DIRECTORS
meet the board
Grandmaster Walter Andrae
9th Degree
President
(Original Method)
Born in 1944 in San Francisco, Walter Andrae began his lifelong martial arts journey in the mid-1960s with Goju-Kai Karate under Gosei Yamaguchi, training on 18th Street in San Francisco. A few years later, he explored Kenpo under Rick Alemany, but it was in 1970 that everything changed — he met Chief Instructor Joseph S. Halbuna and began training in Kajukenbo, a path that would define his martial arts life.
Under the personal mentorship of GGM Halbuna, he progressed steadily through the ranks, earning his first black belt in 1975, presented by Sijo Adriano Emperado himself. His dedication and skill led to further promotions by Professor Halbuna: to 6th degree Sigung in 1995, 7th in 1998 (also with the recognition of Professors Ming Lum and Walter Morris), and ultimately to Professor, 8th degree in 2002 — just before Halbuna's passing. In 2018, he was promoted to Grandmaster, 9th degree, with the blessing of the Sijo’s Board of Advisors and the Halbuna Ohana.
Beyond Kajukenbo, his martial background is extensive. He holds a black belt in Wado Ryu Karate through the USKA, trained with Herr Zentner (seven-time German national champion), and competed in both American and German martial arts tournaments throughout the 1970s and 1980s. He also trained in Bojuka knife and club techniques, and worked closely with Brooks K.S. Luke, a respected martial artist with advanced ranks in Kajukenbo, Kenkabo, Jujitsu, Judo, and Aikido.
In his professional and academic life, he holds a Doctorate in Adult Education from the University of Georgia and is a graduate of the Army Management Staff College in Fort Belvoir, Virginia. His international experiences include living in Germany and Italy, and his personal passions include rafting, hiking, and shooting.
Today, he remains an active figure in the martial arts world, serving on the Master Advisory Council of the Southeastern Martial Arts Federation, the Grand Masters’ Committee of Sanshin-ryu Jujitsu International, and as a member of the Wun Hop Kuen Do International Association. Most meaningfully, he continues to honor the legacy of his teacher as a board member of the Halbuna Ohana.
Senior Grandmaster Gary Deaver
9th Degree
Vice President
(Maschmeier Method)
Senior Grandmaster Gary Deaver began his martial arts training in Kajukenbo Karate in 1985, under the instruction of the late Great Grandmaster Joseph Halbuna and received his 9th Degree Black Belt under Great Grandmaster Bob Maschmeier and the Kajukenbo Council of Grandmasters. He also holds a 5th Degree Black Belt in Kodenkan Danzan Ryu Jujitsu, received from Grandmaster Willy Cahill. He is the founder and head instructor of CKS Martial Arts of Gatesville, Texas and has taught at various seminar venues and private classes.
Senior Grandmaster Deaver continued training in Kajukenbo while pursuing other arts to increase his knowledge and skills. In 1991 began training in Kodenkan Danzan Ryu Jujitsu under the instruction of Professor Willy Cahill. He received his Shodan in 1994 and currently holds the Black Belt rank of Godan (5th Degree).
Other martial arts in which Senior Grandmaster Deaver has trained include Sil Lum Fut Ga under Sifu Andy Ching and selected courses in Tai Chi.
Shortly after receiving his Black Belt, Professor Deaver founded Coast Karate Studio East Bay, which he taught along with the help of his son, Professor Jared Deaver and after his move to Texas, he established CKS Martial Arts of Gatesville. He has taught and promoted several students to the rank of Black Belt and continues to teach.
At CKS Martial Arts, Gatesville you will learn both Kajukenbo Karate and Kodenkan Jujitsu. These arts are taught in a combined fashion, so you will progress in rank in each of them at the same time.
In addition to his activities at the school, Senior Grandmaster Deaver has taught Women's Self Defense courses for various organizations which include churches, schools, hospitals, professional offices, and medical organizations.
