Gandhi International Institute for Peace (GIIP) was founded by Dr. Raj Kumar on September 11, 2001. Dr. Kumar was deeply saddened by the terrorist attack on Twin Towers in New York and decided to raise awareness about nonviolence and peace.
The mission of this charitable organization is to provide information, consultation, education and training to resolve conflict in a nonviolent manner. This decreases violence in all its forms and leads to harmony in families, schools and the workplace. And it inspires humanity to expand its consciousness to create peace on earth.
For the past nineteen years, GIIP, which is based in Honolulu, has continued its work 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.
In October 2007, GIIP organized a World Peace Walk from Magic Island in Ala Moana to Kapiolani Park in Waikiki. Various organizations participated in this walk to unite people from different religions and encouraged them to live in peace and harmony. Gandhi preached and practiced Ahimsa (nonviolence) which means refrain from harming others in your thoughts, words and actions.
In April 2011, GIIP invited Arun Gandhi, grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, to speak about peace and nonviolence at the Hawaii State Capitol, East West Center, ‘Iolani School Spark Matsunaga Peace Institute at University of Hawaii Manoa Campus and Unity Church of Hawaii.
- In December 2014, GIIP initiated Senate Bill SB 332 which was unanimously passed by the Senate and House, and signed into Act 5 by former Governor, David Y. Ige on April 9, 2015. This made Hawaii the first state in the nation to proclaim October 2nd as “Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi Day”. GIIP has received Proclamations from Honorable Governors of Hawaii, Dr. Neil Abercrombie, David Y. Ige and Dr. Josh Green. GIIP also has received certificates from the Senate and House for the annual Mahatma Gandhi Day event in the past years.
- In the Twenty- Eight Legislature of the State of Hawaii in 2016, GIIP initiated Resolution SCR 20 to establish a Sister State relationship between the State of Hawaii and Goa, Republic of India. The resolution was adopted by Hawaii legislature unanimously as State Concurrent Resolution 20, SD 1, HD 1- further honoring the legacy of Gandhi, promoting international peace and goodwill among Hawaii and India’s peoples through travel, culture and arts exchange, increased educational opportunities, and economic opportunities. The formal signing ceremony for the Hawai’i-Goa sister state relationship by representatives of the two governments took place at Washington Place in Honolulu on September 28, 2018.
- GIIP initiated a House Bill to the Hawaii Legislature, HB 349, to recognize June 21st of each year as International Yoga Day in Hawaii. The House Bill was signed into Act 102 by former Governor David Y. Ige on June 21, 2019. Hawaii became the first state in the U.S. to pass this bill. Since 2019, GIIP has organized an annual International Yoga Day event to raise awareness about Health and Peace in Hawaii.
GIIP organized a vigil and interfaith prayer service in Honolulu after a gun violence incident which occurred at a Sikh temple in Wisconsin in 2012. GIIP has inspired youth to practice nonviolence at the University of Hawaii; Hawaii Pacific University; Brigham Young University; and Pacific Buddhist Academy. GIIP has also participated in various peace events organized by the Honpa Hongwanji Betsuin; Ceeds of Peace; the Pacific Justice and Reconciliation Center; Rotary Club of Honolulu; ISKCON Temple; Still and Moving Center; MOA Wellness Center and Families of Peace. GIIP most recently participated in the Buddha Peace Festival held in August 2024 and birthday celebration of King Kalakaua in Honolulu in November 2024.
GIIP has celebrated Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday with interfaith leaders since 2006. Prominent political, academic and social leaders from California, New York, Washington D.C., Canada, Mexico and India, and Hawaii participated in Mahatma Gandhi Day events.
Professor Brian Hallettte from Spark M. Matsunaga Peace Institute, Professor Cromwell Crawford from Religion Department, and Dr. Terry Shintani were speakers at the Mahatma Gandhi Day event in October 2006.
Former Honolulu Mayor, Honorable Mufi Hannemann was the keynote speaker at the Mahatma Gandhi Day event in 2007.
Roger Epstein, Esq. was the keynote speaker at the Mahatma Gandhi Day event in October 2008.
Dr. Glenn D. Paige from the Center for Global Nonkilling and Dr. David Fray participated at the Mahatma Gandhi Day event in October 2009.
Former U.S. Congressman and later Governor of Hawaii, Dr. Neil Abercrombie and former Hawaii Senator Brickwood Galuteria participated at the Mahatma Gandhi Day event in October 2011.
Former Lt. Governor, Brian Schatz participated at the Mahatma Gandhi Day event in October 2012.
Former House Representative, Lyla Berg was the keynote speaker at the Mahatma Gandhi Day event in October 2013.
Misty Kela’i, Director of Mayor’s office of Culture and Art, City and County of Honolulu participated in Mahatma Gandhi Day event and presented the Proclamation from Honolulu Mayor, Kirk Caldwell to Dr. Raj Kumar in October 2014.
Dr. and Master Zhi Gang Sha from Canada and Prabha Sankara Narayan, Professor at University of Pittsburg and CEO of Mediator Beyond Borders; and Maya Soetoro from Spark Matsunaga Peace Institute and Conflict Resolution at University of Hawaii were speakers at the Mahatma Gandhi Day event in October 2015.
