Malu Aina, Jim Albertini, President

Prison video and discussion in Hilo Friday May lst

2009-04-30T11:02:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends and those concerned about our pa`ahao in Suguaro Correctional Facility (prison) in Eloy, Arizona.

You are invited to view a YouTube video of the New Hope Chapel access to Suguaro prison.

PLACE: Ka Huina Gallery, 128 Kilauea Ave., Tel. 935-4420

TIME: Tomorrow, Friday, 6 PM, (May 1, 2009)

WHAT: View a YouTube video produced by New Hope Chapel on entry to Suguaro prison

WHY: To discuss why they had easy access while the Hawaiian Spiritual and Religious group face roadblocks in their Makahiki program

WHO: All interested people! (Invite others)

EXTRA: Skippy Ioane has been invited to sing two songs from his new album "Wiley Kanak"

Possible Pablo Rivera will also sing.
Sponsored by Ohana Ho'opakele

Jim Albertini

Malu ‘Aina Center for Non-violent Education & Action

P.O.Box AB

Kurtistown, Hawai’i 96760

phone: 808-966-7622

email: JA@interpac.net

Visit us on the web at: www.malu-aina.org

Peace meeting Monday, April 27th Keaau 7PM

2009-04-26T18:20:00.000-07:00

Aloha Peace Ohana,
Reminder: There will be a peace organizing meeting on Monday, April 27th from 7-9PM at the Keaau Community Center. Among items for discussion are:
Evaluation of GMO county reso against GMO pre-emption.
l.. Malu Aina Volunteer farm day Saturday, May 2nd 9-ll:30 Am with pot luck to follow and a l hour vision meeting to follow on how best to use the land to serve our community.
2. Mayor's prayer breakfast Thursday May 7th 7AM theme: "Support the Troops"
3. Cancel the lease at Pohakuloa campaign
Evaluation of earth day: Pohakuloa UHH table and walk at PTA
4. Stop the wars campaign
etc.
Come, bring a friend and your ideas and energy. Please pass the word to others. Mahalo.

Jim Albertini

Malu ‘Aina Center for Non-violent Education & Action

P.O.Box AB

Kurtistown, Hawai’i 96760

phone: 808-966-7622

email: JA@interpac.net

Visit us on the web at: www.malu-aina.org

April 24, 2009 Hilo Peace Vigil leaflet (BIP)

2009-04-23T17:01:00.000-07:00

The Looting of America

                                                            Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke

     Schools are being closed, and other government services and human needs programs are being eliminated or reduced all over the country due to budget cuts. The Social Security surplus is disappearing fast in the economic downturn.

    The public treasury is being plundered for the benefit of the very bankers and speculators who are responsible for the financial crash. Further bailout measures are being drawn up in the closest consultation with the Wall Street insiders who stand to profit from them.

    The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) was established 76 years ago, in the depths of the Great Depression, to provide a government guarantee, initially up to $5,000 and now up to $250,000, on the bank deposits of small savers. Now the FDIC is being transformed to guaranteeing the investments of multimillionaire investment fund managers. And, this is occurring without even a vote by Congress.

     It's worth repeating: Obama needs to fire his Wall St. cronies -- chief financial advisor, Larry Summers, Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, etc, all those who helped create the financial crisis in the first place.   Instead of bailing out the banks, put up money to guarantee everyone a job or income and stop foreclosures and evictions.

     DO THE MATH: Just $1 trillion out of the $12 trillion Washington has committed to the banks could pay for 20 million jobs with salaries of $50,000 a year! That would wipe out unemployment and underemployment in Hawaii and the U.S. $l2 trillion could pay for pensions for millions of working senior citizens, open up new jobs for younger workers, pay-off defaulting home mortgages, and purchase lots of solar electric home systems and fuel efficient vehicles and mass transit.

     The important question is -- where do you put the money? At the top where the economic problems were created, or at the bottom to really help people in need and the economy.

Stop the Wars & Bail Out the Poor

1. Mourn all victims of violence. 2. Reject war as a solution. 3. Defend civil liberties. 4. Oppose all discrimination, anti-Islamic, anti-Semitic, etc. 5. Seek peace through justice in Hawai`i and around the world.
Contact: Malu `Aina Center for Non-violent Education & Action P.O. Box AB Kurtistown, Hawai`i 96760.
Phone (808) 966-7622. Email ja@interpac.net http://www.malu-aina.org
Hilo Peace Vigil leaflet (April 24, 2009 - 397th week) - Friday 3:30-5PM downtown Post Office

Jim Albertini

Malu ‘Aina Center for Non-violent Education & Action

P.O.Box AB

Kurtistown, Hawai’i 96760

phone: 808-966-7622

email: JA@interpac.net

Visit us on the web at: www.malu-aina.org

[Fwd: This Earth Day - Protect Hawaii's Local Agriculture]

2009-04-21T10:52:00.000-07:00

FYI

Jim Albertini

Malu ‘Aina Center for Non-violent Education & Action

P.O.Box AB

Kurtistown, Hawai’i 96760

phone: 808-966-7622

email: JA@interpac.net

Visit us on the web at: www.malu-aina.org

April l7, 2009 Hilo Peace Vigil leaflet (BIP)

2009-04-16T19:53:00.000-07:00

Simple Solution To Bailout!

