For those who are interested in interfaith celebrations of peace:
Sept. 21 marks the fifth anniversary of Peace Day in Hawai‘i. In honor of that occasion, the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii, The Interfaith Alliance of Hawaii, the Pacific Buddhist Academy and Honpa Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin are sponsoring “Peace Day 2011: A Call for Peace.”
The event, which also commemorates the 10th anniversary of 9/11, will feature a varied entertainment program, including a Hawaiian oli by kumu hula Lehua Matsuoka, a Buddhist chant by reverend Toshiyuki Umitani, a taiko performance, and the sounding of the Bell of Peace.
In addition, representatives of various faiths will offer their reflections on peace and harmony. Pastor Kyle Ann Lovett of the Church of the Crossroads, Pacific Buddhist Academy chaplain Bert Sumikawa, Paul Gracie of the Religious Society of Friends, and Tricia Nakamura from the Japanese American Citizens League are all scheduled to speak.
“Peace Day 2011” runs from 7 to 8 p.m. on Sept. 21 at the Honpa Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin, located at 1727 Pali Highway. For more information please contact the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii at 522-9200.