The  reason I joined aikido, was because,  I have always wanted to learn about this form of 
martial arts. I have heard so much about words like coordination and harmonizing, but the words 
that intrigued me the most was, "There was no attack in Aikido". I have gone through a few years 
of Karate and found it to be too aggressive and brutal with the intent or idea, of seriously
injuring or killing this other person. I also found the non-competitive nature of aikido training 
to my liking.
 
Coming from a law-enforcement background and the three plus years I have taken aikido, I find it to 
be the perfect martial art for handling and controlling people with the right technique who wish to 
harm you. I have also learned to be more relaxed, coordinated, confident and most of all, from what I 
have been told by my fellow aikido students, a "better uke" (partner).
 
I have found my instructor's at the Hawaii Betsuin Aikido Club from the head instructor Gayne Sogi 
Sensei to the other instructors to be very knowledgeable, humble, compassionate and most of all 
from a student stand point be very patient.
 
-Aldon

8-21-05