LIHU‘E — Shootings taking place in America’s schools, violence of wars and other violent acts on a daily basis bombard people throughout the world. This scenario determined the Interfaith Roundtable of Kaua‘i on its offering for Dr. Martin Luther King Day,
LIHU‘E — Shootings taking place in America’s schools, violence of wars and other violent acts on a daily basis bombard people throughout the world.
This scenario determined the Interfaith Roundtable of Kaua‘i on its offering for Dr. Martin Luther King Day, Monday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Kukui Grove Center.
Annaleah Atkinson said the Interfaith Roundtable was considering whether to create a public celebration or a more “worshipful,” peace-invoking event.
“We decided that in this time when we are all exposed to the violence, that we needed to send a clear message: Peace is something to value, celebrate and hold dear, and that there will always be those who continue creating peace in this world,” Atkinson said in an email. “We’ll celebrate joy, love, hope and peace through dance, speeches, songs, crafting and listening.”
Mark Jeffers and Nani Hill of Storybook Theatre and the Hanapepe Hawaiian Church are sponsoring three 2012 Peacemaker awards in the categories of Kaua‘i Peace Educator, Kaua‘i Peace Maker, Youth (ages 12 through 18) and Kaua‘i Peace Maker, Adult.
Nomination forms were sent to all of the churches with the winners being announced at the MLK Day event at Kukui Grove.
Continuing on a 15-year tradition, Pastor Jeannie Thompson of the Kapa‘a United Church of Christ, located at 1315 ‘Ulu St. in Kapa‘a, will host an interfaith Martin Luther King Jr. service starting at 6:30 p.m.
The Monday MLK celebration at Kukui Grove will feature nine tables of crafting activities as well as a table for the Kaua‘i Independent Food Bank to accept food contributions from people willing to share with others who are less fortunate.
“It’s hard to be peaceful is your stomach is hurting,” Atkinson said. “Suggested items for contributions include canned fruits, vegetables or protein. The bag you use to bring your contributions can be used to take home the crafts available to be made.”
Atkinson said a gallery of peaceful, joyful, loving phrases for people to read will be available along with information on peace makers.
The popular Chalk 4 Peace will return, and people will be able to get their faces painted ahead of a peace parade.
Hana Montgomery opens the festivities with a Hawaiian blessing starting at 11 a.m. followed by the reading of a proclamation from Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr.
Ron Wiley, the KQNG Radio Group on-air personality, will introduce the celebration ahead of a performance from Tsunami Taiko, a youth taiko group hailing primarily from Kaua‘i’s Westside.
Other entertainment facets include Universal Dances of PEACE, Love Tribe African Drumming, the Kapa‘a High School Peer Mediation Team under the direction of instructor Keith Kitamura, the Lihu‘e Tongan Choir, Hindu chanting and the Jewish Shalom Song concluding the celebration.