The Business Section in The St. Petersburg Times, Florida, Newspaper asked readers for ideas on "how to fix the economy". I thought that this was the best one. This guy was right on.

Dear Mr. President,
Patriotic Retirement: There are about forty million people over fifty years of age in the work force in the U.S. Give each one of them one million dollars severance pay with these stipulations. (For smaller numbers shift the age to 60)

     #1. They leave their jobs.
     BINGO!! Forty million new jobs.
     Unemployment fixed.

     #2 They buy a new American made automobile.
     BINGO!! Again - Auto industry fixed.

     #3 They buy a new home or pay off their mortgage.
     BINGO!!! Again- Housing crisis fixed.

     Like I have been saying, they are bailing out the wrong people.

End the Ways of Empire!
Cut the military & prison budgets!

The military and prison industrial complexes are two sides of the same coin of empire. In fiscal year 2009 the U.S. will spend $965 billion for the military (more than the next l5 countries combined.) A similar exorbitant amount is spent on prisons when local, state and federal expenditures are tallied. The U.S. has more than 2 million people behind bars. That's more people per capita than any country on earth. Our tax dollars are continuing to fuel war and occupation abroad and increasing repression at home. We need to end the ways of empire and establish consistent domestic and foreign policies of peace and justice. We need to stop the wars and end the occupations of Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Kingdom of Hawaii too. We need to change priorities away from bailing out Wall St. bankers. We need to feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, and fund constructive alternatives to prison. We need universal health care, jobs, income, and education for all.

No More Bailouts for Wall St. Bankers and War!

1. Mourn all victims of violence. 2. Reject war as a solution. 3. Defend civil liberties. 4. Oppose all discrimination, anti-Islamic, anti-Semitic, etc. 5. Seek peace through justice in Hawai`i and around the world.
Contact: Malu `Aina Center for Non-violent Education & Action P.O. Box AB Kurtistown, Hawai`i 96760.
Phone (808) 966-7622. Email ja@interpac.net http://www.malu-aina.org
Hilo Peace Vigil leaflet (April l7, 2009 - 396th week) - Friday 3:30-5PM downtown Post Office

Jim Albertini

Malu ‘Aina Center for Non-violent Education & Action

P.O.Box AB

Kurtistown, Hawai’i 96760

phone: 808-966-7622

email: JA@interpac.net

Visit us on the web at: www.malu-aina.org

Special interest money rules

2009-04-13T19:45:00.000-07:00

Sad day in Hawaii County. Special interest money rules. See below message from Dominic Yagong and my testimony on the issue.
Jim

Aloha James,  Thank you very much for your email.  I was very saddened by the vote today taken by the Hawaii County Council.  The vote was 6-3 in favor of supporting the ill advised legislative bill that suspends Act 244 until 2014.    I really tried my best, and so did Mr. Hoffmann and Ms. Ford.  Thank you so much for your feedback on this very important matter.  I sincerely wish I had better news for you.  Much Aloha -  Councilmember Dominic Yagong

Aloha Council members,
I oppose resolution 098. I support the Clean Elections pilot program for Hawaii County. We need to get special interest money out of elections and level the playing field. The project is legal, has worked well in other places like Arizona and will enable more people to run for office, giving a fresh spirit to the democratic process.
Stand with the grassroots before special interests. Mahalo.

Jim Albertini

Malu ‘Aina Center for Non-violent Education & Action

P.O.Box AB

Kurtistown, Hawai’i 96760

phone: 808-966-7622

email: JA@interpac.net

Visit us on the web at: www.malu-aina.org

Aloha James, Thank you very much for your email. I was very saddened by the vote today taken by the Hawaii County Council. The vote was 6-3 in favor of supporting the ill advised legislative bill that suspends Act 244 until 2014. I really tried my best, and so did Mr. Hoffmann and Ms. Ford. Thank you so much for your feedback on this very important matter. I sincerely wish I had better news for you. Much Aloha - Councilmember Dominic Yagong -----Original Message----- From: ja@interpac.net [mailto:ja@interpac.net] Sent: Sunday, April 05, 2009 7:11 PM To: dyagong@co.hawaii.hi.us Subject: Don't Undermine Fair Elections! Councilman Dominic Yagong Aloha Councilman Yagong, At a time in Hawaii when people are more aware than ever about special interest money and politics, we are counting on you to protect Act 244. The people have spoken, and there is overwhelming support for this law. Mainland money is having negative effects on Hawaii's elections and economy, and the Fair Elections Act would empower small businesses and communities because more people will be more engaged in the political process. The people have spoken on this bill. For ten years, tens of thousands of citizens have weighed in on this law. A 2005 AARP survey also concluded that 86% of Hawaii's residents believe there should be changes in the way we finance our campaigns. People understand the corrosive impacts of money on the lawmaking process: excessive health care costs are forcing small businesses to close; our entire energy infrastructure is based on technology that has been outdated for 60 years; short term profits are trumping long term sustainable solutions to our biggest problems. I'm counting on you to listen to the people and do what is right by protecting the Fair Elections Act Sincerely, James Albertini P.O. Box AB Kurtistown, HI 96760

Reminder: peace meeting tonight

2009-04-13T13:04:00.000-07:00

Aloha Peace Ohana,
Reminder: peace meeting tonight, Monday, April l3th at the Keaau Community Center 7-9PM
Among items for discussion are follow up to UHH free-speech flap, follow up on Pohakuloa DU issue and Obama's expanding war in Afghanistan and Pakistan
Please come with your ideas and bring a friend or two.
Mahalo.
Meetings are held on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of the Month so mark your calendar. Upcoming meetings are Mondays: April 27th and May llth.

