Martin Luther King Jr. and his legacy will be remembered today with the Celebration of Peace Day in Lihu‘e. Hosted by the Interfaith Roundtable of Kaua‘i at the Kukui Grove Food Court, the program features short presentations from various church
Martin Luther King Jr. and his legacy will be remembered today with the Celebration of Peace Day in Lihu‘e.
Hosted by the Interfaith Roundtable of Kaua‘i at the Kukui Grove Food Court, the program features short presentations from various church members and organizations from around the island.
“(I hope) that people have a good time, learn a little, make a new friend,” said Annaleah Atkinson, event coordinator. “If people relax, they will have a good time.”
Along with songs, dance and prayer, the event will host a drumming circle, Qi Gong for relaxation, mandala drawings to color and a graffiti wall where “people will be able to chalk their dreams,” Atkinson said.
Atkinson mentioned the event will be interactive and for all ages.
For Steve Backinoff of Kilauea, Martin Luther King Jr. Day is the day when he sings the song “Lift Every Voice” somewhere in public.
“It’s been a personal tradition for me since 1989,” he said.
Backinoff will also lead a Sufi universal dance of peace.
Karen Backinoff, who will participate in a hula dance, said King’s message of peace hit home for her when her grandson had an assignment to memorize a line from King’s “I Have a Dream” speech.
“He was such an amazing leader and role model,” she said. “His message still lives on and I have that dream too.”
Atkinson said she hopes people will stick around for the keiki parade that will close the celebration. Keiki will be able to make flags for the parade during the celebration.
“That was the star of the event last year,” she said.
Today marks the 20th year since Hawai‘i legally established the observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. April 4 will mark the 40th anniversary of King’s assassination.
King, a prominent leader in the American Civil Rights Movement, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964 for his efforts to end segregation and racial discrimination through non-violent methods.
In his famous “I Have a Dream” speech from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, King spoke of his desire for racial harmony.
In the tradition of King’s dream, Atkinson shares hers for Kaua‘i.
“It would be our dream to have an island where people don’t look at you from the outside in, but from the inside out,” she said.
The Celebration of Peace day will be held at the Kukui Grove Food Court from 11 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.
More inside
• Governor’s comments, A4
• A look at MLK Jr.’s legacy, A5
• Schedule of local events, A7
Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration of Peace Day
11 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. today
Kukui Grove Mall Food Court
(Pete Woods will play pre-performance music beginning at 10:45 a.m.)
11 Welcome Rev. Jim Brooking, Intro of the Day: Ron Wiley,Blessing: Sabra Kauka
11:15 Aloha Africa Drumming Circle for Peace: Isa Marie
11:35 Jewish Community Prayer and song: Dale Robertson
11:40 Halau Hula Na Lei Kupua o Kaua‘i: Karen Backinoff
11:50 Universal Dance of Peace: Steve Backinoff
noon “I Have a Dream” speech excerpts read by Isaac Worth
12:05 Peace song and sing along: Omashar of Unity of Kaua‘i
12:15 Talk: Peace for our Island: Hawaii Island Ministries, RoySasaki
12:20 Qi Gong for relaxation: Francesco Garripoli
12:30 Lihu‘e Hongwanji Choir: Rev. Midori Kondo
12:40 Hindu peace sharing: Acharya Kumarswami
12:45 Song: In My Dreams/May you have Peace: Karen Dickerson
12:50 Baha’i scripture and dancing: Patrick Parks; Baha‘i youth
12:55 Song “Let there Be Peace on Earth” with Lee Miller and Kiana Okino
1 Aloha Peace Project: Laura Taylor and Harold Shapiro; Peace Songs and Keiki
Parade
• Rachel Gehrlein, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 225) or rgehrlein@kauaipubco.com.
