Professor Joseph Kutzen Jr. was born in Honolulu, Hawaii. He started his martial arts training in 1965 under Chief Instructor Marci Totor of CHA-3 Kenpo Karate Club Waianae Branch. He later studied under Professor Sid Asuncion of Ken Ka Bo.
Professor Joseph Kutzen Jr. than studied under Grandmaster “brother” Abe Kamahoaho. In 1975, he joined the American Jujitsu Institute under Professor Francisco Limbago. At that time, he was reunited with Kehau Alapai, a Chief Instructor under Grandmaster Abe Kamahoaho. He than received his Black Belt in 1977.
After 20 years with the American Jujitsu Institute, Professor Kutzen opened his own school in 1996 and took on the name “Kutzen School of Self Defense” which consisted of Kenpo, Karate and Kodenkan Jujitsu. Professor Joseph Kutzen Jr. moved to Las Vegas, Nevada and opened another branch of the Kutzen School of Self Defense. Professor Brian Look directed the Hawaii branch. Professor Joseph Kutzen Jr. is one of the co-founders of the Hawaii Kenpo Jujitsu Society and served on the Executive Board.
