Hal Faulkner

Professor/Black Belt
Filipino Kali
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

January 2018

Our founder, a man who has dedicated his life to learning and sharing martial arts at the highest level – Hal Faulkner – is The Godfather of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Jeet Kun Do, Kali Escrima, Muay Thai and so much more in Humboldt County.

We are forever in awe and appreciation of his skills and dedication to all of his students, past and present. It is with gratitude and some sadness for all of us and happiness for him that we announce that he has removed himself from the daily class schedule to have more time with family and friends.

Time and energy willing, you can look for possible seminars or private lessons from him in the future and know that his students and those of us at HJJ will continue his legacy while trying to the upmost best we can to honor his emphasis of Self Defense and street combat readiness.

Hal Faulkner started his martial arts training in 1964. He began his training in Philadelphia learning Shotokan Karate and Southern Praying Mantis Kung Fu under Master Gin Foon Mark. In 1975, Hal was introduced to the art of Jeet Kune Do by Larry Hartsell, one of Bruce Lee’s top students. In 1976, Hal relocated to Southern California to begin training at the Filipino Kali and Kickboxing Academy under the tutelage of Dan Inosanto and Richard Bustillo. In 1984, his drive to learn more brought him to Rorion, Rickson and Royce Gracie and he began to study Gracie Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Hal has appeared in: “Jun Fan/Jeet Kune Do”, “Enter and Trapping”, “Grappling”, “Absorb What is Useful”, “A Jeet Kune Do Guide”, as well as numerous other martial art magazines through the years.

It has been an absolute awe-inspiring honor to train and learn with this great man, forever grateful, thank you Hal Faulkner!