Grandmaster Sam Alama Kuoha

     Born in Hawaii, from a Royal-blood Hawaiian father and Chinese mother on November 26, 1946, Sam started his martial arts career at four (4) years old learning in a karate system under his uncle, Joe Mack Makahilahila. At the age of 12, he entered into a training stage that would set his life as later becoming the Grandmaster of the Chinese Kara-Ho Kempo Karate System. He spent many years as a disciple, living in a martial arts temple, training 8-10 hours daily, six (6) days a week. His training at this time evolved around Kara-Ho Kempo and Sam trained with the founder-originator of the system, learning at a young age that in order for one to be best one can be, the seeking of knowledge must come through the best. He learned first, from Master Kuheana, (from 1958-1968) a protégé under Professor Chow then the famed, Professor William Chow, himself (from 1977-1987). Sam also studied other martial arts disciplines (1968-1977) and eventually assisted Professor Chow in adding to the already superb art of The Chinese Kara-Ho Kempo-Kenpo Karate System. In 1987 after the untimely death of Professor Chow, Sam was deemed the new successor to the system, being promoted to 10th degree black belt, the highest and only one from Professor Chow by his advisor, the prominent physician, Dr. Ronald Perry, MD with Mrs. Patsy Chow as witness. The system flourished from 20 dedicated student's total, in two schools to what it is today. He was the instrument in developing the growth in these past years, which has grown to over 200 schools with over 10,000 students in 20 different countries, and still growing. He has several schools in San Diego, and some owned by his teenage daughter, Ka'imipono.
     He has appeared in over 150 different feature articles in major magazines along with gracing over 35 international magazine covers just in the past twenty (20) years. The popularity of the system he now heads has become one of the fastest growing and strongest organizations in the world today.
     He is the president of Hawaiiana Canine School, the oldest canine training school in San Diego (since 1969). He has developed a training program that has produced some of the top obedience and protection dogs in the area. A canine behaviorist, he has helped with literally thousands of problem canines.
     A member of Screen Actor's Guild (SAG), he has acted in the following:
"Sword of Heaven" a TWE Film. Role and fight coordinator. "Hearts of Fire" a Corelco Picture. Role, stunt and action coordinator. "Return of the Killer Tomatoes" a New World pictures release. Role, stunt and action coordinator. "K-9" a Columbia Picture. Stunts. "Black Belt Angels" by Silver Bell Film, Inc. Co-star, stunt, action coordinator and the fight choreographer. This film starred his daughter, Ka'imi. He has also appeared on the TV show, "One West Waikiki" as Detective Chang, which stars Cheryl Ladd. He also holds the world's record ice-break of 2,150#'s, 16' high, with his forehead which was performed on the "Tonight Show" with Jay Leno. He was also seen on "Real TV" and the TV show, "Lights-Camera-Action."
     Sam has done several videos for training. He has produced the first "History of the Chinese Kara-Ho Kempo Karate" System. He has authored several books (Multi-Media Inc.
     Sam spent several years in law enforcement in San Diego but was forced to retire due to a serious auto accident while on duty.  He has received numerous commendations, including being nominated for National Police Officer of the Year. This was due to apprehending single-handedly seven rape-assault-burglary suspects, which resulted in the apprehension of all seven suspects, five of which ended in the hospital. He has been inducted into the Martial Arts Hall of Fame six (6) times in the past 12 years, as: "Grandmaster of the Year," "Instructor of the Year," "Martial Artists of the Year," and the two most prestigious awards as Inside Kung Fu's, "Humanitarian of the Year," and Inside Karate's, "Man of the Year."
     Sam now spends his time authoring several books to include his episodes as a law enforcement officer. He travels around the world with his wife and daughter (both of which are black belts) teaching students the positive training of unity of mind and body through the uses of Ki (internal energy). He is involved in his church functions and feels that there is a strong need for spiritual reinforcements. He also trains in Hatha Yoga and is involved in the health & Wellness Company called "Nikken", which has totally changed his life.
     He now holds a ju-dan (10th degree black belt) in Chinese Kara-Ho Kempo Karate System, only system having the authority of the late Professor Chow. He also holds 2 other black belts in other systems and trained for 19 years in Aikido under the late Shihan John Damian. At the time of this writing he has been in the arts nearly 56 years and still feels there is much to learn.
     He recently has rekindled his passion for the big screen again and have joined hands in investing into a production company called; Partisen Pictures from Australia. His long time friend is also part owner and the director which he has worked on several major motion pictures such as: Matrix, Superman, and numerous more. The production company has scheduled for 7 projects and just recently finished a film called, Shattered starring Joe Estevez (younger brother of Martin Sheen and uncle of Emilio Estevez and has over 160 films under his belt) with Sam as the Executive producer. Next project is to be shot in May-June 2007 referred to as, Stone Chronicles, PI where he will act as well as be the action/stunt coordinator. Some of the projects will costs in the $40-100 million dollar range for the future and negotiations are already in tow with ICON and Paramount Pictures in Australia. Some of these films will star his daughter, Sensei Ka'imipono Kwai Sun Kuoha. The near future hopefully brings much joy in spending time with his 12 grandchildren even if they are abroad in Utah and Idaho.
