The Kenpo style is distinct in its emphasis on upper body strength; the trained Kenpo practitioner can disable an opponent with a block as well as a strike. The Next Generation Martial Arts dojo places an emphasis on building physical strength and stamina in addition to learning proper technique. The exact origins of Karate are unknown, primarily because the art was kept a secret from outsiders for a long time. Karate originated in a small country south of Japan, known today as Okinawa. Formerly known as the Kingdom of the Ryukyus, the land was split into three warring kingdoms. After unification under Sho Hashi (1372 - 1439), a strict edict prohibiting weapons of all kinds was issued. However, the weapons ban did not ensure lasting peace. Historians generally agree that Karate originated because the Ryukyus were forced to develop a means of unarmed self-defense. Karate means "empty hand."

The origin and meaning of the term "Kenpo" can be quite confusing. While the style originated in China, it was passed down through the Mitose, a Japanese family who studied Kenpo in China in the 1600's. When the Mitose returned to Japan, they described their family martial art system in the Japanese language. After several evolutions, the term Kenpo was developed: (Ken (fist) Po (law). In Chinese, the term is Ch'uan (fist) Fa (law). The Japanese written characters for "fist law" are pronounced either Kenpo or Kempo. "Kenpo" indicates the original Chinese origin, while "Kempo" indicates the incorporation into the Japanese culture.

Kenpo picked up its Hawaiin influences when James Mitose moved from Japan to Hawaii, and established the spelling of "KeNpo." Today, Kenpo reflects the original Chinese martial art passed down through the generations for hundreds of years. The art has continued to evolve as it was introduced in the United States.