Senior Grand Master Al Dela Cruz

Senior Grand Master Alfred Dela Cruz

Kajukenbo Chuan-Fa

Sifu Dela Cruz first started martial arts training in Judo at 10 years old. At age 15, 

He took up boxing at the Aiea Boxing gym in 1957. 

In December 1957, he met a high ranking black belt named Sid Ascuncion. Sifu Dela Cruz began training at Sid Ascuncion’s Kenpo Karate School 

In Kalihi in early 1958. Sifu Dela Cruz received his black belt certificate from Sid Ascuncion in 1963.

In the early 1960’s, Sifu Dela Cruz was introduced to Professor Adriano Emperado by Sid Ascuncion. 

During the years between 1963 and 1970, Sifu Dela Cruz and Al Dacascos met with Professor Emperado at a restaurant named Kau Kau Jr. on Nimitz Highway. 

Al Dacascos was a cook at Kau Kau Jr. at the time and Professor Emperado would stop by as the area was on his beat as a Honolulu Harbor Police Officer. 

Professor Emperado would show Dela Cruz and Dacascos a lot of Kung Fu moves, as this was the BO(Chinese
Boxing) in the KAJUKENBO System. 

The three would also meet frequently at Pier 7 and
at the Ilikai Hotel to talk about Kajukenbo training and techniques, while having coffee and a bite to eat.

In the mid 1970’s, Professor Emperado advised Sifu Dela Cruz to use the Chuan-Fa (Fist/Chinese Boxing) name, in his school name, so the school became the Kajukenbo
Chuan-Fa Kung Fu School.

Sifu Dela Cruz also became a Honolulu Police Officer in February 1971. 

He competed in boxing in three International Police Olympic Games:
1978-San Diego, Bronze Medal
1980-New York, Bronze Medal
1982-Houston, Bronze Medal

Sifu Dela Cruz also competed and won a Bronze medal in the 1984 International Police Olympic Games in Canada in Karate-Kumite.

He retired from HPD on December 30, 1999. The very next day, he started as a Honolulu Police Reserve Officer, where he continues in that capacity to this day. 

He has 50 years of total service to the Honolulu Police Department.