Community Invited to a Peace Walk on Sunday with Mayor Mitch Roth

To kick off the global Peace Week, Hawaiʻi County invites the community to a Peace Walk with the Mayor on Sept. 18 in Hilo.

The event will run from 11 to 2 p.m. and be held in partnership with the Blue Zones Project, Rotary International and Hilo Bayfront Trails.

Food trucks will be on-site, starting at 10 a.m. Entertainment and activities will begin promptly at 11 a.m. There will be a peace pole dedication hosted by Rotary International at 12 p.m, followed by a one-mile walk with Mayor Mitch Roth and the Puna Taiko Group.

This year is the 40th anniversary of the first celebration of the International Day of Peace in 1982; and it also is the 21st anniversary of the 2001 U.N. resolution that forever fixed the date for Peace Day on September 21st for perpetuity.

The Day of Peace connects and coordinates the world’s multitude of peace events and programs and has become the most widely commemorated global day. Peace Week is celebrated around this global day.

The walk in Hilo will begin and end at the Moʻoheau Bandstand, following along the Hilo Bayfront Trails pathway.

“We’re asking our community to join us in solidarity as we promote peace and unity,” Mayor Mitch Roth said. “This great family-friendly event will give us the opportunity to enjoy some ʻono local food and entertainment while enjoying all the Hilo Bayfront Trails have to offer. At a time of so much anger and animosity around the world, this is our chance to be a beacon of hope and aloha.” 

Patrons will also have the opportunity to make their own paper crane with a personal message of peace that will be displayed at the County Building.