Master Mike Young

[Matt]

I've seen his name come up a lot lately, but can't find any information on him. Who is he and who did he train under? I checked the who's who section, but he's not in there. Is he a senior practitioner?

Matt

[John Bishop]

Master Mike Young is a "advisor" to the Kajukenbo system.  Like Grandmaster Ming Lum  (who is also an advisor) he is a long time Kung Fu practitioner.  He is based in Hawaii.
I don't know if you will find much about him or many of the old time Hawaiians on the web.   The Hawaiians who have chosen to stay on the islands have not received very much publicity at all.  
I can attest to the fact that the martial arts media has in the past concentrated it's efforts on martial artists on the west coast, celebrities, and now NHB fighters.  Honestly, William Chow received little or no publicity until he died in 1987.      

[Matt]

Master Mike Young is a "advisor" to the Kajukenbo system.  Like Grandmaster Ming Lum  (who is also an advisor) he is a long time Kung Fu practitioner.  He is based in Hawaii.
I don't know if you will find much about him or many of the old time Hawaiians on the web.   The Hawaiians who have chosen to stay on the islands have not received very much publicity at all.  
I can attest to the fact that the martial arts media has in the past concentrated it's efforts on martial artists on the west coast, celebrities, and now NHB fighters.  Honestly, William Chow received little or no publicity until he died in 1987.      

Thanks -it's nice to have something to put with the name when one hears it.  It's true, the real old timers really haven't gotten the press they deserve. I think this is where many misunderstandings get propagated. The most famous / vocal folks in the martial art community are not always the most senior.

As for Professor Chow, given his huge contribution to the kempo/kenpo arts, it is an enormous shame he didn't receive the care that he deserved during his lifetime. I'm glad that the Kajukenbo community is not making that mistake with Sijo. One really gets the idea that the kajukenbo community is really looking out for him.
Matt

[BB54]

I really have not thought of our Kajukenbo Advisors until now.  One of the Advisors in Northern California is Grand Master Al Novak.  GM Novak is a long time friend of GM Gaylord.  GM Gaylord told me that a large amount of his Chinese Martial Arts comes from him.  Of the Advisors we do know of, it would be nice to have Bio's on as many as we can.  These advisors have indirectly or directly contributed to the system we know today as Kajukenbo.

[John Bishop]

That's a good idea Sigung Baxter.  If someone can email me bio's on Master Mike Young, Grandmaster Al Novak, and Grandmaster Ming Lum, I'll be glad to post them in the "Who's Who".  

[Matt]

That's a good idea Sigung Baxter.  If someone can email me bio's on Master Mike Young, Grandmaster Al Novak, and Grandmaster Ming Lum, I'll be glad to post them in the "Who's Who".  

I second that. The 'who's who' section is a great asset to the forum, especially for we 'extended family' types. As a bit of a historian, I find it a good starting point for a lot of research.

Matt

[MARK GERRY]

I WILL CALL GRANDMASTER MING LUM IN THE MORNING AN SEE WHERE I CAN GET HIS BIO, I WILL SEE GREAT GRANDMASTER AL NOVAK THIS WEEK FOR LUNCH AND GET HIS

[MARK GERRY]

For over 60 years Great Grand Master Al Novak has devoted his time and effort to the growth and improvement of the Martial Arts.  In addition, he courageously honored and served this country in the major battles of WWII.   Martial Arts Training and Contributions
    Kajukenbo                   
                N. CA Kung-Fu Federation Officer
    Judo                     
               Co-Founder Jun Fan Gung Fu Silum Original with T.Y. Wong & J.Y. Lee Institute - Hayward      
    Shotokan Karate          
  Author, Advanced Iron Palm
    Greco Wrestling            
 I.M.A.C.F. Officer
    Jiu Jitsu - Kano System         
Co-Founder U.W.M.A. Federation
   Wado Ryu Karate                
Co-Founder A.M.A.P.A.
   Wing Chun

                  Service
    Pearl Harbor Survivor - Submarine Service
                San Quentin Correctional Officer   
        Invasion of France – English Channel      
 Police Officer for 33 Years
    Tokyo Bay – Japan Occupation Force      
    City, State, and County       
   Lido Beach P.T. Boat Training with J.F. Kennedy
   D-Day Invasion at Normandy
         
Awards and Honors
    American Red Cross Senior Life Award       
CKL Hall of Fame Award   
   Charles Atlas Honorary Award         
Bushido Award
   Living Legend Award            
Kilohana Award
   Jiu Jitsu Award               
Gathering of Eagles – Gold Ring
   Featured in Black Belt Magazine 1966     
 Featured in Popular Science
   Featured in Ring Magazine            
Featured in Inside Kung-Fu 1975
                                  1977

[MARK GERRY]

 Grandmaster Ming Lum

65 years experience
Choy Li Fut & Fut Gar
Honorable Member Kajukenbo
Chairman U.S. Division
U.S.-Phils. Martial Arts Federation
Shorinji Ryu International
U.S.A. Adviser  
Grandmaster Ming Lum known as the unofficial Godfather of Chinatown San Francisco to Martial Artists everywhere. He has given advice and guidance to countless martial artists.  His character is impeccable, his integrity beyond reproach.
 

[BB54]

Thanks for the info Sifu Mark.  I knew you knew something of each of these advisors, Grand Master Ming Lum and Great Grand Master Al Novak.

Sifu Gray Cassidy who is 5th Degree in Kajukenbo Gaylord Method in Snohomish, Washington is also a instructor in Choy Li Fut for Doc Fai Wong and did not realize that Ming Lum had anything to do with Kajukenbo until he met him at Grand Master Gaylord's birthday party a couple of years ago.  I had not mentioned it to him at the time.  All things came together then.  There are quite a few movements in both our forms and techniques that are almost verbatim Choy Li Fut movements from their many forms. For years, Sifu Gray has told me that this part of a Pinan is from this part of this Choy Li Fut form and this technique is the application for this piece of motion from this form in Choy Li Fut.  Sifu Gray Cassidy was very honored to get to meet both GGM Al Novak and GM Ming Lum.