On Aug. 24, the Hilo Seishikan Aikido Ohana collected donations and did the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge in memory of Sensei Roy Yonemori.
On Aug. 24, the Hilo Seishikan Aikido Ohana collected donations and did the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge in memory of Sensei Roy Yonemori.
Yonemori was the founder and first chief instructor of Hilo Seishikan Aikido. He passed away May 7 from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). He was a long time aikido instructor in Hilo, a member of the Big Island Sports Hall of Fame and a Japanese Community Association “Cultural Treasure.”
He also is remembered by many as a long-time social studies teacher in the Hilo-area schools.
A Seishikan spokesperson said the event was hosted to raise awareness about ALS and remember Yonemori for his invaluable contributions to aikido and the Big Island community.
Coordinators report the event was special, and a big success, because everyone from preschool-age youngsters to their grandparents participated.
There were 50 people, including 11 black belts, who all volunteered to get wet. Also, many others made donations or came out to remember Yonemori Sensei and support the event.
Seishikan volunteers collected donations and passed out leaflets about ALS. Hilo Seishikan Aikido will be making a group donation to the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Association in memory of the revered sensei.
Hilo Seishikan Aikido challenges all martial arts organizations — aikido clubs, fellow users of the Waiakea Recreation Center and Shudokan Judo Club — to make a donation to ALS and to participate in the ice bucket challenge.
Video of the event can been seen at: http://youtube/LUc9LXvQmQQ.