HONOLULU--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dozens of faith leaders from around the Pacific will offer an interfaith, island-style challenge to APEC Monday evening, November 7 at St. Augustine's Catholic Church in Waikiki. Hundreds of community leaders are expected to attend this event, representing a dozen denominations and Pacific Island nations.
According to Rev. Piula Alailima, born in Samoa and raised in Hawaii, "We will take this opportunity on the eve of the largest Pacific trade conference in the world to remind ourselves and the international community that greed is a sin and that all of our decisions, even international trade decisions, must prioritize human dignity and hope for future generations."
Rev. Kekapa Lee also speaking at Monday's service reminds us that "Our island culture requires that we welcome all visitors with Aloha, but we have learned from the devastation NAFTA brought to our islands that we cannot remain silent during international trade talks and allow ourselves to be marginalized. Silence now risks further devastation for our people, our Pacific Island economies and our families' every day lives. All Pacific Island nations and cultures must have a seat at the table, not just the few."
Friday evening's event will begin at 6:30pm at St. Augustine's Catholic Church in Waikiki with an interfaith service by Alailima, Lee and others.The public, press and APEC dignitaries are invited to attend this event. This event is being hosted by Faith Action for Community Equity and the Interfaith Alliance of Hawaii.
Faith Action for Community Equity (FACE) is a statewide faith-based organization active in preserving affordable housing, education and immigration reform and addressing Hawaii's foreclosure crisis.FACE exists to allow its members to live out our common, faith-based values by engaging in actions that challenge the systems that perpetuate poverty and injustice.
Interfaith Alliance of Hawaii is a progressive voice in Hawai'i promoting the positive healing role of religion in public life by encouraging dialogue, challenging extremism, and facilitating nonviolent community activism.