I want to thank you for the support and donation given to our club during our fundraise this year. We used most of the fund raised for sending Team Hawaii to Pacific Northwest Kendo Federation Tournament in Kent, Washington on November 5th where Team Hawaii captured the championship out of 21 teams entered. Seth Harris Sensei took 1st place and Wesley Fujimoto Sensei was 3rd in 4 Dan and above division. Kevin Chun came in 3rd in 3 Dan division. I was very proud of their accomplishment. Let us do it again next year. You can plan to join Team Hawaii next year.

 

Congratulations to Miss Wakako Inoue who visited our club on April 20th for passing 6 Dan examination in Nagoya on November 13th. Her father, Inoue Kazuyoshi Sensei told me to give her keiko but after keiko with her, I felt like she was the one gave me keiko.

 

Hayashi Hiromichi Sensei, a frequent visiting sensei from Japan, had passed 8 Dan examination in Tokyo on November 22nd. We were so happy for his achievement. I requested him to come and teach us soon again in Hawaii. Congratulations.

 

Hawaii Kendo Federation 1 Kyu and Dan examination is on Sunday, December 4th. From our dojo, Dr. Marvin Acklin will take 4 Dan. Good luck to him and other applicants who practiced hard for the examination.

 

Our club’s yearend party will be held on Wednesday, December 7th. We will start practice earlier at 6:30PM and end at 7:30PM, then have a potluck party. Invite your family members and friends. If you have not been showing up for practices, do not be bashful. It is important for you to maintain connection with kendo friends and activities.

 

FIK American Zone Referee Seminar will be held in Chicago on January 21st and 22nd. The application deadline is December 12th. Contact President Nekomoto if you want to participate and learn.

 

Steveston Kendo Club sponsored tournament is on Saturday, February 11th in Richmond, B.C., Canada. I am trying to form Team Hawaii. Let me know if you want to join Team Hawaii.

 

Our club will practice all year around including December 28th and January 4th.

 

Recently our club member Jessica Sneed passed Bar examination to become a lawyer. She accomplished this without stopping kendo practices. In fact she came in early and cleaned the dojo while listening to audio educational materials. I said to myself, “If I studied like her, I would have been a much better person than I am now.” You can accomplish things without stopping kendo practice. Congratulations, Jessica, thank you for being a good example.