7th Annual Parade & Festival for the United Nations International Day of Peace

Honoka‘a, Big Island of Hawaii hosts the premiere Peace Day event in the State of Hawai‘i, and the only event of its kind worldwide, a Parade and Festival demonstrating unity in support of peace, compassion and awareness of interdependence. New this year, parade steps off at 4 p.m. on Saturday, September 21, 2013. Hundreds of participants from over 30 groups will perform or exhibit in a unique parade, described as a “moving stage” of music, dance and entertainment-with-a-message.  The Festival which follows in Honoka‘a Sports Complex will include entertainment and 40+ vendors and exhibitors.  Admission is free and families are encouraged to come and enjoy lots of live music, food booths, crafts, train rides, a “jump and slide,” taiko drums, magic, and a large community bon dance for all to join.

Keep visiting our website for updated information on participating in the parade and the festival.

Student Peace Poster Contest

Students and teachers from around the globe will be urged to express their own interpretation of this year’s Peace Poster Contest theme: “Prepare for Peace.” Cash and other prizes will be awarded for various age divisions, plus “Best of Show.” Click here for Instructions and Entry Forms.

Teachers, please Click Here to provide us with your e-mail address so that we can contact you with details.  Entries must be received by Friday, September 13.

Peace Poster Gallery Display Reception

On Friday, September 13, C&J Woods will host a reception and display of winning and other select Peace Poster Contest entries from previous years, 5-7 p.m.  Light refreshments will be served. Various Mamane Street storefronts will also be exhibiting Peace Poster Contest entries from years past.   Music by the New Dharma Band.  FREE.

Day of Mindfulness

“Mindfulness for Peace in Your Daily Life,” Sunday, September 15, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the beautiful old Hamakua Jodo Mission in Pa‘auhau Mauka.  Panelists/Meditation Leaders representing a group of different disciplines will present their approach to meditation and discuss the role of mindfulness in their own lives and the lives of those they teach, then lead brief practice sessions for participants.  A mindful meal of delicious vegetarian food is included in the workshop fee of $25 per person.  In order for us to provide accurate and adequate arrangements, please register by Friday, September 13. 

Returning for its second year, Day of Mindfulness will share the teachings of meditation leaders Reverend Mary David, Minister, Jodo Shinshu Temple, Mililani, Oahu; Father Walther Dettweiler, Retired Episcopal Minister, Kamuela; Ruth Bernaert, Yoga and Tantric Meditation teacher, Ahualoa; Kathleen Golden, Vipassana Meditation teacher, Volcano; Amelia Walker, follower of Thich Nhat Hahn's Order of Interbeing; and panelists representing other meditation perspectives to be announced.

“Mindfulness” is a practice of paying careful attention to what is happening in the present moment—including sensations, sounds, smells, visual images, emotions and thoughts. It can be done any time, while engaged in any kind of activity.


Read for Peace

Friends of Honoka‘a Library invite book lovers, avid readers and peace advocates to come and join their talk-story with light refreshments, Friday, September 19, 2013 at 5 p.m. at Honokaa Library.  The book selection for 2013 is “Sarah’s Key,” by Tatiana de Rosnay.  This intense historical novel tells the story of a Jewish family uprooted from their Paris home in 1942, and the heartbreaking secrets that daughter Sarah carried with her to Auschwitz. Copies are available for check-out, or new and used copies and Kindle version on Amazon.  (The children’s book selection is "Sadako and the 1,000 Cranes" by Eleanor Coerr.)  Friends of the Honoka‘a Library will also generously offer an interactive book giveaway at the Peace Day Festival again this year.

Read for Peace Information and Flier coming soon.


SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21st

3rd Annual 5K Run for Peace.

    Run for Peace -  Register at 2:30 pm for the 5K run/walk through town, just before the Parade starts. Have fun with friends supporting peace education. High school (and other) teams can use the event as a fund-raiser. (Details below.) The 5K Run for Peace begins at Honoka‘a High and Intermediate School, takes a long loop out towards Waipi’o Valley. Runners will lead off the parade at 4:00 pm, their route taking them past thousands in the parade audience. Valley and back. Cost is $25 per person which includes a Peace Day t-shirt with cash prizes to be awarded to division winners. Register in advance (see forms below) or on location.

    • Run for Peace Flyer (PDF)
    • Run for Peace Entry Form (PDF, DOC)
    • Run for Peace High School Team Fee Waiver (PDF, DOC)
    • Run for Peace High School Team (PDF, DOC)

12 noon to 3:30 p.m., “PEACE IN THE STREETS” - leading up to the Peace Day Parade at 4 p.m. , we're taking it to the street, with fun activities for the whole family.  Enjoy the scavenger hunt with great prizes—including $100 CASH--for those who visit Mamane Street businesses.  Plus Jump & Slide inflatable bouncer, live music on multiple stages, and more.

4:00 p.m. The Parade! Stepping off from Honoka‘a High School, along Mamane Street and up to the County Sports Complex. Various stops and performances at narrator stands along the route.

3–8 p.m. - Peace Day Festival follows at Honokaa Sports Complex.  Lots of food booths, crafts and community groups, live entertainment onstage including Honoka’a High School Jazz Band, ringing of the Peace Bell, Bon Dancing for all to join and silent auction to benefit the Peace Committee.  Plus Zoo Choo train rides and Jump & Slide for the keiki.  

STAY TUNED FOR MORE ANNOUNCEMENTS ABOUT OUR CALENDAR OF EVENTS !!

View Our Previous Events Here >

Honokaa Hongwanji Buddhist Temple, PO Box 1667,  Honoka`a HI 96727  808 775-7232
The Committee is an affiliate of the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii,
a registered not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) organization.  Artwork and the words “United Nations” are used with permission.