Gandhi International Institute for Peace to hold 19th Mahatma Gandhi Day in Hawaii

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The Gandhi International Institute for Peace, GIIP, plans to hold the 19^th Annual Mahatma Gandhi Day October 2, in Honolulu, Hawaii.

For the past 19 years, GIIP (gandhianpeace.org) based in Honolulu, has continued to work for world peace  through activities supporting Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy of cultivating the spirit of nonviolence and peace in the hearts of men, women and children around the world, a press release from GIIP noted, it noted. Gandhi firmly believed that violence could not be removed by violence; it could only be removed by nonviolence.

The event will be held at Mahatma Gandhi’s statue in Waikiki, Honolulu to celebrate his 155^th birthday and International Day of Nonviolence on Wednesday, October 2, 2024 from 5 PM to 6: 30 PM.

The theme for this year’s event is “World Peace.” This program includes Hawaiian blessings of peace by Kahu Kaleo Patterson and Indian spiritual invocation by Veda Das. The Royal Hawaiian Band will play the peace music and national anthems of the U.S.A, India and Hawaii Pono ‘I.

The keynote speaker is Suzanne Chun Oakland, former Hawaii State Senator.  Kai’li Trask O’ Connell, director of Arts and Culture will represent Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi.

Other ceremonies will be observed – The sharing of hopes for peace by Haaheo Guanson, president of the Interfaith Alliances of Hawaii; sharing Gandhi’s teaching of nonviolence through peace education by Peter Greenhill retired founder of the Iolani Peace Institute; and families of peace and practicing forgiveness in our daily life by Michael North.

Indian classical dance Bharatnatayam will be performed by Dr. Janani Lakshmanan and Elizabeth Mager, and a solo classical dance will be performed by Arini Shankaralingam.  A song about Gandhi will be sung by a young singer, Adrija Halder.  Yoga poses will be demonstrated by Michele Santos from Sun Yoga, Meditation for peace will be taught by Professor Hong Jiang from University of Hawaii and sound healing through crystal bowls will be offered by Leticia Sharp.  Madana Sundari will be the moderator of the program.

The non-profit GIIP was founded by Dr. Raj Kumar after 9/11.  The main goal of GIIP is to raise awareness about nonviolence and promote peace in the world, the organization says.