Team Hawaii lost in very close matches in semi-finals and ended in 3rd in Pacific Northwest Kendo Federation Tournament in Kent, Washington on Saturday, November 2nd. Koyo Yancey became Champion in 3 Dan division. Kevin Chun and Zidi Hiromoto were 3rd respectively in 4 Dan above and Women’s Dan division. Congratulations to them. We were geared up to next year one on Saturday, November 7th. Mark your calendar, save money and vacation time for it.

 

Our Club members, Malina Buntin and Mamoru Matsusaka-Brewer passed 1 Kyu in Hawaii Kendo Federation 1 Kyu and Dan examination on November 17th. Other members who also passed were Shoshi Hashimoto for 3 Dan, and David Sato and Kojun Hashimoto for 5 Dan. Congratulations. Aim and practice for next levels with fellow kenshis’ and sensei’s help.

 

Aiea Taiheiji Kendo Club was kind enough to sponsor their tournament on Sunday, November 24th at Halawa District Park Gym. Our club member, Noa Mulder, came in 3rd in 12-14 years old division and Megan Kirk was 3rd in Women’s Open Division. Team in which David Sato was the captain was very close 2nd. I was surprised to see Ray Murao Sensei came from Canada to assist shinpan duty. It was a great honor to have him there. Murao Sensei and Late Arnold Fukutomi Sensei were good friends for many years. We were very lucky and happy to have Maruyama Kendo Supply come to answer to our kendo equipment needs there.

 

Our Club will have Year-end Party on Wednesday, December 4th. We will start earlier at 630PM and end practice at 730PM, then have a pot-luck party. Club will furnish utensils and some drinks. Bring your family and friends with you. If you have not shown up for practices for a while, do not be bashful. Come and renew friendships. Keeping Kendo in your mind is very important even when you do not have time to come and practice often.

 

There is no Kaimuki Honbu Dojo Practice on Sunday, Dec. 8th. Gym is not available for us.

 

We will not have our Wednesday practices on Christmas Day and New Year Day.

 

International Kendo Federation (FIK) American Zone Referee Seminar will be held on January 25th and 26th in Vancouver, Canada next year.

 

We are preparing to create Team Hawaii for Steveston Tournament on Saturday, February 8th, 2020. Team Hawaii was Champion this year after almost 30 years intervals. We want to have a good result again. Contact Cynthia Fukutomi Sensei, Garrett Matsumoto Sensei or me if you want to go and participate. Some add Winter vacation after the tournament.

 

We have some people with big disability and others with milder ones taking up with kendo. They give others especially with abled bodies like me great inspiration, as such, “That kind disabled person is doing it, why can’t I do better?” We in Hawaii cannot make living out of doing kendo. In Japan, if you are very good, you can be a kendo instructor in Police Academy or a professor in University where kendo is in Physical Education Department to receive life supporting income. We do kendo to maintain physical and mental health and enjoy our lives with kendo friends. I think that I am one of good examples as far as keeping decent health and being surrounded by wonderful kendo friends. 

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