Shine On By Jan Wizinowich
D
ark times call for light. This is the spirit behind the Peace Pole Project, a movement that is planting beacons for peace across the planet. Since its founding, the Peace Poles Project has spread worldwide with the first poles outside of Japan planted beginning in 1983. More than 200,000 peace poles have been planted in over 200 countries, many in sites of historic and ongoing strife. With the support of the Peace Pole Project promoted by the World Peace Prayer Society, as well as other groups such as Rotary Clubs, the movement continues to grow.
grassroots organization that transcends cultural, religious, and political boundaries with the vision of promoting world peace through the prayer: “May Peace Prevail Upon Earth,” the first Peace Pole with that message, was planted in 1955 in Hiroshima. Putting Hawai‘i Island Peace Poles on the Map On Hawai‘i Island, a committee made up of five East Hawai‘i Rotary Clubs is shining a light on peace through several projects including peace poles. The vision of the Rotary Clubs’ Peace Committee “is not just avoiding conflict, but lifting the community and creating the opportunity for everyone to move forward,” said committee coordinator and Rotary
KeOlaMagazine.com | January - February 2021
Seeking Peace The planting of peace poles emerged from the spiritual journey of Japanese philosopher and author, Masahisa Goi. The Rotary Club of Kona Sunrise installed this peace pole at the West Hawaiÿi Civic Center. photo courtesy of Rotary Club of Kona Sunrise His spiritual path emerged Club of South Hilo member, Charlene Obashi. from the dark hours of post-World War II; he realized in the Five years ago, the committee, which is made up of course of his healing work that people needed help healing members from Rotary Clubs of Hilo, South Hilo, Hilo Bay, their emotional side as well as the physical. To that end, he Pāhoa, and Volcano, began their initial efforts with addressing sought a simple practice that could be done by anyone. homelessness. The first step was to give voice to the needs After completing a course of rigorous spiritual training, 12 of the homeless in East Hawai‘i. This led to several projects Masahisa Goi founded Byakko Shinko Kai, an international