Jim Albertini

Malu ‘Aina Center for Non-violent Education & Action

P.O.Box AB

Kurtistown, Hawai’i 96760

phone: 808-966-7622

email: JA@interpac.net

Visit us on the web at: www.malu-aina.org

April l0, 2009 Hilo peace vigil leaflet (BIP)

2009-04-09T22:45:00.000-07:00

GOOD FRIDAY
Modern Day Crucifixion -- Launching the Drone Wars from Hawaii to Pakistan

    Today is Good Friday in the Christian calendar, the day Jesus was executed by the Roman Empire for the crime of sedition (stirring up the people) in occupied Palestine. One's standpoint determines one's viewpoint. From Jesus' standpoint, and all those nailed to the cross of empire, there was nothing good about "Good Friday." For the Roman Empire and their local collaborators, it was "Good Friday" indeed. They got rid of another troublemaker, or so they thought.

     The Romans, like all empires, believed in a myth -- that violence was a solution to problems. Jesus knew otherwise -- that being willing to die, but not to kill, is the way to new life, justice and peace. His witness proved that the blood of martyrs is the seed of a new movement of non-violent resistance, what others call -- the church. For over 200 years to be a member of this new church meant you refused to participate in the wars of empire. Thousands were crucified for their refusal and the church grew by leaps and bounds.

      What of us today in the American Empire, after six years of war and occupation in Iraq, eight years of war and occupation in Afghanistan, and ll6 years of occupation of the Kingdom of Hawaii? The silence of "the church" today in Hawaii is deafening? Where are the voices of conscience in our local churches today speaking out for justice and peace and against war and occupation? How many Christians are refusing to participate in the wars of empire? How many churches are actively supporting the empire's wars?

     In 2 days of testimony this week about the militarization and desecration of the sacred temple of Mauna Kea, there wasn't one church leader (Christian, Buddhist, or otherwise) who spoke in solidarity with Hawaii's host people, the Kanaka Maoli calling out for justice and respect, and a halt to development on the mountain.   The military has plans for a Pan Stars telescope on Mauna Kea for tracking "enemy" satellites to be destroyed in U.S. pre-emptive wars. A new billion dollar 30-meter telescope is also in the works. Kihei Soli Niheu says that the desecration on Mauna Kea is part of the ongoing illegal occupation of the Kingdom of Hawaii that must end.

     Increasingly, the sacred mountains of both Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa are being militarized by expanded military live-fire training at Pohakuloa, including Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) otherwise known as drone airplanes. U.S. hunter-killer drones (MQ-1 Predators and more advanced MQ-9 Reapers) are now being used widely as surveillance and missile-firing aircraft in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan. U.S. Centcom commander General David Petraeus calls this drone form of modern crucifixion "the right of last resort" to take out "threats" (as well as innocent people who just happen to be in the vicinity). Large numbers of innocent people are now fleeing their homes due to U.S. drone attacks in Central Asia.

Good Friday is a good day to break the silence
and be stirred into action

1. Mourn all victims of violence. 2. Reject war as a solution. 3. Defend civil liberties. 4. Oppose all discrimination, anti-Islamic, anti-Semitic, etc. 5. Seek peace through justice in Hawai`i and around the world.
Contact: Malu `Aina Center for Non-violent Education & Action P.O. Box AB Kurtistown, Hawai`i 96760.
Phone (808) 966-7622. Email ja@interpac.net http://www.malu-aina.org
Hilo Peace Vigil leaflet (April l0, 2009 - 395th week) - Friday 3:30-5PM downtown Post Office

Jim Albertini

Malu ‘Aina Center for Non-violent Education & Action

P.O.Box AB

Kurtistown, Hawai’i 96760

phone: 808-966-7622

email: JA@interpac.net

Visit us on the web at: www.malu-aina.org

April 9, 2009 Mauna Kea testimony

2009-04-09T00:57:00.000-07:00

Testimony to the Board of Land & Natural Resources
April 9, 2009
Re: University of Hawaii Mauna Kea Comprehensive management Plan (CMP)

Aloha Kakou,
Mahalo for coming to Hilo for this hearing.

     My name is Jim Albertini. I'm president of a non-profit peace farm Malu Aina in Kurtistown, that grows food to share with people in need and to support work for justice, peace and preserving the environment.
I'm here today to stand in solidarity with grassroots Kanaka Maoli in opposition to this Comprehensive management Plan which is really a development plan for more observatories in disguise

     I want to start with a short story of my first trip to the summit of Mauna Kea many years ago before I became aware of the controversy over development on the mountain.

