GRANDMASTER MAX TOGISALA

Grand Master Max Togisala has over 40 years experience in the Marshal Arts. It all began in 1960 when he started training in Tae Kwon Do, he attained his black belt in 1965. After high school, Grand Master Max went in to the military for a period of two years and spent one tour of duty in Vietnam from 1965 to 1967.

After returning home he became interested in the Kajukenbo system and trained under the late, great Grand Master Joe Halbuna. He gained a great deal of respect for both Professor (at the time) Joe Halbuna and this devastating art form that combines technical ground work and proves to be both effective and deadly.

Grand Master Max attained his black in the Kajukenbo system in 1970 and has made it a big part of his life ever since. He has produced many of his own black belts, some of them have branched out and opened there own schools that are scattered across northern California, Texas, Colorado, and Nevada.

Grand Master Joe Halbuna attained his black belt in Hawaii and was one of the 1st Generation of black belts that came out of the Palama Settlement under Sijo Adriano Emperado. Grand Master Joe Halbuna passed away in 2004 leaving a legacy of quality students that are dedicated and show themselves honored to be apart of Kajukenbo, and its history.

Grand Master Max is from Laie, Hawaii and grew up in the bay Area. He also founded his 1st Kajukenbo school in San Jose, California. He retired from Pacific Bell in 1998 and moved shortly after to his new home in Las Vegas, Nevada. In 1999, Las Vegas, Max Togasala was promoted to Grand Master along with 8 other predominate Martial Artist. This took place at the Tropicana Hotel and Resort during the Kajukenbo International held in July.

Grand Master Max is still very involved with Martial Arts. He still gives seminars and can be heard or seen as an MC or an official at the San Diego Grand Internationals, IMAC Internationals among others and holds his own tournaments in San Jose CA, Yearly.

He also advises his schools and is there to assist in any way he can to help others promote growth and keep the integrity of there art strong for future generations.