Moving To
The USA

Indonesia in the mid-1900’s was a very difficult place for Chinese. As a result, Tai Shī Fù Tonny Kho, with his family’s backing, in 1968, moved to the U.S. to attend college and further his education. In an effort to continue his practice, Tai Shī Fù made arrangements to train at a local martial arts school. The owner of the school quickly realized that Tai Shī Fù’s skills were exemplary and asked Tai Shī Fù to teach a class. Tai Shī Fù quickly realized that he would be expected to “commercialize” the training in an effort to attract more and more students so decided to leave the martial arts school and open a Wŭ Guăn (武館) of his own. However, before beginning to teach and out of the great respect he held for his Teacher, Zōng Shī Wú Shén Xĭ, Tai Shī Fù flew back to Indonesia to his home town to ask permission to pass his knowledge on to non-Chinese students. The year was 1973, a time when many of the old time Teachers still believed in the adage, “Chinese martial arts are for Chinese eyes only” as the arts were a critical means for the Chinese to defend themselves against outsiders. At first, Zōng Shī refused but after lengthy conversations between Tai Shī Fù, Tai Shī Fù’s family, Zōng Shī, and other senior students, Zōng Shī was persuaded that the world outside their small, isolated village was changing and conditions in the U.S. were very different. Finally, permission was given but only after Tai Shī Fù agreed to remain in Pekalongan for a month and review everything he had been taught. Upon Tai Shī Fù’s return to the U.S., Shaolin Hung Mei Kung Fu – U.S. was established. The school was highly regarded and was recognized as a permanent Board Member of the Chief Eastern United States Kung Fu Federations and, later, after the CEUSKFF was absorbed into the United Kung Fu Federation of North America, became a permanent Board Member of this newer and larger association.

Shī Fù Solow was first introduced to Tai Shī Fù in 1974. Although he had studied traditional martial arts previously, Shī Fù quickly realized that becoming a student of Tai Shī Fù, would be a rare and unique opportunity so asked to be accepted as a student. After an interview and a trial period, Tai Shī Fù agreed.

Shī Fù Solow studied exclusively and consistently with Tai Shī Fù from 1974 through 1992 at which time he relocated and, with Tai Shī Fù’s approval, established the Colorado branch of Shaolin Hung Mei Kung Fu in 1993. Although then living in different states, Shī Fù Solow continued his training under Tai Shī Fù, visiting often. And, to this day, Shī Fù and Tai Shī Fù communicate on a very regular basis. Tai Shī Fù retired from teaching Kung Fu several years ago and has handed the responsibility of maintaining the honor and integrity of Shaolin Hung Mei Kung Fu as the art is passed on to another generation to Shī Fù Solow.

In 1997, Tai Shī Fù’s son, Shī Fù Rama Kho relocated to Colorado to help Shī Fù Solow grow the Colorado branch of Shaolin Hung Mei Kung Fu. Then, in 1999, another Shī Fù from New York, Shī Fù James Mascarelli joined the other, two Shī Fù.

Read our full history at https://www.shaolinhungmei.org/history-of-hung-mei.php