The 7th Annual Peace Day Interfaith Celebration sponsored by the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii was held at Hawaii Betsuin on September 22, 2017. The program’s theme was “Living Peace” and featured many musical performances.
While we did not film the actual performances, we have nevertheless compiled a playlist of various renditions of the songs that we have found online, primarily on YouTube. We hope you enjoy this collection. May it echo the spirit of peace filling the temple hall the evening of the celebration.
(Note: To view photos of the event, please see the Interfaith Events category of our Photo & Video Gallery. You’ll need to look at two pages of this gallery to see all the photos ☺. Thanks to Gay Tanaka and Ruth Tokumi for the photos.)
“This Day of Peace”
This song was composed by Teresa Jennings specifically for International Peace Day. At our 2017 Peace Day event it was performed by the Honolulu Hongwanji Dharma Schools. Here is a version on YouTube that is available for purchase and download at musick8.com.
“Wa”
The piece “Wa” was performed by Pacific Buddhist Academy’s Kyaku Sen Ki Kai Taiko group. In this case, we are providing video of the performance at the Peace Day Interfaith event itself, thanks to a video share by Pastor Timothy Mason of Calvary by the Sea Lutheran Church. Note: You may need to click the volume control at the lower-right corner of the video to hear it.
“May Peace Prevail”
The Hawaii Betsuin Choir, directed by Mari Murakami and accompanied by Francis Okano, sang this song. Here is a rendition performed at the 2015 Hawaii Buddhist Council Bodhi Day Service at Hawaii Betsuin.
“Hallelujah / Aleluya”
Masago Asai and her daughters performed a hula to a Spanish language version of this song, originally composed by Leonard Cohen. Here is a Spanish-language version as performed by Paola Miranda.
“Let There Be Peace on Earth”
The Gay Men’s Chorus of Honolulu performed this song at our event. Here is a version sung by the Harlem Boys’ Choir.
“Plucking Wei / Homecoming After the War”
This dance was performed by the Mun Lun Chinese Folk Dance Group. We found a version of the dance on Instagram and have embedded it here.
“Sanctuary”
This song was performed by the Harris United Methodist Church Ukulele Fellowship. Here is another version with ukelele as found on the MunsonCovers YouTube channel, offered with instructional captions.
“I Dream a World”
The Hawaii Betsuin Choir returned to the front of the hall to sing “I Dream a World.” Here is a version performed by a combined choir at the 2016 Choralfest hosted at Hawaii Betsuin.
“Imagine”
This John Lennon song was performed by Calvary by the Sea Choir. Of the many renditions to choose from on YouTube, we selected this one — which includes sign language — from the TV show Glee.
“Hawai’i Aloha”
The 2017 Peace Day Interfaith Celebration concluded with all attendees singing Hawai’i Aloha together. The version embedded here is a Playing For Change Collaboration, one of the “Songs Across Hawai’i.”