Suenaka sensei studied under O-Sensei the founder of Aikido from 1961 until O-Senei's death in 1969.Suenaka Sensei then studied under Tohei Sensei who was O-Sensei's head instructor at hombu. Tohei Sensei dissociated with Hombu and started the Ki Society, Suenaka Sensei stayed with Tohei Sensei until 1975 when he resigned from the Ki Society and started his own organization,and today is known as Suenaka Ha Aikido. Shihan Ron Grandville studied under Suenaka Sensei in Okanowa Japan while in the Air Force.  Shihan Ron Gandville recieved a rank of 6th Dan under Suenaka Sensei,he was then reassigned to Riverside Ca. at March Air Force were he continued to teach,do to geographic location he was unable to continue with Suenaka Sensei and started his own Organisation called Dojin Akikai.

Sensei Mike Smith began his Martial Arts career in 1971 studying Shorin Ryu Karate and achieved the level of 4th Dan, he took up Aikido in 1978 At March Air Force Base  and reached the level of 5th Dan,Sensei Smith is also a 2nd Dan in Iaido.

Sensei Gary Salquist began his study of Aikido  under Sensei Mike Smith and has reached a rank of 3rd Dan.

    He  became head instructor in 2006, Sensei Gary Salquist  has over 3,000 hours of Aikido training and over 20 years in Boxing training , his training in boxing gives him a realistic approach in dealing with an opponent who keeps a well balanced position when striking, as a result of his training Sensei Salquist knows how difficult  it can be dealing  with a well balanced attacker and puts a premium on taking the balance away from the aggressor which then allows a technique to be executed  with minimal effort.       

    Sensei Roy Suenaka