Community psychology and peace education in Hawaii

Abstract

The stressors of living in a rapidly changing world are increasing rather than decreasing in Hawaii and all the world. These stressors influence our cultural milieu and way of life which, in part, lead to various forms of violence. A kindergarten/first grade classroom-intervention educates children and their parents using a multicultural peace curriculum and is aimed at transforming the school gradually. It also uses graduate counseling students in training to help conduct the peace intervention. It includes Hawaiian traditional values as clues to childiren’s guide toward non-violent solution of conflict and peaceful way of life. A more community oriented approach was organized to promote network of peace advocacy in Hawaii. The possibility and necessity of peace education in Japan from school counseling perspective is discussed.