Peace Tree

On Tuesday, November 20, 2007, I coordinated the planting of a Peace Tree on the the most Ewa side of the State Capitol grounds near the sidewalk a few feet West of the Korean War Memorial.  The Peace Day committee, which I am a co-chair of, decided to plant a Kukui tree as our Peace Tree because it is our state tree and it is native to the Hawaiian islands.  The University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources through Dale Uno provided us with a baby Kukui tree.  Office of Hawaiian Affairs through Trustee John Waihe'e provided the O'o sticks made of Koa to push the dirt on the base of the tree, a fish to be buried at the roots of the tree, and a Hawaiian kahuna to perform the blessing.  Members of the Peace Day Committee and media from KITV and Starbulletin were present for the ceremony.

The Peace Tree will remind us and future generations to do kind acts everyday and strive to reduce violence domestically and internationally.  Through love and compassion, we can all play a role in making our community and world more peaceful.