His Holiness Arrives in Hawaii to Begin United States visit/ENG

2012. április 14./CTA/TibetPress

His Holiness the Dalai Lama arrived in Honolulu, Hawaii, on 13 April 2012 evening to begin a four-state visit to the United States, followed by a trip to Canada. This is his fourth visit to the Hawaii islands following his first trip in October 1980 and subsequently in April 1994 and April 2007.

On his arrival at the airport, His Holiness was received by Governor of Hawaii State, Neil Abercrombie, his wife Dr. Nancy Caraway; Mayor of the City and County of Honolulu Peter B. Carlisle; Kasur Lobsang Nyandak Zayul, Representative of H.H. the Dalai Lama for the Americas, and hosts Pierre and Pam Omidyar as well as Kelvin Taketa, president and CEO of the Hawaii Community Foundation.

At the hotel there was a crowd of people including, monks of Tibetan Buddhist centers in Hawaii, Tibetans, Nepalese, Bhutanese, Indians and Americans, and others who welcomed His Holiness.

Thereafter, a select group of students from the Kamehameha Schools sang a song, Aloha Chant, song of welcome and a brief dance performance. In brief remarks, His Holiness told the students that although he had been to Hawaii a few times and was used to the traditional welcome, he greatly appreciated their genuine smile saying this supported his contention that fundamentally we are all same human being.

His Holiness then retired for the day.

On 14 April 2012, His Holiness will give a public talk at the University of Hawaii on the topic, “Educating the Heart” during which he is expected to discuss with students the importance of practicing tolerance, perseverance, and persistence in everyday life. Webcast can be viewed from http://dalaila.ma/HzbQLE from 1:30pm  Hawaii time (GMT: 11:30 pm, Tibet: 7:30 am on April 15, India: 5:00 am April 15)

On 15 April, His Holiness will participate in a panel discussion with Native Hawaiian leaders on “The Importance of Native Intelligence in Modern Times” at the University of Hawaii’s East-West Center. This discussion will be webcast from http://dalaila.ma/HzbQLE from 9:45am Hawaii time (GMT: 7:45 pm, Tibet: 3:45 am on April 16, India: 1:15 am April 16)

On April 15 afternoon, His Holiness will give a public talk about “Advancing Peace through the Power of Aloha” at the University of Hawaii. Webcast can be viewed from http://dalaila.ma/HzbQLE from 1:30pm Hawaii time (GMT: 11:30 pm, Tibet: 7:30 am on April 16, India: 5:00 am April 16)

The visit by His Holiness to Hawaii is part of a new initiative called “Pillars of Peace Hawaii: Building Peace on a Foundation of Aloha.”  (http://www.pillarsofpeacehawaii.org), which is sponsored by the Hawaii Community Foundation through a lead grant from the Omidyar Ohana Fund and other funders.

Kelvin Taketa, who is the president and CEO of the Hawaii Community Foundation, told a participant of the events about his expectations saying, “we think His Holiness’ visit is really the beginning, and we hope the people of Hawaii will not only feel proud but a sense of renewed commitment to the ways we celebrate our differences, and the ways we preserve not only our physical environment but also our inner beauty.”

Pillars of Peace says, “The program aims to bring global peace leaders to Hawaii to share ideas about actively practicing peace and aloha in our daily lives, both at home and around the world.”

It adds, “The opportunity for His Holiness the Dalai Lama to visit Hawaii is a rare and valuable one that will greatly benefit island residents—students and adults alike. The visit is designed as a mutual exchange of cultural values and historical lessons that is sure to spark discussion and contemplation within and beyond Hawaii.”

The Pillars of Peace concludes, “it’s a chance to learn from the Dalai Lama’s experiences in seeking to achieve peace and inspire compassion in people around the world.”

During this trip, in addition to Hawaii, His Holiness will visit California, Minnesota and Illinois states in the United States. He will end his trip in Ottawa, Canada.

Secretary Chhime R. Chhoekyapa and Secretary Tsegyam Ngapa are accompanying His Holiness for this visit.

A report and photos during His Holiness’ first visit to the Hawaii islands in 1980 can be seen on the website of Nechung Dorje Drayang Ling (http://www.nechung.org/hhdl.shtml) which had hosted the visit.