Hawaii’s 7th Annual International Yoga Day Celebration in Honolulu, Hawaii
Los Angeles/Jun 24, 2025
NRIpress.club/Ramesh/ A.Gary Singh
Gandhi International Institute for Peace (GIIP) held its seventh Annual International Yoga Day event at Kapiolani Regional Park in Honolulu, Hawaii on Sunday June 22, 2025 from 9am to 11 am. This event was free to the public. The theme of this year’s event was Yoga for Health and Peace, a message we would like to send especially to those places experiencing turmoil around the world.
The program was co-sponsored by the Consulate General of India, San Francisco and the City and County of Honolulu. The Deputy Consul, Mr. Rakesh Adlakha was the chief guest in this program. Honorable Mike Gabbard, Hawaii State Senator was the guest of honor. Other presenters included Dr. Raj Kumar, Michele Santos, Amber Ricci, Professor Matthew S. LoPresti, Nilanjan Sarkar and Dr. Veena Howard from Fresno, California.
GIIP received proclamations from the Hawaii Governor, Dr. Josh Green, and Mayor of Honolulu, Rick Blangiardi, and certificates from the Hawaii Senate & the House for this event.
Mr. Veda Das performed spiritual invocation. Indian classical dance, Bharatnatyam, was performed by Dr. Akshatha Bhat and Elizabeth Mager. Ms. Leticia Sharp played the crystal bowls for sound healing. Ms. Madana Sundari was the moderator.
The yoga instructors demonstrated yoga asanas (postures). The event had a good turnout of over 150 people. According to Indian sage Patanjali (the father of Yoga), “Asana is to be seated in a position which is firm but relaxed. Asana becomes firm and relaxed through control of natural tendencies of the body, and through meditation on the infinite.”
Dr. Raj Kumar founded this Peace Institute in 2001, which promotes peace, educates youth about nonviolence and raises awareness about healthy living in Hawaii for over 19 years. Inspiration to host Yoga Day came about when the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution which was originally introduced by India, recognizing June 21st of each year as the “International Day of Yoga” on December 11, 2014.
GIIP initiated House Bill (HB) 349 in the Hawaii Legislature in December 2018. The House and the Senate passed this Bill unanimously, and it was signed into law (Act 102 Hawaii Revised Statutes 8-31-2019) by former Hawaii Governor, Honorable David Y. Ige, on June 21, 2019 making Hawaii the first State in the nation to officially recognize June 21st as “International Yoga Day” in Hawaii.
According to Dr. Raj Kumar, who is author of the book on Yoga, titled “The Secrets of Health and Healing”, Yoga means union of soul with the Divine. It is a gift from ancient Indian philosophers and practitioners. Yoga is a way of life. It defines restraints in moral living which brings purity of mind and freedom from anger and jealousy, and discipline in daily routines and activities. Yoga also creates a balance at the physical, mental/emotional and spiritual level. It guides us to live a healthy, harmonious and simple life.
Yoga emphasizes achieving inner peace, and peace within your family and community, which helps to attain world peace.
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