Organizations come together for global peace, nonviolence

Hawaii faith communities will host events this month in connection with International Peace Day.

World Peace Day, observed Sept. 21, was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2001 to strengthen the global ideals of peace and nonviolence. Hawaii will join every other state and 17 nations in holding “Campaign Nonviolence” events, which get underway Sunday and continue through Sept. 25.

The campaign is a call for a world free from war, poverty and environmental destruction. All activities are free.

Here are some of the planned events:

>> Interfaith Roundtable of Kauai’s International Day of Peace — 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. Sunday at Lydgate Park. The theme of the event, which will include song, prayer, crafts and sharing of food, is sustainability.

>> Honolulu Friends Meeting (Quakers) peace vigil — 3 to 5 p.m. Tuesday at the corner of Dole Street and University Avenue.

>> “Remembering Daniel Berrigan: Priest, Poet, Peacemaker and Prophet” — 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday at the University of Hawaii’s Newman Center/Holy Spirit Parish, 1941 East-West Road. The event will include a film screening and readings from Berrigan’s works. Friends of Berrigan will share stories about him. For more information, email wallyinglis@yahoo.com.

>> The Malu Aina Center for Nonviolent Education and Action vigil — 3:30 to 5 p.m. Friday at the federal building in Hilo.

>> Peace Day Hawaii 2016 — 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 24 at the University of Hawaii’s Pearl City Urban Garden Center, 955 Kamehameha Highway. The event brings together organizations to share ideas, practices and ways of living that support peace in communities and individual lives. There will be educational forums, activities and entertainment. Participants may also explore the center’s interactive gardens and displays.

>> Seasons for Peace’s annual peace concert — noon to 7:30 p.m. at the Queen Kaahumanu Center in Kahului, Maui.

>> Queen Liliuokalani International Day of Peace — 3 to 4 p.m. at the queen’s statue on state Capitol grounds. The queen was known for her commitment to nonviolence.

In 2007 Hawaii became the first state in the nation to recognize the U.N.’s International Peace Day, which is now celebrated in some 200 countries. For more information about events in the islands, visit paceebene.org.