HANAPEPE — Gerald Hirata of the Kaua‘i Soto Zen Temple will be among the countless numbers of people, globally observing Peace Day on Tuesday morning.
So will Mary Rush of South Carolina who spent her Monday helping volunteers string together folded paper cranes, or origami Japanese tsuru, created for the event by students attending Westside schools.
“The Kaua‘i Soto Zen Temple is participating in the statewide Honpa Hongwanji-led bell ringing via Zoom,” Hirata said. “Following that, we will decorate the World Peace Kannon statue that will be available for the public to view and reflect on the ideals of peace.”
The International Day of Peace is celebrated globally after the United Nations General Assembly declared this date, Sept. 21, as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace through observing 24 hours of non-violence and cease-fire.
“In 2021, as we heal from the COVID-19 pandemic, we are inspired to think creatively and collectively about how to help everyone recover better, how to build resilience, and how to transform our world into one that is more equal, more just, equitable, inclusive, sustainable, and healthier,” states the United Nations website.
Hirata said due to the pandemic, Peace (Day) events were scaled back with no gatherings taking place, including the Interfaith Roundtable, and The Storybook Theater hosting virtual events similar to the Honpa Hongwanji Mission temples in Kapa‘a, Lihu‘e, and west Kaua‘i.
Numerous invitations from groups such as the Rotary Club International and others invite its memberships to join the virtual observance.
Hirata said the decorating of the World Peace Kannon statue with strings of paper cranes, or tsuru, strung together after being folded on recycled paper by students in Westside schools represents a physical manifestation of the global observance.
“We have about 3,000 cranes, already,” Hirata said. “I also have the Peace banners donated by longtime peace advocate Jim Jung who also donated the Peace kite used during the IROK gatherings before the pandemic.”
Efforts by the Honpa Hongwanji Mission Junior Young Buddhists of America worked with the Hawai‘i State Legislature resulting in legislation that made Hawai‘i the first state in the nation to observe Peace Day.
During last year’s observance, youth could be involved in Peace Day because so many students were on distance learning platforms. This year, the students are back in school, and could not get permission to be involved in the bell ringing that takes place at 9 a.m.
The decorated statue and surrounding areas will be available for the public to view and reflect through Sept. 26 from dusk until approximately 8 p.m.
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Dennis Fujimoto can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