     On my first trip to the summit of Mauna Kea, I took with me three visiting friends. All were Roman Catholic priests. One from Italy, one from the the Philippines , and one from the U.S. We wanted to go to the mountain to pray for justice and peace in the world. Given our shared Judeo/Christian roots, all 4 of us were well aware of the the words of the prophet Isaiah Chapter 2: verse 2-4 which translates. "In the days to come, Ke Akua's hale shall be established on the highest mountain... All nations shall stream toward it; many peoples will say: "Come, let us climb Ke Akua's mountain to the hale of Ke Akua, that Ke Akua may instruct us in his ways, and we may walk in his paths...   Ke Akua shall judge between the nations and impose terms on many peoples. They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks; One nation shall not raise the sword against another, nor shall they train for war again."

     That day many years ago, when we got to the mountain top, to the hale of Ke Akua, we found the vista blocked by observatories and what we saw all around was construction debris though no construction was going on. In the distance we could hear the bombing at Pohakuloa. We offered prayers for justice and peace, stood in awe, placed ho'okupu at the Hawaiian ahu and then started our decent. After a time of quiet reflection, ne priest after another shared thoughts of the mountain. How special it was to come there. But there was a shared concern how science had dominated the very mountaintop instead of staying down a few hundred feet from the summit out of respect. The construction debris left also spoke of a disrespect to spiritual values, especially those of the host culture, the Kanaka Maoli. The military's bombing of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa below at Pohakuloa is another example of profound disrespect. Now the military's plan for a Pan Stars telescope on Mauna Kea is a further militarization of the mountain by tracking satellites to be destroyed as part of U.S. first-strike pre-emptive nuclear war plans.

     The scripture reading from Isaiah says that Ke Akua's hale should be a place of peace. For peace to be genuine and pono, it must be built on a foundation of justice and respect, especially for the host culture. Where is the justice, when Kanaka Maoli have to file suit to be heard? Where is the justice when science dominates the spiritual? Where is the justice in one dollar a year rent? Where is the justice when the very entity (the Univ. of Hawaii) responsible for the history of disrespect and injustice is now contracting the management plan? It will take a lot more than the Chamber of Commerce people wearing Malama Mauna Kea t- shirts to convince me there are not hidden concerns for dollar signs on the back side of those shirts.

     Allow me to make another analogy of the conflict of interest of having the University, rather than Kanaka Maoli practitioners, do a CMP for Mauna Kea.
The University's track record of poor management has created the polarization in our community between astronomy and Kanaka Maoli and environmental concerns. It's been said that the University is like the fox in the chicken coup with feathers in its mouth and broken eggs all around. You don't put the fox in charge of the CMP for the hen house. A modern day analogy is this. To put the University in charge of a CMP for Mauna kea is like putting the Wall St. Bankers in charge of a CMP for the financial crisis. These are the guys that created the crisis.

     Obama needs to can his Wall St. cronies and the BLNR needs to pull the plug on the University. If you want a real CMP put Paul Neves, Keala Pischotta, Ku Ching and other Kanaka Maoli practitioners and the Sierra Club in charge.Guaranteed you'll get a genuine CMP.

     Arthur Hoke is concerned about some lolo driving a bull dozer up Mauna Kea. Hello Arthur, where have you been for the past 40 years. The University has been driving bull dozers up Mauna Kea, destroying pu'u, burials, cultural and historic sites and endangered species habitat, etc. to build their telescopes. But it's not just you Arthur. We all should have done more to protect Mauna Kea. Every single one of us.

     In the final anyalsis, I agree with Kihe Soli Niheu. The desecration of Mauna Kea is part of an illegal occupation. It's a symptom. True peace with justice, the process of becoming pono, demands an end to U.S. occupation and the restoration of independent Kingdom of Hawaii.

     Amen.

Jim Albertini

Malu ‘Aina Center for Non-violent Education & Action

P.O.Box AB

Kurtistown, Hawai’i 96760

phone: 808-966-7622

email: JA@interpac.net

Visit us on the web at: www.malu-aina.org

[Fwd: Protect Hawaii's local Agriculture Tomorrow - Wednesday, April 8th, 10 am]

2009-04-07T21:17:00.000-07:00

FYI Please come to the council hearing Wednesday to testify. Pass the word to others please. Send in testimony as well.
Mahalo.

Jim Albertini

Malu ‘Aina Center for Non-violent Education & Action

P.O.Box AB

Kurtistown, Hawai’i 96760

phone: 808-966-7622

email: JA@interpac.net

Visit us on the web at: www.malu-aina.org

[Fwd: Please HELP!] Clean Elections Action needed now

2009-04-05T22:24:00.000-07:00

FYI Please take three minutes for this important action. And please pass on to others. Mahalo.

Jim Albertini

Malu 'Aina Center for Non-violent Education & Action

P.O.Box AB

Kurtistown, Hawai'i 96760

phone: 808-966-7622

email: JA@interpac.net

Visit us on the web at: www.malu-aina.org

[Fwd: Protect Local Agriculture - Wednesday, April 8th, 10 am]

2009-04-03T23:09:00.000-07:00

FYI Another important message to pass on for action
Mahalo.

