Kajukenbo Family Tree
The Kajukenbo Family Tree: A Legacy of Tradition and Unity
The Kajukenbo Family Tree is a living archive that traces the lineage of black belts who have carried on the legacy of Kajukenbo across generations. Created by Senior Grand Master (SGM) Philip Gelinas and his wife, Ruth Gelinas, the Family Tree has become a vital part of Kajukenbo history. It honors the dedication, sacrifice, and perseverance of those who have helped build and preserve the art.
For decades, the Family Tree has connected martial artists from around the world, serving as an evolving map of our shared heritage. The work began in the 1970s as a personal quest by SGM Gelinas to understand his own lineage, but it soon grew into one of the most important records in Kajukenbo history.
A New Chapter for the Family Tree
As SGM Gelinas and Ruth pass the torch, Kajukenbo.com (Reyes Kajukenbo Archive) and KSDI are honored to continue the stewardship of this invaluable historical record. Under the guidance of Glen Fraticelli – Director of Operations, KSDI, and Christopher Reyes, son of Senior Grandmaster Alan M. Reyes and grandson of Great Grandmaster Aleju “Al” C. Reyes, the Family Tree will continue to be preserved and updated, ensuring it remains a source of pride for future generations.
How to Be Listed on the Kajukenbo Family Tree
Being listed on the Kajukenbo Family Tree is a mark of honor and recognition. To preserve the integrity of the art and its lineage, we follow a respectful and structured process.
Step 1: Join the Community
First, become a member of the Kajukenbo.com community. This gives you access to registration and helps us stay connected.
Step 2: Register as a Black Belt
To be considered for the Family Tree, you must be a Registered Black Belt. This includes submitting your lineage, rank, and a clear photo of your Black Belt certificate. If your certificate is unavailable, we will work with your instructor to verify your credentials.
Join Here: kajukenbo.com/community
We are deeply grateful for the legacy entrusted to us, and we are excited to continue building on it. Together, we’ll keep the Kajukenbo tradition alive for future generations.
NOTE: If you bought an earlier version from kajukenbo.com and you have not received a download link for the updated version, please let us know.
A historic, last-of-its-kind digital release — available exclusively on Kajukenbo.com.
This is the final Kajukenbo Family Tree created by Senior Grandmaster Philip Gelinas—a respected teacher, historian, and longtime steward of our lineage record. Completed in 2024, this edition marks the closing chapter of SGM Gelinas’s direct authorship; he will not be producing any further family trees. Stewardship now continues under Kajukenbo.com, preserving and expanding the work he began.
Crafted with SGM Gelinas’s trademark care and accuracy, this definitive snapshot traces our roots from Palama-era pioneers through generations of instructors and students. Names appear beneath their instructors to clearly reflect lineage, and—where present—numbers beside names typically indicate the year black belt rank was awarded. It’s both a study tool and a piece of living history—made to be referenced, taught from, and proudly displayed.
What you’re getting
High-resolution digital download (print-ready; ideal for zooming, study, and display)
Document size: 66” X 36” at 300dpi File size: 53MB
Definitive 2024 snapshot: the last edition authored by SGM Gelinas
Lineage-forward layout for clarity and teaching
Official provenance: offered exclusively by Kajukenbo.com
Community impact
Proceeds from every purchase support the Gelinas family, in gratitude for SGM Gelinas’s decades of service to the Kajukenbo Ohana.
Legal
Personal, non-commercial license to the purchaser. You may download and print one personal copy for private display. No redistribution, resale, public posting, uploading, or derivatives. Do not remove credits/watermarks. For commercial use, contact Kajukenbo.com.