A memorable

breakfast in Honolulu

The future importance of “the Pacific Basin” is often talked about. The 1200 Pacific citizens who attended the governor’s and mayors’ Prayer Breakfast in Honolulu on March 23 wit nessed a demonstration of its present significance. For the first time on such an occasion, a Melanesian leader, Sir Peter Kenilorea, opposition leader in Solomon Islands, addressed the people of Polynesian, Microne sian, Melanesian, American, Chinese and Japanese stock and challenged them to affirm their solidarity and their world view as “Pacific Islanders”.

The breakfast the fifth to take place in Honolulu in successive years has become a major event in the state’s calendar. Many leading citizens were present, representing political life, the judiciary, education, commerce, tourism,

agriculture, industry and the armed forces. This year, how ever, the governor had invited not only Sir Peter, but also other distinguished delegates from Papua New Guinea, Solo mon Islands, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, Fiji, Tonga and the Australian Aborigines. In his keynote address, Sir Peter cal led on everybody to affirm and to show the world that the Pacific Way, the Pacific style of servant-leadership, the Pacific Christian spirit, are not only effective in our own region, but also joyfully infectious everywhere else.

Following the breakfast, the visiting leaders spent two days in conference under the au spices of the Pacific Leaders Fellowship, which was founded in 1982 by Pacific leaders who were keen to provide one an other with an informal, neutral forum in which they could meet as brothers and sisters to share concerns of the heart. Among those who spoke during this seminar was Congressman Daniel Akaka, who represents Hawaii in Washington, and who lent his personal and en thusiastic support to the con cept and the objective of the Pacific Leaders Fellowship.

The power of this idea was proved when, immediately after their arrival in the States, the visiting leaders were formally introduced on the floor of the Hawaiian Senate, whose ses sion was suspended to allow a time of welcome, fellowship and cheerful Pacific encounter.

Global peacemaking is a Pacific priority right now! John Key* *The Rev John Key is field director of World Vision In ternational, South Pacific Field Office.

Sir Peter Kenllorea ... chal lenge in Honolulu