Great GrandMaster Aleju C. Reyes
RKK FOUNDER (1927-1977)
GGM Aleju C. Reyes and Sijo Emperado ©RKK / Kajukenbo Archive
NAME: ALEJU CALUYA REYES
TITLE: GREAT GRANDMASTER
Honorary title: SIJO'S SERGEANT OF ARMS, THE OFFICIAL KAJUKENBO SECRETARY
RANK: 10TH DEGREE Promoted BY SIJO
INSTRUCTOR Lineage: SIJO ADRIANO EMPERADO
SYSTEM: KAJUKENBO
METHOD: EMPERADO METHOD
STYLE: HARD STYLE
SCHOOL: REYES KENPO KARATE CLUB
LIVED: 1927-1977
TRAINED: 1954-1977
INSTRUCTOR: SIJO EMPERADO
LINEAGE: EMPERADO > ALEJU REYES
AFFILIATIONS: KSDI, KAA, IKA
Professor Aleju “Al” Reyes was known for his dedication to Emperado’s original Hard Style not only through the advancement of the art, but as the keeper of the written knowledge. Seeing the value of his dedication to documentation, Sijo named Aleju Reyes the official Kajukenbo Secretary. To honor his role, GGM Reyes kept detailed records which were passed down to SGM Alan M. Reyes who was named Chief Librarian of the Kajukenbo System for Self-Defense. The Kajukenbo Archive is now overseen by Sigung Alan Christopher Reyes.
"make your mistakes on the mat not on the street” - GGM Aleju Reyes
Sijo Emperado promotes Aleju Reyes to 10th Degree ©RKK / Kajukenbo Archive
circa 1958, Palama Settlement, Oahu, Hawaii. Aleju Reyes (front, right)
Aleju Reyes (left) Charles Lakalo (center) Henry Mendac (right)
1950s (Left to right) - Bay Kaowili, Kenneth Funokoshi, Antoque, Antone Silva- Back row- Charles Lakalo, Henry Mandac, Ben Kekumu, Gabby, Sijo Adriano Emperado, Howard Papioli, Aleju Reyes. ©RKK/Kajukenbo Archive
Aleju Reyes, Bruce Lee, Roland Cabagbag
©RKK/Kajukenbo Archive
GGM Aleju C. Reyes ©RKK / Kajukenbo Archive
History
Professor Aleju Reyes, along with fellow students Leoning, Ramos, Gaylord, and Halbuna, was instrumental in bringing Kajukenbo to the mainland in the late 1950’s. Reyes started the first training classes at Travis Air Force Base in Solano County, CA, where he taught military, dependents, security police, Air Force OSI, and civilians. He later opened schools in Suisun City, Vacaville, and Napa.
“I was fortunate to have been with them at TAFB at one time, the real deal.” - Emil Bautista
Beginning his Kajukenbo journey in the early fifties, Professor Aleju “Al” Reyes trained at the famed Palama Settlement Gym with Adriano Emperado and at the Kaimuki YMCA Gym with Joe Emperado. His daily workouts were extreme, even dangerous, when compared to modern standards. Bloody noses and broken fingers were considered minor incidents in a training session were students' arms were often dislocated due to an overzealous takedown or ground attack. Just to be admitted to the class, Reyes endured extreme forms of "hazing," consisting of continuous verbal abuse and constant questioning of his commitment to the school.
With those early years behind him, Reyes found that passing through the ranks was a formidable task. Constant training with the “Chief" (Adriano Emperado), “Instructor Joe" (Joe Emperado), and “Big Ben” guided his desires and dedication. Receiving his Black Belt required many hours of devotion, blood, sweat, and tears.
Throughout his training, Reyes took notes on the Kajukenbo knowledge and techniques he was learning. Professor Adriano Emperado recognized the value of these notes in maintaining the essence of the original art, and he named Professor Aleju Reyes the Kajukenbo Secretary, responsible for maintaining all written documents pertaining to Kajukenbo knowledge.
Northern Pacific Nationals 1972
Tournaments
In addition to teaching, Professor Reyes began one of the oldest tournaments to date – the Northern Pacific Nationals – where competitors such as Al Dacascos, Phil Cornin, Alan M. Reyes, Bill Owens, and Franco Ramirez of the "Kajukenbo Team" all gained notoriety. Professor Aleju Reyes was also the first promoter to start a Women's Division and a separate Junior Division; he was the first promoter to bring in a female Black Belt judge, Malia Dacascos. He was also a much sought after judge and ring official within the tournament scene. He and Ed Parker routinely supported each others tournaments.
MUSIC
Also an accomplished musician, Aleju Reyes frequently played drums, ukulele, and sang not only in his own band but for Maria Reyes’ Hawaiian Luaus. Maria, his wife taught hula which was a regular thing around the Dojo.
Aleju Reyes (left), Tony Ramos (second from left), Maria Reyes (second from right), and daughter Marlyn Reyes (front, center).
©RKK/Kajukenbo Archive
Aleju Reyes on drums. ©RKK/Kajukenbo Archive
1977 GGM Aleju Reyes funeral procession. GGM Reyes was an 8th degree red/black belt when he died August 3, 1977.
Visible from left to right; Lee Hart, Don Nahoolewa, Bill Rodriguez, Dave Beyer, Alan Reyes, Bill Owens, Gary Forbach, Al Novak.
"I have carried on as he taught me and I will continue to do that. May he live forever in our thoughts and our hearts, he was the most honorable man I ever met in the Martial Arts. " - Senior Grandmaster Gary Forbach.
HIGHLIGHTS
1947 GGM Aleju Reyes is honorably discharge from the Army of the United States.
1954 GGM Aleju Reyes began training with Sijo Emperado.
1959 GGM Aleju Reyes moves to Carlsbad, CA and then to Fairfield, CA and begins teaching at Travis AFB, California.
1960 GGM Aleju Reyes formally opened a school in Suisun City, California named the Suisun Self Defense Institute.
1967 GGM Aleju Reyes along with Gaylord, Romas, Halbuna, and Dacascos founded the Kajukenbo Association of America.
1967 GGM Aleju Reyes organized classes for the Vacaville Recreation Department which is still active today at Vacaville’s Three Oaks Community Center currently headed by GM Ed and Peggy Zickowski.
1969 GGM Aleju Reyes became the first president of the International Kajukenbo Association.
1977 GGM Aleju Reyes was an 8th degree red/black belt when he died August 3, 1977.
1981 GGM Aleju Reyes was posthumously promoted to Great Grandmaster and holder of the 10th degree red/gold belt by Sijo Adriano Emperado.
BLACKBELTS
1. Don Nahoolewa 2. Richard Peralta 3. Alan Reyes 4. Joe Davis 5. Leroy Hart 6. Dave Beyer 7. Bill Rodriguez 8. Roger Runninghawk 9. Gary Forbach 10. Joseph Tarango 11. Curtis Nelson 12. Rhonda Forbach 13. Sharon Runninghawk 14. Vincent Castillo 15. Bill Mesenburg 16. Michael Merritt 17. Sam Allred 18. Tony Cummings