MidWeek Leeward - Nov 16, 2022

MEANINGFUL MURALS
Murals are painted on pillars in Waimalu to help spread a positive message. SEE PAGE 8
DARLING DOGGO
See what this ‘Aiea beagle/terrier loves to do in his free time. SEE PAGE 11
Kendo Tournament Takes Place In ‘Aiea
FOR THE WEEK OF NOVEMBER 16, 2022
A PUBLICATION OF
AN EDITION OF
COMMEMORATING 5 YEARS
Pali Momi Medical Center chaplain Nathan Kohashi leads a blessing in honor of the fifth anniversary of the Dr. James T. Kakuda Cancer Center. See more on page 6. LAWRENCE TABUDLO PHOTO
TBY KYLE GALDEIRA
he tradition and rich history of kendo is passed down from teacher to student and traces its roots back a thousand
years to the samurai warriors of premodern Japan.
Tusha Buntin started practicing the modern Japanese martial art of kendo at the age of 12 in Fukuoka, Japan, where he studied the art for four years. Upon returning to Hawai‘i, he became a member of the Hawai‘i Kendo Fed- eration in 1982 and has been involved with the practice for the past four decades.
“Kendo has been an integral part of my education in Japanese culture and language,” says Buntin, a seventh Dan Kyoshi (seventh rank of black belt and second level teacher’s status), who serves as a member of the Ha- wai‘i Kendo Federation board of directors and heads the organization’s education committee.
“Our tradition is based on the use and prin- ciples of the Japanese katana (sword),” he adds. “Hawai‘i Kendo Federation is one of the oldest federations to practice and teach kendo after World War II — even when compared
SEE PAGE 4