 In 1961, Ponce was at the forefront of a growing national interest in martial arts when he opened a karate studio in North Hollywood.Ponciano Hernandez was born one of seven children in Maui, Hawaii on April 10, 1933 to Maria and Alberto Hernandez.He attended Honokaa High School in Honokaa, Hawaii, and pursued a career as a welder at Hawaii Vocational School.