Former United States Senator, Daniel K. Akaka participated in Mahatma Gandhi Day event. Honorable Council Woman, Kymberly Pine presented the certificate and Proclamation issued by Honolulu Mayor, Kirk Caldwell to Dr. Raj Kumar, Founder and President of GIIP in 2016. Dr. Ha’aheo Guanson and students from University of Hawaii also participated in the event.
GIIP published a book- Gandhi’s Wisdom for You in 2016.
Karen Knudsen, Director Office of External Affairs, East West Center, University of Hawaii and Lisa Taylor, President of Ceeds of Peace participated at the Mahatma Gandhi Day event in October 2017.
GIIP members and the delegates from Goa, Republic of India met with Dr. Richard Vuylsteke, President of East West Center at University of Hawaii in September 2018.
Former Congresswoman, Tulsi Gabbard participated at the Mahatma Gandhi Day event in October 2018.
U.S. Congressman, Honorable Ed Case, Lt. Governor of Hawaii, Honorable Dr. Josh Green, Honorable Minister Govind Gaude and the delegates from Goa, Republic of India, Jared Yurow, Psy. D., Professor Andrea Malji from Hawaii Pacific University and International speaker, Judith Jenya Esq. from Mexico and interfaith leaders participated at the Mahatma Gandhi Day event on October 5, 2019.
Dr. Raj Kumar and GIIP members received a Proclamation from Governor David Y. Ige at Hawaii State Capitol on October 6, 2019. GIIP members and delegates from Goa, Republic of India also met with President John Y. Gotanda and Provost Jennifer Walsh at Hawaii Pacific University.
GIIP published a book: Children as Teachers of Peace and Aloha, in 2019.
Former Ambassador from Bangladesh to United Nations and Under Secretary General, His Excellency, Anwarul K. Chowdhury was the keynote speaker in GIIP hosted international webinar in October 2020.
Mr. Tushar Gandhi, great grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, Hawaii House Representative, Dr. Matthew Lopresti; Ms. Audrey Kitagawa; Founder and President of the International Academy for Multi-Cultural Cooperation; Dr. Veena Howard, Associate Professor of Asian Religious Traditions at California State University; Kahu and Dr. Kaleo Patterson from the Pacific Justice and Reconciliation Center; Marc J. Gilbert, Emeritus Professor of History, Hawaii Pacific University; and Professor Ramdas Lamb, Religion Department at University of Hawaii participated in a GIIP hosted livestream webinar in October 2021.
The Republic of India’s Defense Minister, Honorable Rajnath Singh, visited Mahatma Gandhi’s statue and draped a lei at the statue in Waikiki, Honolulu in April 2022.
Indian Ambassador to U.S., His Excellency, Taranjit Singh Sandhu and Indian Navy officers of INS Satpura visited Mahatma Gandhi’s statue in Waikiki, Honolulu in July 2022.
Dr. Diane Crinicione Jampolski from Hawaii Attitudinal Healing (Attitudinal Healing International), was a keynote speaker in Mahatma Gandhi Day webinar hosted by GIIP in October 2022.
Dr. Deepak Chopra, Dr. Suhas Kshirsagar and Dr. David Frawley were speakers at the GIIP sponsored International Yoga Day event on June 21, 2022.
Dr. Sundar Arora, Psychiatrist from Canada participated in International Yoga Day event on June 21, 2023.
Professor Prasad Gollanpalii from the Gandhi King Foundation of India was the keynote speaker in the Mahatma Gandhi Day event in October 2023. Dr. Barbara Melamed from Behavioral Medicine, Jose’ Barzola from Conflict and Peace Specialist at the University Hawaii and Cliff Tillotson from Still and Moving Center spoke at the event alongside representatives from religious dominations in Hawaii including Kahu and Dr. Kaleo Patterson (Christianity); Kahu and Dr. Ha’aheo Guanson (The Interfaith Alliances of Hawaii); Dr. Jared Yurow, Psy. D. (Judaism); Professor Abdul Karim Khan (Islam); Rev. Sol M. Kau (Buddhism); Mollie Sperry (Bahai faith); Dr. Birendra Singh Huja (Sikhism) and Dr. Cliff DeVries (Transcendental Meditation) were also speakers in this event.
Hawaii Senator, Mike Gabbard was the keynote speaker for the GIIP hosted International Yoga Day event on June 21, 2024. GIIP received Proclamations from Hawaii’s Governor Josh Green and Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi.
Former Hawaii State Senator, Suzanne Chun Oakland, was the keynote speaker in the Mahatma Gandhi Day event on October 2, 2024. GIIP received Proclamations from Governor Josh Green and Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi and certificates from the Senate and the House for this event. By holding these annual events, GIIP brings people from all walks of life together to promote peace in Hawaii and around the world.
GIIP is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization based in Honolulu. For more information email GIIP at gandhianpeace@gmail.com or visit our website: www.gandhianpeace.org