Jim Albertini

Malu ‘Aina Center for Non-violent Education & Action

P.O.Box AB

Kurtistown, Hawai’i 96760

phone: 808-966-7622

email: JA@interpac.net

Visit us on the web at: www.malu-aina.org

[Fwd: Fwd: Act Now to Protect Mauna Kea - Decision on April 9!]

2009-04-03T23:07:00.000-07:00

FYI Please pass on to others and take action to protect Mauna Kea
Mahalo.

Jim Albertini

Malu 'Aina Center for Non-violent Education & Action

P.O.Box AB

Kurtistown, Hawai'i 96760

phone: 808-966-7622

email: JA@interpac.net

Visit us on the web at: www.malu-aina.org

April 3, 2009 Hilo Peace Vigil leaflet (BIP)

2009-04-02T20:51:00.000-07:00

STOP U.S. WAR FUNDING!

     In Fiscal Year 2009 the U.S. will spend $965 billion for the military (more than the next l5 countries combined). That $965 billion is more than $ll0 million every hour, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The so called "War on Terror" including the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are absorbing $20 million per hour, 24/7/365.

     HOW THESE FIGURES WERE DETERMINED: Current military includes Dept. of Defense ($653 billion), the military portion from other departments ($150 billion), and an additional $162 billion to supplement the Budget’s misleading and vast underestimate of only $38 billion for the “war on terror.” The bottom line is that 54 cents out of every U.S. tax dollar goes to support war (past & present). Source: War Resisters League, N.Y. See wrl@warresisters.org

Obama is Escalating rather than Ending the wars!

     The new military strategy announced by President Barack Obama and his military leaders call for the build-up of tens of thousands of troops in Afghanistan. This marks a major escalation of the war in Afghanistan and the official transformation of Pakistan into a theater of US military action.

We need a Stop the Wars and
Bail Out The People's Movement!

     Since March 2008, the federal government has committed almost $10 TRILLION of the people’s money to bailouts for Wall Street and the banks, including multi-million dollar bonuses to underserving corporate officials. It hasn’t worked to revive the economy.

     Obama needs to fire his Wall St. cronies -- chief financial advisor, Larry Summers, Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, etc, all those who helped create the financial crisis in the first place.   Instead of bailing out the banks, nationalize the banks. Put up money to guarantee everyone a job or income and stop foreclosures and evictions.

     DO THE MATH: Just $1 trillion out of the $10 trillion Washington has committed to the banks could pay for 20 million jobs with salaries of $50,000 a year! That would wipe out unemployment and underemployment in Hawaii and the U.S. $l0 trillion could pay for pensions for millions of working senior citizens, open up new jobs for younger workers, pay-off defaulting home mortgages, and purchase lots of solar electric home systems and fuel efficient vehicles and mass transit. It's just a question -- where do you put the money? At the top where the economic problems were created, or at the bottom to really help people in need and the economy.

HULI THE "FILTHY ROTTEN SYSTEM"

1. Mourn all victims of violence. 2. Reject war as a solution. 3. Defend civil liberties. 4. Oppose all discrimination, anti-Islamic, anti-Semitic, etc. 5. Seek peace through justice in Hawai`i and around the world.
Contact: Malu `Aina Center for Non-violent Education & Action P.O. Box AB Kurtistown, Hawai`i 96760. Phone (808) 966-7622. Email ja@interpac.net http://www.malu-aina.org

Hilo Peace Vigil leaflet (April 3, 2009 - 394th week) - Friday 3:30-5PM downtown Post Office

Jim Albertini

Malu ‘Aina Center for Non-violent Education & Action

P.O.Box AB

Kurtistown, Hawai’i 96760

phone: 808-966-7622

email: JA@interpac.net

Visit us on the web at: www.malu-aina.org

Malu Aina volunteer farm day, Saturday, April 4

2009-03-31T00:18:00.000-07:00

Aloha Peace friends,

There will be a Malu 'Aina volunteer farm day this Sat., April 4th, from 9-llAM followed by a pot luck lunch and a vision discussion. April 4th is the 4lst anniversary of the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.so bring a favorite quote to share of Martin.
On the farm we need to put a new cover on our screen house and it would be good to plant another taro patch if we have time as well. Please pass the word and bring a friend. Still no word on the Governor signing the Legacy Land cost/share funding for the adjoining parcel. I'll keep you posted. Mahalo.

Jim Albertini

Malu ‘Aina Center for Non-violent Education & Action

P.O.Box AB

Kurtistown, Hawai’i 96760

phone: 808-966-7622

email: JA@interpac.net

Visit us on the web at: www.malu-aina.org

March 27, 2009 Hilo Peace vigil leaflet (BIP)

2009-03-26T20:09:00.000-07:00

Back to Basics:
What are we all about?

     After 7 years of war and occupation in Afghanistan, six years of war and occuapation in Iraq, an increasing loss of civil liberties at home, and now growing economic collapse, no wonder more and more people are feeling fearful and desperate. In such times, it's important to return to core principles of non-violence. In the face of escalating violence, its easy to forget who we are and lose a sense of our own humanity. The winds of war and war and repression can shake the ground upon which we stand, our very foundation, and make us question core beliefs.

