Sr. Grand Master Edmund W. Louis

Senior Grand Master Edmund W. Louis – 1938-2017

Grandmaster Edmund W. Louis was born in 1938 on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. He was raised in Honolulu (Kalihi – Kamehameha IV Rd.) and graduated from Saint Louis College in 1956. During the 40’s he started his martial arts training with Sensei Val Ruex in Judo and Jujitsu at Saint John Church. He later trained with Professor Henry Okazaki near the old Honolulu Rapid Transit Company on Alapai Street. He was also was introduced to the Chinese Martial Arts of Hung Gar by a Buddhist Priest in the Nuuanu area.

In 1957, Grandmaster Edmund Louis enlisted in the United States Air Force. He continued his training in Judo and received his Shodan Black Belt in 1958 from Sensei Jack Dempsey at Eglin Air Force Base, California.

In the 70’s he started his Kajukenbo training with Grandmaster George Iversen and in 1978, Grandmaster Edmund Louis, Joe Bunch, and Lloyd Mc Kee started Leeward Kenpo Karate Association. Grandmaster Edmund Louis has branches in Hawaii, Washington, California, Washington D.C., Mexico, and Japan. He has incorporated traditional katas, weaponry, and Chinese forms in his system. For the past twenty-four years, Grandmaster Edmund Louis has held the Leeward Kenpo Karate Open Martial Arts Tournament on the island of Oahu.

In 2001, Sijo Adriano D. Emperado promoted Edmund Louis to the title of Grandmaster, and the rank of 9th degree at his Foster Village School. In attendance were, Grandmasters Sixto Ramos Jr., Henry Mandac, Walter Godin, Professors Luka Ramos, Curtis Arrayan, Gerry Scott, Nelson New, and the Leeward Kenpo Karate members.

During his years of teaching, he has promoted over sixty black belts and seven have reached the rank of Professor, 8th degree.

He is among the elite that have received the rank of 9th degree, Grandmaster in the Kajukenbo system under the family tree of Grandmaster Sid Asuncion.

The other elite are Alfred Dela Cruz, Albert Dacascos, Sixto Ramos Jr., and George Iversen.

Grandmaster Edmund Louis is a member of the Unified World Martial Arts Federation, Island Kenpo Karate Association, International Kajukenbo Association, and the American Teacher’s Association Of The Martial Arts.

Senior Grand Master Edmund W. Louis passed on May 13, 2017, at home with his daughters U’i and Michelle nearby.

His legacy at Leeward Kenpo is being carried forward by his daughters and his Black Belt ‘ohana.