The County of Hawaii mayor’s office, led by Mayor Billy Kenoi, has been exerting all-out efforts to insure that all citizens who reside in the path of the continually erupting Kilauea volcano remain safe. That same reverence for the sanctity of life was on display today, in an uplifting format, as the County of Hawaii presented the fifth annual World Peace Festival on Coconut Island. This small body of land, situated in Hilo Bay off Liliuokalani Park, is also known as Moku Ola (Hawaiian for “Island of Life” or “healing island”). Since ancient times, Moku Ola has served as a safe haven, a place for healing and refuge.
Each year, Festival participants come together to promote the “spirit of Aloha” and “cultural diversity for the creation of a peaceful world” in this grand event resulting from a partnership among the Hawaii County Mayor’s Office, the County Department Parks and Recreation, the Hilo Downtown Improvement Association, Hawaii Youth Exchange and other business entities and citizens.
At this year’s Festival, more than 2,000 people enjoyed performances, cultural displays, arts and crafts, and delicious culinary treats. The program also included Female Vocalist of the Year Darlene Ahuna; a traditional Hawaiian prayer by Kimo Awai; Irish whirligigs; the Tupulaga O Samoa dance club from the University of Hawaii, Hilo. The Festival was emceed by Penny Keli’i Vredenburg.
In his official welcome at this year’s Festival, the mayor spoke of the virtues of the event in light of the intensity of daily life on the Big Island of Hawaii: “And now we all have threat of lava, Mother Nature. But it makes you so proud of how the community sticks together, everybody helps each other . . . When times are challenging, we all share from our heart, we all give from our heart.”
He continued: “So we are reminded on days like today of peace and love and Aloha. Hawaii is one special place —not because it is beautiful, but because we all live with love and Aloha. Hawaii is one special place because we respect our seniors, our Kupuna. Hawaii is one special place because we love and protect our children, our Kamalaii; our students, our Homana. Hawaii one special place because everybody is family.”
The mayor concluded by expressing his appreciation to all behind-the-scenes support personnel, such as citizens who contributed greatly to beautifying the bridge to the island and venue with an abundance of flowers.
As a highlight of the event, representatives of ICAP bestowed its Humanity in the Arts Peace Award to Mr. Kenoi. The award certificate reads in part: “The community of artists draws its deepest inspiration from those individuals who lead the way toward transcending the differences that divide the human beings, who devote themselves daily to the heightening of a human spirit as exemplified by your ongoing efforts to spread the spirit of Aloha.”
Mayor Kenoi expressed his gratitude for the honor, which he dedicated to his beloved parents. He then introduced his mother-in-law, Kuniko Culhane. The mayor shared that before he started dating his then-schoolmate, Takako Culhane, the young Billy Kenoi visited Mrs. Culhane to ask for her permission. The mayor said that their treasured relationship of mutual respect today originated in how Mrs. Culhane was both very strict and very warm and loving toward him in those early days.
Shelly Takemoto, a local community organizer, said: “I have been fortunate to be involved since the first World Peace Festival. I have seen so many changes, especially in terms of increased citizen awareness and active participation. I am very grateful to participate in behind-the-scenes efforts to ensure the success of the Festival.”