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CONTACT: Alice Moon, (808) 933-9772
PEACE PARADE AND FESTIVAL BRINGS NATIONAL TALENT TO HONOKA‘A

The 2nd annual Parade and Festival for the United Nations International Day of Peace is like no other event on the Big Island. The town of Honoka‘a on the Hamakua Coast of the Big Island will join the world in observing the United Nations International Peace Day on Sunday, September 21, 2008, the intent of which is to promote and propagate the values of peace, compassion and interdependence.

The Parade begins at noon featuring a “moving stage” of bands, floats, clubs, school groups, performance artists and dancers who will wind their way down Mamane Street from Honoka‘a High School. Following the parade from 1 to 3 p.m. is a festival celebrating Peace Day in the County Sports Complex with food, vendors, information booths, entertainment and more.

More than 40 groups will perform in the parade and festival this year, including halau hula, bands, taiko drummers, dancers, and other talented performers

The highlight of this year’s parade will be a performance by the Chicago group known as the Jesse White Tumbling Team. Since its inception, more than 10,000 young men and women have benefited from this program, thanks to founder, Jesse White, who is also the Illinois Secretary of State. White established the Jesse White Tumbling Team to serve as a positive alternative for the children residing in Chicago’s public housing communities. He wanted to keep them away from gangs, drugs alcohol and smoking and set the at-risk youth on a path to success. 

This team’s acrobatic performances have been showcased around the world and can frequently be seen during half-time shows for the National Basketball Association, the National Football League and Major League Baseball games. The team has also appeared on Late Night with David Letterman, The Tonight Show starring Jay Leno, Good Morning America and more. They have also been featured in the movies, Heaven is a Playground and Ferris Buehler’s Day Off.

Though they have performed all over the world, this is the team’s first trip to Hawaii, thanks to generous a generous sponsorship by American Airlines.

“I’m honored to bring my team to Hawaii,” said White. “They are looking forward to putting on a show that the community can appreciate and will long remember. We are looking forward to visiting the beautiful island of Hawaii.”

Event chairperson, Miles Okumura, said that bringing the Jesse White Tumbling Team to The 2nd annual Parade and Festival for the United Nations International Day of Peace is an awesome addition to the event.

"The story of Jesse White’s dedication to the inner city youth of Chicago is awe-inspiring,” said Okumura. “He is one of the most influential public officials in the Sate of Illinois, yet for over 40 years he has maintained his passion and dedication to his tumbling program. I hope the people of Hawaii turn out to show their appreciation when he arrives here with his troupe.”

White himself is also excited to be a part of the message that the parade and festival stand for.

“I’m a long believer that there should be peace among the people and nations of the world,” he said. “I appreciate the thought behind this wonderful and meaningful event and I’m just glad we can be a part of it.” 

Also joining in the parade and festival to share their talents as part of the global community supporting the missions of peace and the values of compassion and interdependence are the Rock Bottom Rock Band, Honoka‘a High School Jazz Band, the award-winning Hui Okinawa Taiko Drum group, YWCA keiki hula halau, Kohala Pathfinders Drill Team, and the Hilo Hongwanji Dharma School Ukulele Orchestra, among others.  Peace will be presented in every form — from an individual to a broader focus on local and planetary community issues.

Last year’s event gave the small community of Honoka‘a a big voice with more than 1,500 people in attendance and news coverage on all the major local television network stations.

Hawaii is the only state to have proclaimed a permanent official Peace Day. Proceeds from the Honoka‘a Parade and Festival will go towards community services, including educational programs, charities, environmental activism programs and various peace initiatives.

The Parade and Festival for the United Nations International Day of Peace is presented by the Honokaa Hongwanji Buddhist Temple in cooperation with the United Nations and numerous community organizations. Major sponsors include the County of Hawaii, Department of Research and Development — Tourism Division; Hawaii Honpa Honwanji Buddhist Temple; T. Kaneshiro Stores; and Waianuhea Bed & Breakfast, who is sponsoring the student poster contest.  For parade or vendor application forms, visit www.peacedayparade.org. For more information on how to get involved, call (808) 640-4602 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..