Hawaiian Kempo

Hawaiian Kempo is an eclectic martial arts system that integrates the realistic aspects of karate, judo, jiu-jitsu, grappling, and the boxing arts, creating a comprehensive and effective system for self-defense. Our system was developed on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, by Grandmaster Martin T. Buell, who is considered to be one of the most respected and recognized kempo instructors in the world.

The adult curriculum at Universal Kempo Bothell is measured by high standards and offers a realistic challenge for all students. Our curriculum is designed to enhance your physical fitness levels by increasing strength, muscle tone, endurance, flexibility, and weight loss through high/low-intensity workouts and strengthening exercises through a cross-training regimen.

Our instructors understand that students possess various abilities, skills and learning capabilities. Our curriculum targets all three learning styles and focuses on the building block theory of training with high frequency, which increases high retention for all students. We incorporate a simple no-nonsense approach to self-defense, which has been proven to be highly effective when placed in a critical and violent situation. We’ve maintained the “hard contact” style of training but place a strong emphasis on maintaining a safe and serious training environment. We encourage and train students to work together as partners, rather than with an opponent, and to work at their individual levels to help each other to grow and develop into becoming better martial artists.

We believe that the path to becoming a true Kempo practitioner is through personal growth and self-discovery of the mind, body and spirit.

BMAA offers programs for youth starting at age 6 through 13 and adult classes starting at age 14 and above.