May peace — and ‘the Force’ — be with you in Honokaa 17TH ANNUAL OKTOBERFEST Hilo Hongwanji Sangha Hall Friday, October 7, 2016 5:30 – 9pm 398 Kilauea Ave., Hilo PARKING AVAILABLE *Must be 21+ w/ valid ID for alcohol consumption • ENJOY AUTHENTIC GERMAN FOOD! • ENJOY LIVE GERMAN MUSIC! • COSTUME CONTEST! • SILENT AUCTION! $50 PRE-SALE $60 AT THE DOOR Buy tickets at: www.hilobayoktoberfest.com • Proceeds to benefi t Rotary International’s fi ght to ending Polio. • Help fi nance numerous community projects on the Big Island. Organizers of the Peace Day events in Honokaa are hoping to get participants into a mindset of positivity, reduced stress and kindness to others during this year’s festivities. “It’s about focusing on peace and compassion and how you can help make your world, your neighborhood, more peaceful and compassionate,” says Miles Okumura, chairman of the Peace Committee. “We are trying to make it more than just a piece of paper ‘peace day’ and promote it locally with a multifaceted approach. Our events are varied.” Peace-themed events continue through Oct. 1, including youth activities, a Blue Zones “Power 9” event, books and art projects, the 10th annual Peace Day parade and festival, and more. “We feel you can help society by how kids are taught to understand peace and the different kinds of mindful practices,” Okumura says. “Mindfulness is important because it starts with you.” “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” launched the annual Peace Day celebration yesterday at Honokaa People’s Theatre. Each year, the Peace Committee, producers of the annual Peace Day events, chooses a film that fits with the event’s mission. They selected the most recent installment of the “Star Wars” saga because of its connections with Buddhist themes such as mindfulness meditation and the similarity between the “Force” and dharma, the teaching or religion of Buddha. Educator Kiyoshi Najita discussed the concept during his introduction to the film. “Anything ‘Star Wars’ has a flavor of Buddhism to it,” says Najita, Sept. 22 2016 CREDITS: Editor David Bock Writers John Burnett Katie Young Yamanaka Photography Hollyn Johnson Design Bonnie L. Rogers Katie Young YAMANAKA Big Island Vibe Email your Island Beat announcements to entertainment@hawaiitribune-herald.com See PEACE Page 11 2 Thursday, September 22, 2016
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