HONOKAA, Hawaii: Its fall in Hamakua and that means it’s time for 5th annual Parade & Festival for United Nations International Day of Peace in Honokaa. This year, things start off with something new.

MEDIA RELEASE courtesy Peace Committee of the Honoka‘a Hongwanji Buddhist Temple:

HAWAII-THE BIG ISLAND—The Peace Day Festivities in Honoka‘a Town on Sunday, September 18, will include the 1st Annual Peace Parade “Run for Peace.” A 5K/3.1-mile run open to everyone, the event is sponsored by the Peace Committee, producers of the 5th Annual Parade & Festival for the United Nations International Day of Peace.

Registration starts at 9:30 a.m. at the Honoka‘a High and Intermediate School football field. The Peace Run begins just before the parade and the route will take the runners before the entire audience of thousands waiting for the parade. $100 cash prizes will be awarded to the fastest male and female finishers and $50 for the best Peace costume. Entry Fee of $15 includes “Peace Day Parade” T-shirt. (For high school cross-country teams, special terms and conditions apply.) For more information, please visit www.peacedayparade.orgor contact Jim Atkins, steelsprings@yahoo.com, 962-0110.

The Peace Day Parade steps off at 11 a.m. from Honoka‘a High School, down Mamane Street and up to the Honoka‘a Sports Complex where the Festival takes place. A “moving stage” of music, dance and entertainment with a message, the parade features taiko drums, marching bands, bon dance, jazz, rock & roll, hula and more. Concurrently, a Peace Day Festival takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with great local and ethnic foods, artists and crafters, live entertainment and a large community Bon Dance for everyone to join.

Other Peace Day events include support programs for the Carteret Atoll education projects, the 2011 Peace Poster Contest and a concert by the Sakura Ensemble at Honoka‘a Library at 6 p.m. September 22, sponsored by the Friends of Hamakua Libraries and the Peace Committee. Detailed information is available at www.peacedayparade.org or Facebook.

The 5th Annual Parade & Festival for the United Nations International Day of Peace are presented by the Peace Committee of the Honoka‘a Hongwanji Buddhist Temple in cooperation with the United Nations and numerous community organizations. Major financial support has been provided by the County of Hawaii Department of Research and Development (Tourism Division) CPEP and the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii’s Social Concerns Committee.

The Parade for the United Nations International Day of Peace is produced by the Peace Committee of the Honokaa Hongwanji Buddhist Temple, an affiliate of the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii, a registered not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) organization. Artwork and the words “United Nations” are used with permission.