It is one of the more innovative systems of the Martial Arts practiced primarily in Hawaii and the Americas. Ken means fist and Po means law thus, Kenpo means Fist law in Chinese characters.

Using a number of hand techniques, Shaolin Kempo places an emphasis on kung-fu types of hand movements. Although the system has closed fists (such as the straight punch and the backfist common to karate, kick-boxing and kung-fu), it leans heavily toward strikes imitating the animal forms in kung-fu. Shaolin Kempo contains techniques based on the tiger, leopard, snake, crane and dragon styles found in Kung-fu. Unlike those strikes found in karate, the hand strikes in Shaolin Kempo are more circular than linear allowing form simultaneous blocking and attacking.

In Shaolin Kempo, a variety of sweeps and leg blocks are used. The sweeps include the low, 360-degree circle and the short, kick-like sweep--both are used to knock an opponent off balance. The leg blocks are also performed in conjunction with quick hand movements. The foot techniques resemble those used in kung-fu. A straight front kick is frequently used, often in the form of a kick to the opponent's groin. Side kicks are popular, not to the head which would compromise balance, but lower, directed more at the body and legs. The roundhouse and spinning back kick are also used.