster Hoon-Chow was sent to study Long-Life Massage at Grandmasters Henry Okazaki's Nikko Sanitarium. While studying Danzan Ryu Jujitsu at the Kaheka lane dojo, Grandmaster Hoon-Chow was also studying the art of Koshoryu Kenpo with his brothers William and Frank. Grandmaster Hoon-Chow received his Shodan in Kenpo in 1943 and his Danzan Ryu Jujitsu certificate from Grandmaster Okazaki in 1945.
Grandmaster Hoon-Chow was inducted into the U.S. Army the day after he received his certificate in 1945. He was stationed in California and was later sent to the Philippine Islands. While in the Orient, Hoon-Chow uses to moonlight as a professional wrestler.

Upon returning home, he was selected to become the instructor at the military police school. He has also trained the Hawaii National Guard and members of the Honolulu Police Department. In the 1950's, Hoon Chow taught at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii and was selected as one of the Judo coaches representing Hawaii. They're team took 1st place at the all-military games. His heavyweight was Prof. Toru Tanaka and Larry Price who later became the University of Hawaii Head Football coach.