Kauaʻi to celebrate Peace Day with events in Hanapēpē this afternoon

Activities will celebrate Peace Day during an event at Kauaʻi Soto Zen Temple in Hanapēpē beginning at 3 p.m. today.

This year’s Peace Day will honor Kauaʻi native Sen. Spark Matsunaga, a peace advocate and activist, who was part of the legislation that established the United States Institute of Peace in Washington D.C. in 1984.

Matsunaga argued for a cabinet level Department of Peace position, which matched his life’s work is to resolve conflicts through peaceful resolution, without resorting to war.

The Peace Day event will begin at 3:40 p.m. with a Peace Walk from Sparky’s Garden to the World Peace Statue at the Kauaʻi Soto Zen Temple. Simultaneously peace activities, displays and exhibits will open at the Temple and peace walkers will be greeted as they arrive.

A special guest speaker, Red Grammer, will speak to attendees at 4:10 p.m. before the potluck featuring international food begins. Four main dishes will be available and the public is invited to bring salads or desserts.

The peace program will follow from 4:50 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and will follow this schedule:

• 4:50 p.m. – Opening performance by Taiko Kauaʻi;
• 5:10 p.m. – Oli, song and hula from Kumu Puni and Troy Waialeale;
• 5:15 p.m. – Guest speaker Chucky Boy Chock, Executive Director, “Kauai’s Legacy of Peace”;
• 5:30 p.m. – Song and hula of peace and goodwill, “E Hoʻomaluhia Kakou” by Na Wahine o Waimaka and the Kupuna Klub with Troy Waialeale;
• 5:40 pm – Performance by Bailes de Jose & Paraluman Dancers, directed by Steven Domingo, Alan Villaflor;
• 5:50 p.m. – Performance by Sing Out Kauaʻi, directed by Randy Leonard;
• 6:00 p.m. – Performance by Karen Dickenson with Alan Van Zee;
• 6:15 p.m. – Fire Burning Ceremony of Paper Cranes, led by Liz Hahn, Rev. Walt Weiss, Rev. Kohtoku Hirao.

A night viewing of the Peace Statue will close the evening from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. For more information, visit the Kauaʻi Soto Zen Temple website or Facebook page.