     Kuoha believes in spending all of his spare time in doing positive things for himself and others and take little pride in spending time on talk forums belittling others. He does not have time to worry about what others think or allowing himself to get offended by their jealous remarks. These are things that he tries to teach his students. For he remembers something that Master Kuheana once said; "That if people don't talk bad about you, then you are nobody."
     The system is where it should be at this moment and would make Professor Chow proud. More instructors and students have been terminated then they have kept due to a lapse of morals and good will towards their fellow man.
     The future holds bright for the Kuoha's and the students of The Chinese Kara-Ho Kempo Karate System and they know in their hearts that they were there for Professor Chow and his wife Patsy in every phase of their lives and they continue to deem that positive caring and love for their master. In September, will mark the 20th year of the passing of the great Professor Chow, and Kuoha knows that he took care of him while he was alive and even after he passed on by assuming responsibility for caring of his wife, Patsy. No one in this world can say the same things as many were too involved in their own self preservation. In September the Chinese Kara-Ho Kempo Karate Students from all over the world will pay their final respects to the man, the legend, their teacher in Hawaii by re-doing his gravesite with a cost of over $14,000 and all donated by the students. A luau will be held in his honor with entertainment and a speech by Dr. Ronald Perry. An event that should not be missed but unfortunately will only be for active students of his system and their spouses. Training will also be held as in the old days for students that want to compete and see how things were, during the day and there will be no charge for these students. This is an event that is done to truly honor Professor Chow and since he wouldn't have charged for an event such as this, neither are we. Editors of magazines are planning to be in attendance for an interview with Dr. Perry and possibly Master Kuheana.
     At the young age of 60 years old, Kuoha still looks forward to doing many things and have had a great time this past year decorating his home to make it look like Hawaii. It consumes an acre that has a huge solar heated swimming with a faux waterfall looking like Waimea Falls with a meditation cave underneath. All incased in lava with bamboo fencing, 5 huge palapas sealed with lauhala matting and bamboo strips underneath. Huge faux lava flows all over the area and a 6 tier koi fish ponds that consist of over 15,000 gallons with waterfall streaming downwards. A huge 2-car carport surrounds itself with huge palapa overhead with all poles carved into various tapa designs. A huge therapeutic spa beneath one of the palapa with a lava rock waterfall flowing into the spa. A gigantic Bamboo-Cedar gazebo stand at the front of the swimming pool with 3 roofs and a custom made hand carved Tiki with 2 sides on the top of Kauai. Over 20 huge Hawaiian hand carved handmade tikis that surround the gardens including a 9' Hawaiian warrior with the headrest in the front yard. The landscape contains over 50 varieties of exotic palm trees (over 150 in all) and over 250 tropical plants, including many that are native to Hawaii such as, 30 different varieties of plumeria, Hau, gardenias, heliconia's and ginger. On the other side of the landscape have many tropical fruit trees. The property has been seen on the International Tiki Magazine and 2 others to follow including the possibility of ending up on HGTV. The inside of the house has been decorated with the same décor consisting of many custom made bamboo furniture's with custom made hand carving deflecting legends of old Hawaii. Even a hand carved LDS Temple of San Diego sits on one side of the room. Many furniture's are made from the Hawaiian Wood, Koa and oil paintings refer to the island ways. Huge authentic Tapa cloths are incased in bamboo in both the living room and the dining room. These tapa cloths were made for the king of old but given to the Kuoha's. An extension of adding another 1,500 square feet is scheduled to start by next year, which will increase the house to over 6,000 square feet. The house is our castle and our way away from the outside world and all the work is done by students.
     Kuoha has a house going up on the Big Island of Hawaii which he has an acre with a view of 360 degree of the ocean. Recently he went to Spokane, Washington to do teachings and seminars and on one of those days decided to take a 2 hour trip to Coer D'Alane, Idaho to view his 3-5 acre plots and now is in the process of building a log house on one of those properties and using it for his hunting get-a-ways. A small log cabin is also scheduled to happen on one of his properties in Utah. So besides traveling all over the world, there is much going on in the Kuoha homeland but everything with an idea of staying positive as many of his students will visit his places on vacations. As Kuoha says, never stay idle and the work must continue on. On even on his resting time, he still enjoys cycling, trying to do at least 15-25 miles each day while his wife rollerblades for the same amount. The Kuoha's enjoys doing things together and it is his wife that keeps the family sane.