155th Birthday Celebration of Mahatma Gandhi in Honolulu
On October 2, 2024, two hundred people gathered at the 19th Annual Mahatma Gandhi Day and International Day of Nonviolence in Honolulu, Hawai. In front of the large bronze statue of Mahatma Gandhi in the southwest corner of Kapiolani Park, near the ocean in Honolulu — over their heads were the graceful branches of the ancient trees; in the distance, the gentle roll of the Pacific waves.
Representatives of Josh Green, the Governor of Hawaii, and Rick Blangiardi, the Mayor of Honolulu, and, in person, former Hawaii State Senator Suzanne Chun Oakland, were present, made their observations, and offered formal declarations. Leaders of the Hawaiian community, Father Kaleo Patterson and Kumu Ha’aheo Guanson, offered blessings and the ritual spread of raw salt around the site, in the spirit of Aloha.
Many other community leaders and artists were there as well, uplifted by the Royal Hawaiian Band, which sent 25 members to play.
Michael North, co-founder of the Zhou Enlai Peace Institute, was invited to speak.
Here is the program for the day (PDF)
Mr. North said: “We are gathered to celebrate the birthday of a pioneer of peace, Mahatma Gandhi. His spirit has inspired generations of peacemakers around the world.
“On behalf of the Zhou Enlai Peace Institute, we extend heartfelt congratulations and thanks to the organizers of the Gandhi International Institute for Peace in Honolulu. On the 75th anniversary of the founding of New China, we convey support to all peace-loving people of the world — to China, America, and the whole globe.
“Xiaofang Zhou North, the co-founder of the Zhou Enlai Peace Institute, met with peacemakers in Beijing yesterday, and sends greetings on behalf of the Chinese people to this gathering.”
“What is the inner meaning of Mahatma?” he asked the group, and the event sponsor, Raj Kumar, founder of the Gandhi International Institute for Peace in Hawaii, stood up and said, “Great Soul.“
Mr. North continued, “Mahatma Gandhi did not fall from the sky. His genius emerged organically from his family — mother, father, sisters, brothers, community, schools, teachers, doctors — all the people who raised him, nurtured him, inspired him, lifted him up. This was a Family of Peace, which grew exponentially after his passing, and continues to grow today.
“Today, we are all members of Gandhi’s large, glowing family. And we are called to make peace in our own families, as he did in his.”
Here are two news report about this event:
“This great soul, whose birthday we celebrate today, spent a long and committed life in gentle contemplation. He was the spiritual teacher of millions, a courageous leader of social and political action advocating the independence amd freedom of his nation, the Republic of India. At many times during his long life Gandhi was threatened, left right and center, by those who opposed his vision.
He was aware of this but continued always, peaceful and non-violent, to advocate his vision. He forgave those who threatened him.
“Some of us know the sad conclusion to this story — the Mahatma died, suddenly and violently, ripped from his body by assassin’s bullets at a meeting in Delhi.
“As I prepared this morning to celebrate his birth, I sensed the long arc of his life, and how it was completed in his death. I personally believe that his humble, disciplined life of peace prepared him for that searing moment, and he passed with gratitude into the next life. His legacy lives on.
“Let us spend a moment together in silence, feeling the Mahatma lift again into Heaven, where he is present for all of us, now and at any time.”
Some of the speakers and performers
The Royal Hawaiian Band
Media Production and Post-Production by David Castellano
