United Nations Peace Day in Hawaii

HONOLULU - Sept. 18, 2014 - PRLog -- In 2007,Governor Linda Lingle signed House Bill 345 into law as Act 23, declaring  “September 21^st of each year shall be known and recognized as “Peace Day” to promote peace programs, improve international relations, and increase educational awareness of peace.”   Hawaii became the first state in the United States to join more than 200 countries in celebrating the United Nations International Day of Peace and Non-Violence.

In establishing “Peace Day Hawaii”, state legislators united in asking the people of Hawai’i, as the United Nations General Assembly asked the peoples of the world, to devote a specific time to concentrate their efforts throughout the Hawaiian Islands in promoting the ideals and practices of peace in all viable ways to strengthen and sustain peace within oneself, in relation with others, in sustaining the environment, in honor of spiritual diversity of all people and commitment to global unity.

This year the theme is “Creating Cultures of Peace through Art” in support of educational awareness of how engaging in artistic activities and cultivating artistic expression nurtures the spirit of peace from within.

The event will celebrate non-violence as we join together and learn with each other and experience the enjoyment of beauty in nature and express appreciation of the cultural value of arts education around the world.

We invite you this year to join us this year in for Peace Day Hawai’i 2014 Art in the Gardens at the Urban Garden Center in Pearl City on Sunday, September 21, 2014 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Community groups and volunteers will share the spirit of Aloha and celebrate peace through musical performances, dance and movement and interactive activities and workshops for all ages. Take time to enjoy the garden as a place for artistic creation and help support the building of the Peace Garden Pathway.

Learn more about the history and background of the Peace Day annual celebration and many different types of gardens in the classroom.  Also, see what’s available to the public at the Urban Garden Center weekend and special workshops on gardening.  Arrange a partnership with UGC faculty and staff volunteers to create gardens at your school and infuse peace and environmental education across the curriculum.

A Peace Day Hawaii ceremony and celebration honoring the 2014 Distinguished Peacemakers of the Year, Roy Sakuma and Kathy Sakuma will be held from 11 am-12 noon.

Each year, Peace Day provides a moment for people around the globe to join in and celebrate the power of individuals to change the world.

Peace Day embraces all peacemakers who strive in their respective fields each and every day to create a peaceful world.

Peace Day recognizes the fact that by making peace in our home, schools and communities each and every single one of us can make a difference.

Sharing in the spirit of peaceful friendship and harmonious unity with our family and friends and our Ohana on Sunday, September 21 will bring us all a step closer to a lasting peace.

Peace Day Hawaii celebrates devoted peacemakers in our local community with the Distinguished Peacemaker Award. The following recipients have made peace education a central focus in their lives:

2007 Congressman Spark Matsunaga

2008 Dr. Glenn Paige

2009 Scott Matayoshi

2010 Miles Okumura

2011 Dr. Ha’aheo Guanson

2012 Gigi Coqui

2013 Kumu Ramsay Taum

This year, for the first time, there are two recipients, Roy Sakuma and Kathy Sakuma.

Roy Sakuma and Kathy Sakuma have dedicated their lives to peace education by teaching and perpetuating the Aloha spirit through the art form of the ukulele.

As musical educators, they have both taught countless children, adults and seniors, discipline, artistry and a respect for both their own lives and others.

For over 44 years, they have brought people of all ages from around the world to celebrate laughter, love and hope at the annual Ukulele Festival in Kapiolani Park.

Since the 1970’s, this festival has become a symbol of peace and harmony in bringing people of all ages and background  from around the world who love to share the Ukulele together. Keiki and Kupuna gather side by side  and play together on the third Sunday of every July .

Kathy works behind-the-scenes for the logistics of the annual Ukulele Festival—from coordinating the timeline, vendors, the guest artists and groups, the volunteers, to designing commemorative t-shirts and posters for scholarship and fundraising, every single detail is checked and double-checked to ensure the comfort, safety and smooth flow of every participant in the event.

Roy volunteers his time as a speaker to encourage school age children to take a stand against bullying.  He also opens his heart during their talks with the message of suicide prevention and shares from his own personal struggles as a youth. He inspires and enriches the lives of children throughout our community.

Both Roy and Kathy have traveled to Fukushima, Japan and to areas affected by the 2011 Tsunami and Earthquake.  They brought gifts of ukuleles and a message of hope and encouraged both children and their families.

For their spirited commitment to peace education as music teachers and community peace builders, for the inspiration and encouragement they have shared with countless students, since the 1970’s who have gone on to inspire and work for peace in their own fields, Peace Day Hawaii proudly congratulates Roy and Kathy Sakuma for sharing their Aloha spirit and for touching hearts through the instrument of peace, the ukulele.

Peace Day Hawaii, Sunday, September 21 at the Urban Garden Center in Pearl City.

Free and open to the public, gardens open from 10am-2pm, ceremony program 11:00 am-12:30pm.

Contact: Peace Day Hawaii 2014 Planning Committee: 808-259-1361

http://www.peacegardenhawaii.com