Sifu Ilona Halbuna
5th Degree
Halbuna Family Representative (Original Method)
Associate Professor Donny Togisala
7th Degree
Secretary
(Togisala Method)
Donny Togisala is currently a Shichidan (7th Degree Black Belt) in Kajukenbo. He began training at the age of five under his father, Avefua Max Togisala, at the Togisala Kajukenbo Self Defense Institute of San Jose. He earned his Shodan (1st Degree Black Belt) in 1989 from GM Togisala under the direction of Sijo Adriano D. Emperado and Great Grandmaster Joseph S. Halbuna.
With over 50 years of training and teaching, Donny continues his Kajukenbo journey under Grandmaster Gene "Chief" Garcia of Garcia Kajukenbo in San Jose—his father’s senior black belt. In addition to his Kajukenbo background, he trained in Danzan Ryu Jujitsu, earning his Shodan under Shihan Russ Rhodes of Kodenkan Jujitsu Dojo, and also holds a Shodan under Senior Professor James Muro of Chow Hoon Goshin Jitsu. He is also trained and certified in Walt Bayless No-Gi Jiu Jitsu, coached by Master Aaron "Ace" Reese.
Donny was an active Sport Karate competitor starting in the 1980s, traveling across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. He became the 1991 NBL Super Heavyweight Sparring Champion and was a runner-up NBL Kata Champion. Most recently, he was the 2023 and 2024 runner-up 50+ Sparring Grand Champion at the Kajukenbo Worldwide Tournament.
He has shared his expertise through seminars taught in California, Nevada, Hawaii, and Kuwait, carrying forward the legacy of his teachers and family while promoting the spirit and depth of Kajukenbo on a global stage.
Sifu Ephraim Cheever
4th Degree
Treasurer
(Original Method)
Ephraim Cheever began his Kajukenbo training in 1997 under Great Grandmaster Joseph S. Halbuna, studying at Halbuna’s dojos in Pacifica and Daly City, California. After Grandmaster Halbuna's passing in 2002, Ephraim remained dedicated to preserving his teacher’s legacy, continuing to train and assist at the school under Professor Lee Helphrey, alongside a team of committed instructors. In 2007, he earned his student black belt under Professor Helphrey, solidifying his role within the Halbuna lineage.
When the last Halbuna School in Pacifica became inactive, Ephraim took the initiative to revive Grandmaster Halbuna’s legacy. After reconnecting with Professor Helphrey, Ephraim was given the rights to reopen the last Halbuna school along with the stewardship of the Kajukenbo Pacific Coast Association. He successfully reopened the school in San Carlos, CA and later Foster City, California, in 2019, ensuring the continuation of the Halbuna tradition and creating a home for students to study authentic Kajukenbo.
Throughout his martial arts journey, Ephraim has trained with several distinguished Kajukenbo practitioners, including Senior Grandmaster Frank Cariaga, Grandmaster Walter Andrae, and Associate Professor Donny Togisala, in addition to his foundational training under Grandmaster Halbuna and Professor Helphrey. His instruction emphasizes both tradition and practical self-defense, rooted deeply in the values of the original Kajukenbo system.
Ephraim holds black belt ranks or higher in Bujinkan Ninjutsu and Decuerdas Eskrima under Grandmaster Richard Van Donk, as well as in Kosho Ryu Kenpo under Hanshi Bruce Juchnik. He has also trained in Danzan Ryu Jujitsu, Kodokan Judo, and Tang Soo Do, demonstrating a broad commitment to martial development across both striking and grappling arts.
With over 16 years of law enforcement experience, Ephraim brings a professional edge to his instruction. He has served as a firearms instructor, defensive tactics instructor, and use-of-force instructor, as well as a Force Science Use of Force Analyst, blending traditional martial arts knowledge with modern tactical applications.
JOIN THE LEGACY
Whether you are a lifelong student of Kajukenbo or newly discovering the art, the KPCA welcomes those who value tradition, discipline, and connection. Through gatherings, education, and shared lineage, we stand together to ensure the Halbuna spirit of Kajukenbo lives on.
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