The town of Honoka‘a will host its annual Peace Day Parade and Festival this Saturday, September 16, 2023, in celebration of the United Nations International Day of Peace. The event aims to promote peace and foster community spirit, featuring a variety of performances, displays, and cultural expressions.
The Peace Day Parade is set to commence at 11:00 a.m., with participants including musicians, drummers, dancers, and local artists. “This year, we really want to be much more inclusive with the concept of peace,” said Miles Okumura, chair of the Peace Committee. He emphasized the importance of unity, stating, “We are keeping it simple, because everyone has more in common compared to what separates and divides us when it comes to expressing and celebrating peace.”
Following the parade, the Peace Day Festival will take place from noon to 16:00 in downtown Honoka‘a. The festival will be located on Mamane Street between Kika Street and Lehua Street. The event is designed to allow diverse groups and individuals to showcase their creative interpretations of peace through various forms of art, culture, and community engagement.
Okumura elaborated on the festival’s offerings: “Exhibitions can include displays related to history, culture, music, food, performances, flags, banners, and more. We anticipate seeing some truly meaningful and enjoyable performances and displays during the day’s events.”
The Peace Day Parade and Festival is organized by the Peace Committee of Honoka‘a Hongwanji Buddhist Temple in collaboration with Hawaii County, the Committee on Social Concerns of Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii, and the Honoka‘a Business Association. This cooperative effort highlights the strong community support for promoting peace and cultural awareness.
For additional information, interested individuals can visit the official website at www.peacedayparade.org. This event represents not only a celebration of peace but also an opportunity for the Honoka‘a community to come together and express their shared values and aspirations.
