05/27/2026
Great Grandmaster Dr. Daniel Kalimaahaae Kane Pa’i
April 04, 1930 – May 28, 1993
Great Grandmaster - Pai Lum Tao Chinese Hawaiian Martial & Healing Arts
10th Level Pai Te Lung Chuan Kung Fu
Senior Master Level - Bok Leen Pai Kenpo
Senior Master Level – Hawaiian Kempo / Lua
Senior Master Level – Pai Yung Tai Chi Chuan
Senior Master Level – Chin Kon Pai Meditation
Master Level – Quan Nien Chi Kung
Master Level – Kodokan Judo
Master Level – Shuai jiao
5th Level Okinawan Kempo
Daniel Kane Pai was born April 4, 1930 in Kameulai Hawaii to Chinese and Hawaiian parents.
In 1950, Dr. Daniel Kalimaahaae Kane Pa’i brought his family system of martial arts to the United States mainland from Hawaii. Over the next decade he would continue to develop an art that he trained in since childhood. Thus, modern Pai Lum Tao ‘Way of the white forest’ was founded by Dr. Daniel Kalimaahaae Kane Pa’i, the first SiJo / SiTaiGung.
The influences of the Pai family style of Pai Lung Chuan ‘White Dragon Fist’, Lau Gar, Hop Gar, Shao Lin Iron Palm, Hawaiian Kenpo, Hawaiian Lua, Old style Chinese/Ryukyu Kenpo, Judo and Shuai jiao would be masterly blended by Dr. Pai. His ancestry of Chinese and Hawaiian blood contributed to his ideas of method and application of the arts.
With a reputation as a brutal fighter and defendant of the old traditional ways, his presence quickly threatened and offended other martial artists. He learned to tame the tiger within his spirit to mingle with and “play nice” with other martial artists in the states. Many martial artist attempted to master ‘The way of the White Dragon Fist’ but would fall short of there goal. Just as it was in the early years, it is still happening today.
Dr. Pai deemed that he must teach a peaceful approach to the arts. He strived to assemble a more peaceful martial arts society and eventually world. “There is no other way than to cultivate as many people as possible to feel compassion, courage, and develop a strong sense of justice.” At the core of it all must be ‘HONOR’.
He aimed to build people in mind, body and spirit for the betterment of society.
His ideal image of humanity in the arts was that students would live with faith in their own potential. They must recognize their strengths and weaknesses and adjust accordingly.
Dr. Pa’i lived the last seventeen years of his life in Florida and passed away in 1993 in the Dominican Republic. Per his request he was laid to rest in his beloved Hawaii. During his sixty-three-year journey on earth he built a martial arts legacy throughout North America leaving only a few seniors ‘heads of family’, a few Sigung's and several Sifu's to carry on the teachings of the 'Pai Lung Tao - Way of the White Dragon'.
A truly controversial figure, Daniel Kane Pai did it his way, from the tough streets of Hawaii to forming the largest Kung Fu system in North America during the 60's and 70's. He would be appointed President of the International Kuoshu Association for the western hemisphere by Taiwan. He was the 1st director of Chinese Arts for the USKA. There was no doubt about his command and leadership of Martial Arts in North America.
His life reflected many diversities. He was a teacher of martial arts, a graduate of the Chicago Medical College "Ph.D.", a bodyguard, stunt coordinator, cowboy at the Parker Ranch in Hawaii and celebrated Philosopher of the Asian arts. In the seventies, Dr. Pai formed the U.S. White Dragon Martial Arts Society in hopes of standardizing his vast knowledge of martial arts. The students of the sixties and seventies who weathered Pai's rigorous and at times fierce/brutal training became known as the "Old School" lineage. Many people trained at seminars, camps and events, but very few would make the grade of - direct 1st generation student of ‘The Teacher/Pioneer/Legend.
In 1990 Dr. Pai and 1st generation disciple Glenn Wilson began work on forming a structured organization to unite the different factions of Pai Lum martial arts, to standardize the curriculum and to legitimize rank. Today this organization is the 'White Dragon Warrior Society'. The Society is 'chaired' by Grand Master Glenn C. Wilson and is dedicated to keeping the dreams of Great Grand Master Dr. Daniel Kalimaahaae Kane Pai alive. Dr. Pai was a true pioneer of Martial Arts in America, a true-life innovator of modern arts and one of the rare legends in his own time! Many martial artists were influenced by him, several trained in seminars, clinics, demonstrations with him, but few were blessed to call him their direct teacher. That’s right, very few were disciples of the knowledge and ‘1st generation student of SiJo – Great Grandmaster Dr. Daniel Kalimaahaae Kane Pai. Dr. Pai passed on priceless knowledge to a few who earned the right to be called Professor of the arts of PAI LUM TAO / PAI LUNG TAO! We salute him for his contributions to modern Asian martial arts.
"If you were influenced by my teacher/father/mentor, please celebrate his life on May 28th. Thank you and blessings.
Grandmaster Glenn - Pai Lum/Lung Tao
