Kona Peace Day set for Sept. 21
Kona Peace Day set for Sept. 21
Mahatma Gandhi said, “I believe that if one person gains spiritually, the whole world gains with him.”
In conjunction with the annual United Nations International Day of Peace on Friday, Sept. 21, the Pacific Rim Education Foundation is organizing an inaugural Kona Peace Day with a list of suggested personal activities and free public events to help “nurture a culture and community of peace in Kona.”
“Like its worldwide counterpart, Kona Peace Day provides one day for people around the world to focus their attention on the idea of peace and to undertake actions in their own lives that promote that ideal,” said Farley Jones, director of the foundation. “We hope folks in Kona will not only do their own thing to promote peace, but also come to Kona Peace Day activities and inspire others by sharing their actions.”
The first all-day Kona Peace Day will begin at noon that day with “A Minute of Silence, A Moment of Peace.”
The action is part of a worldwide wave of persons spending one minute of silence at noon in each time zone. Also, Jones says a number of Kona houses of worship will ring their bells at noon.
The Pacific Rim Education Foundation — a Hawaii-based nonprofit organization that supports education and activities that nurture love, wisdom and peace — suggests that Peace Day participants undertake a small act of “Service for Peace” for someone in their immediate environment — whether a family member, co-worker or stranger.
“For those who have their own spiritual practice, consider dedicating your practice on this day to the healing and reconciliation envisioned by Peace Day,” Jones said.
Kona Peace Day free public events include a 5 p.m. Yoga for Peace class led by Marya Mann on the oceanfront lawn at Courtyard King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel. Participants should bring their own mat or towel.
A Gather for Peace potluck dinner and discussion is at 7 p.m. at the Kona Outdoor Circle, 76-6280 Kuakini Highway in Kailua. Bring a dish to share and enjoy a brief Peace Talk by the Rev. Virginia Barnes of the Aloha Center for Spiritual Living. RSVP to Betsy, 987-6510.
Peace enthusiasts can participate in the 22nd annual Candlelight Peace Walk at 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 23. It steps off from the lawn at Huggo’s restaurant and proceeds to Kailua Pier.
Peace Day participants are encouraged to share their Peace Day efforts on Facebook at Prefpeace Pacific Rim Education Foundation.
“Peace Day offers the chance to build in Kona a microcosmic culture and community of peace based on small actions by many people,” said Jones. “Consider yourself as one who brings peace. We each have a role to play!”
For information, visit www.prefpeace.org or email PrefPeace@gmail.com.
PREF sponsors educational programs, funds charitable activities and supports practices that nurture love, wisdom and peace within individuals and families, which promote understanding and connectedness among communities, and which foster wise care for the Earth.
The foundation is funded by the Hawaiian Queen Coffee Co. (HQC); the Unification Church, founded by the late Rev. Sun Myung Moon, and by individual donors.