     In this our 393rd consecutive week (approaching 8 years) of the Hilo Peace Vigil, each week we've shared a new leaflet but the five points at the bottom remain the same. The main them of all of our leaflets and the core of why we vigil is a deep belief in the principles of non-violence. Non-violence says that the way to peace is through peace, not war. And that peace, to be real and sustaining, must be built on a foundation of justice. Put another way -- the means we use must be in line with the end that we seek, despite the temptation of the "quick fix" of a little "necessary" violence here and a little "necessary" violence there. History shows that violence begets violence, or as Gandhi said, "an eye-for-an-eye now threatens to make the whole world blind."

     So let us be clear, Malu 'Aina rejects war as a solution to anything. We reject violence as a means to an end. We reject the legitimacy of the U.S. empire, any empire, lording it over others, through occupation. The occupations of Iraq, Afghanistan, Palestine and Hawai'i -- all must end. In the struggles for justice and peace we affirm principled non-violent action, as exemplified by the lives of people such as Jesus and Gandhi, and local martyrs in the efforts to Free Hawaii, such as George Helm.

    Principles of non-violent action include: l. Trying to keep our hearts full of aloha at all times; 2. Never killing, injuring or even hating our opponents (hate is too grate a burden to bear); 3. Committing ourselves with perseverance; 4. Staying united in principle and vision for justice and peace; 5. Disobeying orders of authorities that violate our dignity and humanity. 6. Never giving up.

     Martin Luther King Jr. said, "The ultimate weakness of violence is that it is a descending spiral, begetting the very thing that it seeks to destroy. Instead of diminishing evil, it multiplies it. Through violence you may murder the liar but you cannot murder the lie, nor establish the truth. Through violence you murder the hater, but you do not murder the hate... Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that."

     None of us are perfect. So as we get weary from years of struggle, disheartened from the slow pace of positive change, or seeing negative change happening in our midst, let us renew our vision for the long haul. No lie can live forever.    Let us help one another to keep our eyes on the prize: committed people-power non-violent action is a power for good that can overcome the greatest evils, and weapons of war, before us.

Make Peace! Work for Justice!
Live Non-violence!

1. Mourn all victims of violence. 2. Reject war as a solution. 3. Defend civil liberties. 4. Oppose all discrimination, anti-Islamic, anti-Semitic, etc. 5. Seek peace through justice in Hawai`i and around the world.
Contact: Malu `Aina Center for Non-violent Education & Action P.O. Box AB Kurtistown, Hawai`i 96760.
Phone (808) 966-7622. Email ja@interpac.net http://www.malu-aina.org
Hilo Peace Vigil leaflet (March 27, 2009 - 393rd week) - Friday 3:30-5PM downtown Post Office

Jim Albertini

Malu ‘Aina Center for Non-violent Education & Action

P.O.Box AB

Kurtistown, Hawai’i 96760

phone: 808-966-7622

email: JA@interpac.net

Visit us on the web at: www.malu-aina.org

[Fwd: Admiral Farragut's torpedoes and the Hawai'i Superferry]

2009-03-25T11:05:00.000-07:00

FYI Good one on the Superferry. Pass on

Jim Albertini

Malu ‘Aina Center for Non-violent Education & Action

P.O.Box AB

Kurtistown, Hawai’i 96760

phone: 808-966-7622

email: JA@interpac.net

Visit us on the web at: www.malu-aina.org

[Fwd: Fw: Do you think the Hawaii Superferry should be allowed to resume service?]

2009-03-23T10:55:00.000-07:00

FYI Please pass it on.

Jim Albertini

Malu 'Aina Center for Non-violent Education & Action

P.O.Box AB

Kurtistown, Hawai'i 96760

phone: 808-966-7622

email: JA@interpac.net

Visit us on the web at: www.malu-aina.org

Reminder of peace organizing meeting Monday 7-9PM Keaau Com. ctr

2009-03-22T20:42:00.000-07:00

Aloha Peace Ohana,
Reminder: There will be a Peace organizing meeting on Monday, March 23rd from 7-9PM at the Kea'au Community Center
We have peace meetings on the 2nd and 4th Monday's of the month. Upcoming meetings include April l3th and April 27th so please mark you calendar.
Items for the March 23rd meeting include
l. evaluating the UHH free-speech public forum issue that resulted at the March l2th UHH forum on Abu Ghraib.
2. Galen Kelly wants to lead a discussion on the 2nd amendment.
3. Danny Li will lead a discussion on the "Obama Mystique & the Progressive Response
4. Possible challenge to Christian churches on Palm Sunday, April 5th and/or something to commemorate the assassination of Martin Lurther King, Jr. April 4th.
There is time to share announcements of other upcoming events, and add items to the agenda. Please come and bring a friend.
Mahalo.

