On July 12 and 13, the Honolulu Central Seventh-day Adventist Church hosted the Hawaii Festival of Religious Liberty, the first time such a festival has been conducted in the United States . More than a dozen different faith communities were represented by the music and discussions during the two-day festival. The mayor of Honolulu , the Honorable Mufi Hanneman, welcomed the Festival to Honolulu on Sunday, and expressed his appreciation for Adventist efforts to promote peace and respect among people of differing religious beliefs.

The purpose of the Festival was to thank God for religious freedom, as well as thanking the founding fathers and elected officials for their role in preserving our freedom. The Festival also included numerous interviews and discussions among leaders of many faiths discussing the principles of religious freedom. Presentations covered a broad range of issues, exploring the theological, historical and legal foundations of religious liberty and comparing notes among faith traditions. These presentations were recorded and are expected to be featured in broadcasts on Freedom’s Ring radio, as well as Liberty Insider on 3ABN.

Choir sings in celebration of religious freedom at Hawaii Festival

The Festival was intended to build on existing interfaith work in Hawaii and project the Adventist Church as a leader in promoting religious liberty and mutual respect among people of differing faiths. The effort was clearly appreciated by many faith leaders and government officials alike.

The Festival keynote speaker on Sunday was J. Brent Walker, Esq., director of the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty in Washington , D.C.  The Sabbath sermon was given by Elder Ted Wilson, Vice President of the General Conference, who preached on the parable of the Good Samaritan. Special guests included Dr. John Graz, director of Public Affairs and Religious Liberty for the General Conference; Lincoln Steed and Melissa Reid, from Liberty magazine; and Nicholas P. Miller, Esq., Director of the Andrews University International Religious Liberty Institute. Two board members of the North American Religious Liberty Association – West also attended, Dorothy Keith and Deborah Fountain.

On Sunday, members of the Hawaii Senate and House of Representatives presented resolutions honoring the Seventh-day Adventist Church State Council for conducting the Hawaii Festival. Special honors were also given by Dr. John Graz, from the General Conference, to key people who made the Festival possible, including Walt Nelson, pastor of the Honolulu Central Church ; Ralph Watts III, Hawaii conference president, Earl Stuckey, Jr., the Festival’s music coordinator, and Alan J. Reinach, Esq., the Festival’s coordinator.  In total, nine State Senators and Representatives attended either on Sabbath or Sunday. Rep. John Mizuno intends to introduce legislation designating July as religious freedom month in Hawaii and designating a religious liberty day, as well.

Dr. Graz challenged American religious freedom leaders to conduct additional Festivals in Sacramento and in Washington , D.C. The first World Festival of Religious Liberty will be conducted in Lima , Peru , on November 21^st.  Everyone is invited to make plans to attend this historic occasion where the importance of religious freedom will be highlighted.