CONGRATULATIONS!!

Back in November 2000, Hilo Seishikan Aikido held its first aikido rank testing and some of our members were awarded rank promotions. These promotions will be announced, and ranks presented at our First Practice of 2001 on Saturday morning, January 6, beginning at 7:30 a.m. Our new kyu and dand rank certificates have arrived and are ready for distribution.

We are proud to announce the following aikido rank promotions:

10 C Kyu Kirsten Cannoles, Kyle Cannoles, Reyn Nishioka, Daniel Tavares

10 B Kyu Anson Almeida, Royce Dela Cruz, Catelyn Hakoda, Andrew Yoshimoto, James Yoshimoto

10 A Kyu Kerri Nakatsu

9 B Kyu Jessica Galacgac, Kawehioka`iolani Hanohano, Jonathan Maesato

6 B Kyu Kayla Yugawa, Shawn Yugawa

5 C Kyu Steven Maesato

5 B Kyu Brittany Iyo

5 A Kyu Kristi Masuhara

4 C Kyu Kelsey Iyo

4 A Kyu David Cadaoas, Troy Samura, Roy Takemoto

3 C Kyu Kelsey Fukuda, Robert Kamau, Jr.

3 B Kyu Alysha Cabral, Nelson Nakatsu, Kahealani Napeahi

3 A Kyu Valerie Galacgac

2 C Kyu Keshlyn Kaina

2 B Kyu Lindsey Iyo

1 B Kyu Mindy Furuta, Ana Kapihe, Mychael Singson

3 Dan Glenn Kahana, Robert Kamau, Sr., Dennis Marshall

4 Dan Sadami Yamamoto

5 Dan Stephen Adams

ENDING THE YEAR WITH A BANG!

Hilo Seishikan Aikido closed the year by holding our first Kan Geiko and dojo clean-up. Everyone was encouraged to attend because we felt that this was all a big part of our total training. The Kan Geiko required that we get up early and come down to practice during the cold time of the day. This was an opportunity for us to refocus and rededicate ourselves to training in Seishikan Aikido. Cleaning up the dojo was a good reminder that we should clean-up and keep things in good order. This was also a good reminder for our everyday lives. At any rate, we would like to commend Keshlyn Kaina and the Iyos – Lindsey, Kelsey, and Brittany – for being the only ones other than the black belts to come out and practice both days of Kan Geiko! We would also like to thank all the parents and students who came out to help in the dojo clean-up. The teamwork was just fantastic! We would also like to thank Marshall-sensei and Kahana-sensei for taking charge of the clean-up. Good job guys!

The ending of the year was a busy one. In addition to the Kan Geiko and the clean-up, we also held our first ever “Christmas with Hilo Seishikan Aikido.” The picnic type party was very successful. Lots of food, lots of fun, and prizes. Everyone who came had a good time. We would like to express a big mahalo to all who came and brought food to share! We would also like to thank Walker-sensei, Carrie Yonemori-sensei, Kamau-sensei, and Marshall-sensei for all their effort in putting this event on! Mahalo!

The next time around, we would like to see even more of our members and families getting involved. This is all part of our program, and teaches everyone the importance and value of teamwork, cooperation, and unity. It also helps us to stress the importance of the group.

MAN IN THE GLASS

When you get what you want n your struggle for self,

And the world makes you king for a day,

Just go to a mirror and look at yourself,

And see what the man has to say.

For it isn’t your father or mother or wife,

Whose judgment upon you must pass,

The fellow whose verdict counts most in your life

Is the one staring back from the glass.

He’s the fellow to please, never mind all the rest,

For he’s with you clear up to the end,

And you’ve passed your most dangerous, difficult test,

If the man in the glass is your friend.

You may fool the whole world down the pathway of years,

And get pats on the back as you pass,

But your final reward will be heartaches and tears,

If you’ve cheated the man in the glass.

The above poem blends in beautifully with our club’s name, Seishikan. As we have pointed out before, Seishikan means “the place to develop the will or determination to be honest, truthful, just, and sincere.” As is pointed out in the poem, in the end we need to be honest, truthful, just, and sincere with ourselves. We know ourselves better than anyone else. We may fool others in our daily living, but when it comes to ourselves we know ourselves better than anyone else. We may fool other in our daily living, but when it comes to ourselves we cannot pull the wool over our own eyes! We have to please ourselves. We have to know that we have done the right things and told the truth. We have to know that we have been honest, sincere, just, and compassionate in our dealings with others. Otherwise we can never be happy with ourselves and what we have said and done. Yes, we must be able to face the “man in the mirror.” He is the one guy that none of us can fool. Let’s make sure that the man in the glass is pleased with us and what we have said and done!

HILO SEISHIKAN AIKIDO

O-Shima Ryu

Hilo, Hawai`I

Questions, comments, etc.

Webmaster