For 35 years, husband and wife team Sharon Gilbert and Bill Stockton have brought a defensive form of martial arts free of charge to Kona residents.
Gilbert, who is proprietor of Lehua Jewelers in Waimea, has been a practitioner of the arts for 50 years, and along with her husband, local contractor Stockton, have been providing local keiki and adults with Aikido instruction in West Hawaii hoping to promote the defensive martial arts techniques to the West Hawaii community.
Aiki Kai O Kona is a program within the Hawaii County Parks and Recreation Division.
The free program is open for keiki six years old through kupuna and offers instruction for self defense.
Gilbert started practicing 50 years ago in Oahu and has reached the coveted achievement of 6th Dan black belt.
Aikido is a defensive, non competitive form of martial arts that is centered in self discipline.
Aikido is now practiced in around 140 countries. It was originally developed by Morihei Ueshiba, as a synthesis of his martial studies, philosophy and religious beliefs. Ueshiba’s goal was to create an art that practitioners could use to defend themselves while also protecting their attackers from injury.
Gilbert, along with Stockton, have long been passionate about teaching Kona about the attributes of the martial arts.
Back in the 1970’s Gilbert and Stockton were hooked on the principals of Aikido and have followed them their entire life.
They met in Oahu, eventually married, and moved to the Big Island in 1980.
In 1988, they started their first dojo at the now defunct WMCA . They stayed with that organization for many years until the Kona YMCA no longer had a presence in Kona. Eventually they were able to negotiate a deal with the Hawaii County Division of Parks and Recreation.
“For 35 years we have volunteered our services to the community,” said Gibert.
Since 1998, the duo has provided instruction to our community, free of charge, when other martial arts instructors of various disciplines have charged
The club, Aiki Kai O Kona, is holding their 35th anniversary June 2-3 featuring special guest, high ranking sensei Kuribayashi Takanori, shinan from Tokyo. They are encouraging all Big Island residents who have ever studied Aikido to join them for celebration and two days of instruction and fellowship. Visit aikikaiokona.wixsite.com/aiki for more information. Former members of the dojo are encouraged to volunteer for this momentous occasion.
Aki Kai O Kona is also encouraging youth from the west side of the island to join the free classes at Hale Halawai from 6-7 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays.
“Six is a good age to start them in the class. It teaches discipline, etiquette and coordination” said Gilbert.
“It is good for motor control and how their bodies work” added Stockton.
“As they advance in age, the self defense aspect comes into play,” said Gilbert.
During COVID, they still were able to able to hold classes using protocols having outdoor classes.
“We followed all the protocols the county put out,” said Gilbert. “we still practiced non contact, mask covered routines.”
After COVID, the keiki classes diminished, however, Gilbert and Stockton are hopeful Kona youth will be interested in this free self defense class.
“Aikido has given me so much in physical and mental well being,” said Gilbert. “I want to share that with our community.”