During the late 1940s, Palama Settlement was considered a menacing neighborhood, so a small group of martial artists calling themselves the Black Belt Society met to train and learn from one another.

The end result was Kajukenbo, a mash-up of karate (ka), judo and jiujitsu (ju), kenpo (ken) and Chinese boxing and kung fu (bo). Participants learned techniques including strikes to vital parts of the body that could be used to disarm an attacker.

Under the instruction of Ray and Lee-Ann Sagum who learned from Matt Levi of Lawakua Kajukenbo, students are learning these combined skills at the Art of Fitness studio in Kakaako. Classes are held Tuesday evenings and Saturday mornings.

To progress from a beginner’s white belt to the next-level orange belt, participants must master seven sparring tactics, 10 self-defense grab moves, 10 self-defense trick moves and two katas, or detailed choreographed moves.

The class utilizes both cardio and strength training components along with techniques that involve a lot of kicking and punching.

When I went to try out the class, I was so overwhelmed by all the new information and focus that I forgot my left from my right, leaving me in an opposite stance from everyone else on numerous occasions. Ray Sagum, owner of the Art of Fitness, had to continually correct my position. (I was paying attention, I promise.)

We played a "game" that utilized the various sparring techniques and required gloves and mitts. If you were hit or kicked by your opponent, you had to do a pushup.

Blocking was toughest for me. My partner was a teenage girl, who gasped the couple times I managed to strike her, but I was the one who ended up doing a lot of pushups that day.

Jordan Limahai, a 22-year-old Wai­ma­nalo resident, started taking Levi’s Kajukenbo classes about four years ago.

"I was sent there at the age of 18 to be disciplined. I had started getting into trouble, into fights and had all kinds of drama," he said.

"It helped me mature, made me a man. It’s a great workout, but there is a lot of mental discipline, too. You need to really learn how to listen," he said. "I walk out of there with peace of mind. I’m at ease."

The Art of Fitness Studio is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. "All members are screened, and if they are accepted they will be provided with the key to access the facility 24 hours a day," Sagum said. Security cameras and measures are there for safety.

The cost of Kajukenbo classes is $75 per month. Gym fees range from $100 to $300 per month.

The facility has a DVD library for kettlebell, Zumba, cycling, P90X, Insanity and TRX training. They also offer Crossfit-style classes. The gym has free weights, weight machines and circuit training equipment. The shower room is equipped with complimentary toiletries, hair dryers, hair curling irons, a clothes iron with ironing boards and towels. Members also have access to a computer station.

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“Tryouts” features exercise and wellness classes and other fitness activities. Reach Nancy Arcayna at narcayna@staradvertiser.com or call 529-4808.