Sensei Honjiyo, 5-dan (USJF/ KDK) of Hanapepe Judo Club passed on on Feb 3, 2012. Sensei Honjiyo was a long time member of the USJF and Hawaii YDK and probably the only established genuine Judo club on the island of Kauai.
Services will be on Saturday February 18, 2012 beginning with the viewing at 11:30am. at Kauai Veterans Cemetary.
Sensei Honjiyo has a long distinguished career in the Army serving in Korea and two tours in Vietnam. Judo was with him along the way from Ft Benning, GA, to Korea, and in combat in Vietnam. While serving in the Army, he received the Combat Infantry Badge, Silver Star Medal, and 5 Bonze Star Medals. Sensei Honjiyo eventually retired as a Lt. Colonel and went on to lead Hanapepe Judo Club since 1979.
Sensei Honjiyo is also credited as the founder of the Idaho State University Judo Club (circa 1967)
Sensei Honjiyo will be missed as an honorable military personnel who served his country through a long career, and among the USJF he will be remembered as a man who maintained his status as a true lifelong judoka.