does lima lama differ a lot from kenpo or american kenpo?

I do not train in Lima Lama or Ed Parker's American Kenpo. I train in Kajukenbo. While Kajukenbo and Ed Parker's American Kenpo have the same Hawaiian roots, it looks different even though there are similarities.

The story of Lima Lama is that about 5 instructors who were born in Hawaii but living in the United States wanted to create a uniquely Hawaiian martial art. Some of the instructors were trained in Kajukenbo, others were trained in Ed Parker's American Kenpo. When I watch videos of Lima Lama being demonstrated it sort of looks like a combination of Kajukenbo and Ed Parker's American Kenpo with other Hawaiian influences added.

As for the brutal techniques, I cannot really answer which system is more brutal of the three because I only train in Kajukenbo. Kajukenbo is relatively brutal. In fact, the techniques are so painful that most people drop out within a few weeks. There a lots of people trying out our classes, but about less than a dozen stay training year after year. Brutal techniques are fun to do on your training partner, but when it is his turn to do the techniques on you, it can be most unpleasant. But we are used to it and we accept it. Lets say that all three arts can be brutal, it's just a matter of degree.

So, check out the Lima Lama, Ed Parker's American Kenpo, or Kajukenbo schools in your area, and you will decide what is more suited for your self-defense needs. Whatever you choose, you are training in a Hawaiian martial art.