Bill Ryusaki was born in Kamuela, the charming town on the big island of Hawaii, where he was surrounded by a large family with a rich martial arts heritage. He was one of ten siblings, many of whom, along with his father, were skilled martial arts masters. Bill's early life was marked by a strong foundation in martial arts, as he began training in two types of karate at the tender age of 8, later adding Kenpo Karate to his repertoire. His esteemed teachers included William Chow, Bill Chun Sr., and Marino Tiwanak.
As Bill Ryusaki transitioned to mainland US in the late 1950s, after completing his college education, he continued to hone his skills under the guidance of renowned instructors Ed Parker, Ed Tabian, and John Leoning, the first Kajukenbo instructor on the mainland, in 1957. Kajukenbo, a unique martial art from Hawaii, combines the disciplines of Karate, Judo, Jujitsu, Kenpo Karate, and Chinese Boxing. In 1961, Bill Ryusaki achieved the prestigious rank of black belt in Kajukenbo/Kenpo, and went on to develop his own distinct Karate system, Hawaiian Kenpo Karate, which incorporated elements from Kenpo and Judo.
Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, fighters trained by Bill Ryusaki garnered numerous top prizes, including Sensei Dan Guzman, Sensei Otto Schumann, Benny "The Jet" Urquidez, and Cecil Peoples.
In August 1998, Bill M. Ryusaki received recognition for his Karate skills at the prestigious "Masters of the Martial Arts" awards ceremony, hosted by Wesley Snipes in New York City, which was broadcast on television and featured the world's most renowned martial artists.
Beyond his martial arts accomplishments, Bill Ryusaki has also had a successful career as an actor and stuntman, appearing in numerous films and TV series. His daughter, Kimberly L. Ryusaki, is also an actress and stuntwoman, and has appeared in various films, including two of the Star Trek movies.
