Hawaii Tribune-Herald Island Beat Thursday, September 22, 2016 11 a teacher at Parker School, who led the discussion before and after the film screening. “The word ‘Awakens,’ along with the title, alludes to the Buddha as ‘the awakened one.’ The film is very much about people letting go of their fearful attachment to their sense of self and its role in the world, and through the Force (which is analogous to Buddha nature), giving rise to their most true nature.” Najita says Buddhism plays a role in the Peace Day events because it’s in line with spreading a message of “loving kindness — not just to our friends and loved ones, but to everyone who suffers everywhere,” he says. More Peace Day events are on the schedule, starting with “Wine at 5” at 5 p.m. Friday at Café II Mondo, featuring a Blue Zones presentation and sampling of Cannonau di Sardegna wine from Italy. This particular wine is noted for having the highest level of antioxidants in the world. The free event also is a reminder of how spending time with friends impacts our health and happiness. Even if it’s just for an hour, it’s important to set aside time to connect with friends and loved ones. The much-anticipated 10th annual Peace Day Parade and Festival starts at 4 p.m. Saturday. Mamane Street will be closed for the celebration that features taiko drumming by Hilo Taishoji Taiko, Cirque Ohana circus performers and hula by Beamer Solomon’s Halau O Po‘ohala and the senior residents of Hale Ho‘ola. The Peace Day Festival follows the parade from 5-7:30 p.m. with food booths, live rock music, the Honokaa High School Jazz Band, the Honokaa Senior Citizen Club singers, a bon dance led by the Four Temples Association, silent auction and more. “We try to make the parade really fun and limit it to acts that are highly entertaining,” Okumura says. “We get a nice mix of performing groups. It’s not a parade that has people marching or riding. We select just 20 to 25 groups total, and almost all of them are performing groups. The parade has come to be known for that.” Next up is “Read for Peace” from 5-6 p.m. Monday at Honokaa Public Library. The free event features “All the Light We Cannot See” by Anthony Doerr, a New York Times best-seller about a blind French girl and a German boy whose paths cross in occupied France. Also at the Honokaa Library is “Chalk the Walk” from 3:30-5:30 p.m. Thursday, where young artists are encouraged to come and express their creativity on the sidewalks. All materials are provided for this free youth activity. The Peace Day events end with a “Day of Mindfulness” from 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 1. Meditation instructor Dr. Gregory Pai from the Broken Ridge Korean Temple on Oahu will teach a free guided sitting and walking meditation, lead a dharma discussion and present a “silent meal” in the social hall of the Honokaa Hongwanji Buddhist Temple. (RSVP to fredburian@ msn.com or call 775- 1064.) “Being mindful is about clearing and calming your mind,” Okumura explains. “So, when you sit and eat silently, it helps you focus on the food, appreciate the flavor and what food means in terms of people growing and preparing it. It helps you not only to calm your mind but also to focus.” Okumura adds that the committee also tries to bring awareness to their mission and the community’s youth. Each year, students statewide are encouraged to express their vision of peace artistically in the Peace Poster Contest. Cash prizes are awarded in several categories, and the contest is open to public, private and home-school students from pre-K through 12th grade. (The deadline for this year’s submissions has passed; winners are yet to be announced.) “We now get over 100 submissions each year,” says Francine Roby, Peace Poster Contest director. The theme for this year’s contest is “Peace = Future.” “Perhaps the best comment came in today from a teacher at Stevenson Middle School,” Roby says. “The teacher said, ‘They are working very diligently, coloring, painting and drawing about what peace means to them. I’m glad this poster contest opened the conversations to focus on a peaceful existence.’” For more information about Peace Day events, follow Peace Day parade on Facebook, visit www. PeaceDayParade.org or email info@peacedayparade. org. PEACE From page 2 ABOVE: Families walk in the parade. LEFT: Ryukyukoku Matsuri Daiko Kohala perform at a past Peace Day Parade. Submitted photos
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