Jim Albertini

Malu ‘Aina Center for Non-violent Education & Action

P.O.Box AB

Kurtistown, Hawai’i 96760

phone: 808-966-7622

email: JA@interpac.net

Visit us on the web at: www.malu-aina.org

March 23, 2009 Peace Organizing meeting 7PM in Keaau

2009-03-20T12:21:00.000-07:00

Aloha Peace Ohana,
Reminder: There will be a Peace organizing meeting on Monday, March 23rd from 7-9PM at the Kea'au Community Center
We have peace meetings on the 2nd and 4th Monday's of the month. Upcoming meetings include April l3th and April 27th so please mark you calendar.
Items for the March 23rd meeting include
l. evaluating the UHH free-speech public forum issue that resulted at the March l2th UHH forum on Abu Ghraib.
2. Galen Kelly wants to lead a discussion on the 2nd amendment.
3. Possible challenge to Christian churches on Palm Sunday, April 5th and/or something to commemorate the assassination of Martin Lurther King, Jr. April 4th.
There is time to share announcements of other upcoming events, and add items to the agenda. Please come and bring a friend.
Mahalo.

Jim Albertini

Malu ‘Aina Center for Non-violent Education & Action

P.O.Box AB

Kurtistown, Hawai’i 96760

phone: 808-966-7622

email: JA@interpac.net

Visit us on the web at: www.malu-aina.org

Peace activist Mike Noe dies

2009-03-19T23:16:00.000-07:00

Peace activist, and Malu 'Aina resident for 7 years during the l990s, Lucien "Mike" Noe, died this morning at Hilo Hospital. He was 79. Mike had been under Hospice care for several years with emphysema and recently had surgery for appendicitis.
A memorial service is pending. Mike has asked that his ashes be scattered here at Malu Aina Farm under a Neem tree he planted.
He is survived by 3 children and several grand children. I'll post more details of the memorial as they become available. Please keep Mike and his family in your prayers. Mahalo.

Jim Albertini

Malu ‘Aina Center for Non-violent Education & Action

P.O.Box AB

Kurtistown, Hawai’i 96760

phone: 808-966-7622

email: JA@interpac.net

Visit us on the web at: www.malu-aina.org

March 20, 2009 Hilo Peace Vigil leaflet (BIP)

2009-03-19T15:54:00.000-07:00

SIX LONG YEARS OF WAR!

     Six years ago yesterday, the Bush administration launched its 'Shock and Awe' assault on Iraq, thus beginning what has turned into one of the longest and most costly military engagements in U.S. history.

     We know what the war and occupation in Iraq has cost: more than one million Iraqis killed; five million Iraqis displaced from their homes; over 4,000 U.S. military troops killed and tens of thousands wounded; more than $600 billion of U.S. tax dollars spent; one of the oldest civilizations on earth brought to ruins. Six long years of a war that never should have happened, an imperial war based on lies and corporate greed. It is enough -- it is too much.

     Today, our hearts are heavy as we remember all who have died and suffered.   Our work is far from over, as the illegal and immoral wars and occupations of both Iraq and Afghanistan continue. Let us not forget the date of the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan -- Oct. 7, 200l. Seven years counting and escalating there. Casualties mount as President Obama shifts troops from Iraq to Afghanistan, and increases attacks deeper into Pakistan.

     Peace activist, Cindy Sheehan, whose son, Casey, died 5 years ago in Iraq says: "It is our shame that we as a nation complacently sit by and allow the audacity of the atrocities of empire to continue in our names. Our demands must be the same with the Obama regime as it was with the Bush regime: Troops home completely and immediately." Not two years from now. Not next year. NOW! NOW! NOW!

     Where is the outrage? Where is the protest? Where are the numbers of people standing up and speaking out against wars and occupations? Some once protested but are now silent. Most have never protested, except talking back to their TV. But justice and peace demands more, that we stand up and speak out publicly. Challenge our fellow citizens to do the same. To the dead, what difference does it matter if the bombs dropped were ordered by a Democratic or Republican U.S. administration? Our silence is our shame.

     Wars and economic collapse are two sides of the same fraudulent coin brought to us by the military/industrial/banking complex. The few get rich at the expenses of the many. Enough!

     It's time to renew our commitment to justice and peace in Hawai'i and throughout the world. It's time to reactivate our activism, or if we have never been an activist, it's time to become one. The future depends on each one of us taking responsibility and joining together in a grassroots peoples' movement. In all of our efforts for justice and peace, remember two important points: l. stay committed to principled non-violence and 2. NEVER, NEVER, NEVER GIVE UP!

END ALL WARS!

STOP ALL OCCUPATIONS!
NEVER GIVE UP!

1. Mourn all victims of violence. 2. Reject war as a solution. 3. Defend civil liberties. 4. Oppose all discrimination, anti-Islamic, anti-Semitic, etc. 5. Seek peace through justice in Hawai`i and around the world.
Contact: Malu `Aina Center for Non-violent Education & Action P.O. Box AB Kurtistown, Hawai`i 96760. Phone (808) 966-7622. Email ja@interpac.net http://www.malu-aina.org
Hilo Peace Vigil leaflet (March 20, 2009 - 392nd week) - Friday 3:30-5PM downtown Post Office

Jim Albertini

Malu ‘Aina Center for Non-violent Education & Action

P.O.Box AB

Kurtistown, Hawai’i 96760

phone: 808-966-7622

email: JA@interpac.net

Visit us on the web at: www.malu-aINA.org

March l9 protest change from airport to Borders location

2009-03-18T20:12:00.000-07:00

Aloha Peace Ohana,

Due to finding out today that special permission is needed to gather at the airport intersection, there is a last minute change of location for our peace gathering/sign-holding to mark the 6th anniversary of the invasion of Iraq. Since the airport road location is State Airports Division controlled we will gather on Hwy.11, fronting Borders Hilo. (See flyer below) Please do what you can to pass the word. Lee Bowden and Airport security will be at the airport intersection prior to 4PM to redirect people to the Borders area. Sorry for any inconveniences. May we not be deterred by this last minute change, but rather energized to show up and support this important event.

