MEDIA RELEASE

International Day of Nonviolence & Birthday Celebration of Mahatma Gandhi

Annual Celebration Set For Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Organizer: Raj Kumar, Ph.D.

Founder & President of Gandhi International Institute for Peace

NOTE: The entire celebration will be broadcast and Web streamed live:

"Pathways to Paradise"

5:00 PM Channel 49

(digital cable only) Channel 49

Worldwide web streaming on the internet at www.olelo.org/. Click on the FOCUS live button.

HONOLULU: SEPTEMBER 19, 2013 -- The Annual International Day of Nonviolence & Birthday Celebration of Mahatma Gandhi, leader of the Indian independence movement and pioneer of the philosophy and strategy of non-violence, will take place in Honolulu at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 2nd, 2013 at the Statue of Mahatma Gandhi. The internationally admired life-size bronze is located in the small, tranquil plaza on the Makai (ocean) side of Princess Kapiolani Park in Waikiki, adjacent the entrance to the Honolulu Zoo. 

The International Day of Non-Violence was established by the 15 June 2007 United Nations General Assembly resolution A/RES/61/271. The resolution created a mechanism to "… disseminate the message of non-violence, including through education and public awareness" and reaffirms "… the universal relevance of the principle of non-violence" and the desire "...to secure a culture of peace, tolerance, understanding and non-violence" <http://tinyurl.com/3xw6ggo>.

Mahatma Gandhi (October 1869 -30 January 1948) was "the preeminent leader of Indian nationalism in British-ruled India. Employing non-violent civil disobedience, Gandhi led India to independence and inspired later movements for civil rights and freedom around the world." 

The term "Mahatma" is Sanskrit for "great-souled" and "venerable" and was first applied to him in 1914 in South Africa. Gandhi is considered the Father of the Nation in India where his October 2nd birthday is a national holiday. The gentle grandfather of non-violent protest, Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated on 30 January 1948 and the entire world wept. In 2011, our Hawai`i event was graced by the presence of Mahatma Gandhi's grandson, Arun Gandhi who continues in his revered grandfather's footsteps as an advocate for world peace.

Participants in the 1.5-hour Honolulu Celebration are as follows:

Emcees: Mr. Jeff Gere and Ms. Ayami Hatanaka

Aloha Lei Greeters: Luc Lavatai & Sabrina Gouveia (Students of Iolani school)

- The Royal Hawaiian Band performs the National Anthems of Hawaii, India and the U.S.A. Mr. Clarke Bright, Band Master & Miss. Susan Ishida, Band Manager. 

- Blessing by Na Kahuoaloha: Kahu Kauila Clark, Mr. Mike Alana, Mr. Darrell Harada & Miss Tiare Zick - Mariteragi Oprta.

- Welcome by Dr. Raj Kumar.

- Mayor’s Proclamation read by Miss Toni Robinson and "Let there be Peace On Earth” performed by The Royal Hawaiian Band with accompanying Hula.

- Peace song by Dr. Noble Turner.

- Keynote Speaker: Ms. Lyla Berg, former member of the Hawai`i State House of Representatives. 

- Taiko Drums: Mr. Jay Toyofuku and students Zach Agcoali, Blayne Nakasone, Kiana, Kelcie Miyakawa, Tom, Megan Viloria, Koki Atcheson, Bethnay Yoshimura, and Skyler Nishiyama, of Pacific Buddhist Academy.

- Interfaith Leaders for World Peace: 

Rev. Randolph Sykes, President Interfaith Alliances (Christianity), Sister Joan Chatfield, Chair, Institute for Religion and Social Change (Catholic), Bishop Eric Matsumoto, Honpa Hongwanji (Buddhism) and, Dr. Saleem Ahmed, President, President of All Believers Network (Islam). 

- Peace and Healing through crystal bowls & flute by Mr. Wallen Ellingson and Mrs. Leigh Ann Phillips.

- Dance by Mrs. Willow Chang Alleon & ensemble.

- Happy Muve Dance to relieve Stress by Mrs. Maggie Kunkell.

- Viapasana Meditation: Mr. Richard Hennessey.

- Human Rights & Equality in America by Combat Veteran Miss. Evelynn Ruby Daniels. 

- Universal Peace Dance by Mrs. Valerie Payton, Mr. John Sausedo and ensemble.

Pau.

MAHALO TO:

Honorable Governor Neil Abercrombie

Honorable Mayor Kirk Caldwell

Hawaii Tourism Authority

The Royal Hawaiian Band

Honolulu Zoo & Park & Recreation staff

Waikiki Police

Honolulu Civil Beat

Honolulu Star-Advertiser

KFVE Channel 5

KHON Channel 2

KHNL & KGMB Hawai`i News Now

BYU Students & Volunteers. 

Iolani School Students

Spark Matsunaga Institute for Peace & Conflict Resolution

'Olelo Community Television

SPONSORS

The Rotary Club

Foodland - Mrs. Jenai Wall

Angels in Hawaii - Susan Gemini

Down to Earth

Forgiveness Project

Global Media Production

Hawaii Health Foundation

Hawaii Health Guide

Hawaii Wellness Directory

Interfaith Alliances of Hawaii

ISKCON temple

MOA Wellness Center

Pacific Buddhist Academy

Pacific Peace Justice & Reconciliation Center

Vegetarian Society of Hawaii

Gandhi International Institute for Peace

Board of Directors

President - Raj Kumar, Ph.D.

Vice-President - Mr. Harendra Panalal, P.E.

Treasurer - Mr. Clayton Kirio, CPA

Secretary - Dr. Joy Bliss

Mr. Eric Bott

Ms. Barbara Melamed, Ph.D.

Ms.Tina Quizon, Olelo TV host

Mrs. Laura Steelquist

Mr. Noble Turner, Ph.D.

Board of Advisers

Mrs. Joy Bliss, Ph.D.

Professor. Cromwell Crawford

Mr. Roger Epstein, Esq.

Mr. Peter Greenhill

Ms. Haaheo Guanson, Ph.D.

Reverend John Heidel

Mr. Norman Oshiro

Reverend Kaleo Patterson

Reverend William Randall

John Yuen, Esq.

Roger Epstein, Esq.

Gary Singh, Esq.

Event Coordinators

Mr. Ron Reddick - Stage Manager

Mr. Lyntillus Boyd - Program Manager

Mr. Greg Behnert - Sound Engineer

Barbara Cooney - Volunteer

Mr. Wallen Ellingson - Event Coordinator

Mr. Vikram Khurana - Website Maintainer 

Miss Caron Wilbert - Photographer

Mr. Craig Shull - Editor

Mr. Scott Foster - Communications & Media