Professor Buell was born on August 31, 1942, in Honolulu,
Hawaii, of Irish and Chinese ancestry. Professor Buell began his martial arts
career in 1953 when he began studying at the Kaimuki YMCA in Honolulu.
In 1956, Professor Buell trained in “Kenpo” at the Central YMCA, Honolulu,
Hawaii, with Professor Thomas Young.
In 1957, Professor Buell began his training in the Kajukenbo System with
Professor Adriano Emperado. He enrolled in the Kajukenbo Kaimuki YMCA Branch
after observing a martial arts demonstration.
Learning and training at the Kajukenbo System, Emperado Method under Professor
Emperado was the foundation planted and the beginning of Professor Buell's
dedication to the martial arts. Some of the professor's other instructors
were Paul Seronio, Al Reyes, and Walter Godin.
Professor Buell received his black belt in 1966, his second degree in February
1969, and third degree in June 1970. Professor Buell continued his teaching
and training for many years and was promoted to fifth degree Chief Instructor.
Professor Buell preserved his love for Kempo Karate by having several schools
under his leadership. The beginning of it all was started at the Pacific Palisades
Community Center in 1966. His second branch opened in 1972 at the Highlands
Intermediate School in Pearl City, Hawaii, and his third in 1974 at the
Newtown Estates Recreational Center in Aiea, Hawaii. Professor Buell
trained many instructors, some of whom started schools on the mainland during
this period. These locations included schools in Colorado, Virginia, Washington,
West Indies, Guam, California, Texas, New Hampshire, and Ohio. The name Universal
Kempo Karate Schools Association came into effect on October 23, 1981. Professor
Buell created a Board of Directors, comprised of the Chief and Senior Head
Instructors and all heads of schools under the UKKSA banner. As head of the
UKKSA, Martin Buell was recommended by his Board of Directors to be advanced
to the rank of Professor.
On May 22, 1982, Mr. Buell was promoted to the rank of Professorship, 10th
Degree. The promotion was witnessed by many martial artists in Hawaii and
from afar. This event was held at the Momilani Recreation Center in Pearl
City, Hawaii. After the promotion, Professor Buell's 300-member Universal
team provided a very special martial arts demonstration before hundreds of
guests in honor of such a rare event. The promotion was at a formal setting
where past and present students participated in the special ceremony. There
was a formal meal and gifts were awarded to Professor Buell as well as special
hula dancing dedicated to the professorship of Professor Buell.
The Universal Kempo Karate Schools Association's hard style and training
has remained the same as its predecessor. Professor Buell continues to teach
the hard body contact training, the animal, and street fighting as taught
to him by the countless hours and days of devoted training.
Professor Buell developed and improved the Universal Kempo Karate system
with modern methods and innovations. His love for Kempo Karate has always
driven him to further its growth.
The UKKSA uses the methods of escape, control, and destroy in self-defense
training considering the escalation of force. The objectives of the UKKSA
are first to teach self-defense; second, to improve physical conditioning;
third, to improve self-discipline, moral character, and humility; and fourth,
to develop comradeship among students and to encourage one another to help
each other, so all can prosper and develop.
Professor Buell, a strong and rugged fighter, won countless sparring matches
in tournament competitions. He has trained many of the most successful martial
arts competitors.
Some of Professor Buell's notable moments were:
1969, Most Outstanding Competitor—All American Championships
1968, Most Outstanding Competitor—Kajukenbo Championships
1968, Member of Sparring Team—Hawaii vs. Mainland
1968, All Hawaii Karate Championships—Runner Up
1969, Member of Sparring Team—Hawaii vs. Mainland
1974, Captain of Sparring Team—Hawaii vs. Mainland
1978, Coach—Hawaii All Stars (Highly successful sparring team participating
at the Professional Karate Association Championships in Baltimore, Maryland)
Professor Buell helped to form the Hawaiian Martial Arts Association, was
past Commissioner for the Professional Karate Association, past Rating Chairman
for Karate Illustrated Magazine, well-known professional referee
for point and full-contact tournaments, and tournament organizer and director
for many of Hawaii's martial arts tournaments.
Professor Buell's greatest fulfillment with the martial arts is enjoying
teaching and helping the student who really needs help. He is devoted to the
well-being and education in assisting students of the martial arts to become
effective participants in society. Professor Buell has to his credit the opportunity
to know, enjoy, and train thousands of students that have made themselves
better by just knowing him.