Peace To All,

Jim Albertini
Malu ‘Aina Center for Non-violent Education & Action
P.O.Box AB
Kurtistown, Hawai’i 96760
phone: 808-966-7622
email: JA@interpac.net
Visit us on the web at: www.malu-aina.org

=====

JOIN US ON THE SIXTH

ANNIVERSARY OF THE IRAQ WAR

PEACE GATHERING AND SIGN HOLDING

Thursday, March 19th, 4:00 p.m. -- 5:30 p.m.

Highway 11, Fronting Borders Hilo

The war was wrong from the get-go. It was based on lies. It was a war of aggression for control of resources and strategic location by the U.S. It was wrong six years ago and it is wrong to continue it even one more day. Another year passes and thousands more lives have been lost as humanity endures invasions, occupations, torture, poverty and hunger. With the very real possibility of the world verging on the brink of economic collapse we are witnessing the senseless squandering of money and resources to pay for and perpetuate these escalating wars. It's every citizen's right to stand up and speak out for peace and to shine a light on the injustice of war and waste. Shifting troops from the war in Iraq to wars in Afghanistan and Pakistan is not the answer. It is more of the same, going from the frying pan into the fire. Join a world-wide effort to end these devastating atrocities and help restore freedom, dignity, and everyone's right to thrive.

ALL ARE WELCOME

BRING A SIGN IF YOU CAN AND BE PREPARED FOR RAIN

More info--Malu'Aina Center for Non-violent Education and Action

P.O. Box AB 'Ola'a (Kurtistown) Hawai'i 96760

Phone--966-7622 Email--ja@interpac.net

www.malu-aina.org

Mourn all victims of violence. Reject war as a solution. Defend civil liberties. Oppose all discrimination. Seek peace through justice in Hawai'i and around the world.

March l9, 2009 Iraq war anniversary Hilo Peace gathering

2009-03-17T10:53:00.000-07:00

Aloha Peace Ohana,
Please pass the word on the event below. Mahalo.
Jim

JOIN US ON THE SIXTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE IRAQ WAR

PEACE GATHERING AND SIGN HOLDING

Thursday, March 19th, 4:00 p.m. -- 5:30 p.m.

Corner of Hwy 11 (Kanoelehua Ave) and Kekuanaoa St. (the road to the Hilo airport)

The war in Iraq was wrong from the get-go. It was based on lies. It was a war of aggression by the U.S. for control of resources and strategic location. It was wrong six years ago and it is wrong to continue it even one more day. Shifting troops from the war in Iraq to wars in Afghanistan and Pakistan is not the answer. It is more of the same, going from the frying pan into the fire. Join a world-wide effort to end these devastating atrocities and help restore freedom, dignity, and everyone's right to thrive.

Stop ALL the Wars! Cut the Military Budget!

1. Mourn all victims of violence. 2. Reject war as a solution. 3. Defend civil liberties. 4. Oppose all discrimination, anti-Islamic, anti-Semitic, etc. 5. Seek peace through justice in Hawai`i and around the world.
Contact: Malu `Aina Center for Non-violent Education & Action P.O. Box AB Kurtistown, Hawai`i 96760. Phone (808) 966-7622. Email ja@interpac.net http://www.malu-aina.org

Jim Albertini

Malu ‘Aina Center for Non-violent Education & Action

P.O.Box AB

Kurtistown, Hawai’i 96760

phone: 808-966-7622

email: JA@interpac.net

Visit us on the web at: www.malu-aina.org

Hawaii Supreme Court rules against Superferry AGAIN

2009-03-16T21:16:00.000-07:00

FYI

Honolulu Star-Bulletin

Breaking News

POSTED: 11:12 a.m. HST, Mar 16, 2009

Hawaii Supreme Court rules against Superferry

By Star-Bulletin staff

The state Supreme Court ruled today that the

state law allowing the Hawaii Superferry to

operate while an environmental impact statement

was conducted is unconstitutional.

The Sierra Club had argued that Act 2, a law

passed by the state Legislature in special

session in October 2007, is unconstitutional

because it was targeted to benefit just one

entity, the Hawaii Superferry. Act 2 allowed the

Superferry to provide Honolulu-to-Kahului service

while the environmental study was done.

A Superferry spokeswoman had no immediate comment

on the court's decision. Sierra Club officials

previously said if the ruling is in their favor

the Superferry would have to cease operations

until the EIS is completed, a process that could

take months.

____________________________________________________________________________

__,_._,___

Jim Albertini

Malu ‘Aina Center for Non-violent Education & Action

P.O.Box AB

Kurtistown, Hawai’i 96760

phone: 808-966-7622

email: JA@interpac.net

Visit us on the web at: www.malu-aina.org