Talk Story Series

Talk story (storytelling) appeal to our senses and our emotions, not only drawing our attention more easily, but also leaving an impact on us as audiences. This makes storytelling powerful in delivering any message. The right talk story can teach valuable lessons, inspire movements, and last a lifetime. Storytelling forges connections among people, and between people and ideas. Stories convey the culture, history, and values that unite people. A collection of talk stories are available at the Peacebuilding Initiatives YouTube channel.

Advocacy for Social Justice talk story series

We invite you to explore organized efforts and mechanisms for social change. The sessions in the series engaged in dialogue on Protecting Kapūkaki: Coalition Building to Shut Down Red Hill, Exploring Multi-Generational Truth & Reconciliation, Peacebuilding to Heal the Harms of the Troubled Teen Industry, and Finding Tranquility in the Midst of Tragedy: Reflections on Healing Circles in Uvalde, Texas.

20240516 | ASJ | Peacebuilding Post-Disaster Through An Aloha Response

AHAverim talk story series

AHAverim was formed as a year-long research project to explore the intersectionality of Kānaka Maoli (Native Hawaiian) and Jewish identities, histories, and community building within Hawaiʻi. Our research included interviewing Kānaka Maoli and Jewish community members including Jews of Color on their experiences as well as organizing three webinars. On March 8, 2023, 21 Kānaka Maoli and Jewish community members gathered at Key Project for an afternoon of conversation around the intersections of ʻāina-based relationships between the Kānaka Maoli and Jewish communities in Hawaiʻi. This was the first of our kūkākūkā sessions, an ʻaha hoʻohoaloha building community and making chaverim. The AHAverim project was completed on June 28, 2023.

20230628 | AHAverim | Dialogues between Native Hawaiian and Jewish Communities.

Beginning and End of the Bomb talk story series

We invite you to learn about resiliency during unprecedented times. This collection of stories came from a 2020 exhibition for the 75 years of the atomic bombing. The stories come to us from atomic bomb survivors, youth activist in Hiroshima and Nagasai, Hibakushas in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and many more storytellers. While the “beginning” of the bomb is clear, the “end” is not. Efforts to bring about nuclear disarmament continue but so do modernizations of existing arsenals. Many important questions remain. Can this threat be ended? Will it continue indefinitely? Will nuclear weapons be used by countries or terrorists? What can people in Hawaii do? We hope this exhibit will be the catalyst for informed dialogue on these questions.

20200805 | BEBTSS | That Unforgettable Morning: Hiroshima Atomic Bomb Survivor

Conflict Resolution Alliance talk story series

This series is based on the multiple conversations the Conflict Resolution Alliance (CRA) had with professionals in the ADR field. CRA is a local non-profit that seeks to promote and support peaceful conflict resolution and collaborative decision making at all levels in our society whether in our home, school, ohana, workplace, or community. They consist of mediators, arbitrators, facilitators, educators, social workers, lawyers, psychologists, child and family advocates, problem solvers, and concerned citizens – all dedicated to the pursuit of peace.

20240417 | MPF | Supporting Families in Transition: It Doesn’t Have To Get Ugly

Careers in Peacebuilding talk story series

Explore the journey into the profession. The options for careers and professional pathways for those pursuing peacebuilding work. Join us to consider a myriad of challenges facing us today: social justice, political polarization, climate change, and the pandemic, and look at opportunities that come from the present conditions.

20240314 | CPTSS | ‘Scientist to Social Entrepreneur’ An Extraordinary Journey of Growth and Impact

Cultural talk story series

We invite you to sit down at our table to learn about indigenous nations near and far. The sessions led us to have conversations with people from the Ainu, Berber, Coahuiltec, Cochiti Pueblo, Kānaka Maoli, Māori, Mvskoke, Oglala Lakota (Sioux) Nation, Sámi, Tap Pilam, Tlingit, and many more.

20200619 | CTSS | The Ainu: Irankarapte

Designing A Stronger Tomorrow talk story series

The Designing A Stronger Tomorrow project was led by a local non-profit Ceeds of Peace from 2020-2021. Through this initiative Ceeds of Peace brought community together to offer inspiration from renowned peacebuilders, tools to build peace in our community, and a collaborative action planning process around 4 community topics: Reimagining a Post-COVID Economy, Reimagining Education, Reimagining Racial Justice, and Reimagining Climate Action. Speakers included Ceeds of Peace co-founders Dr. Maya Soetoro & Dr. Kerrie Urosevich, as well as community organizers, innovators, and peacebuilders Aunty Pua Burgess, Olin Lagon, and Dr. Kealoha Fox.

20201121 | DAST | On Building the Beloved Community | Aunty Puanani Burgess

Peer Mediation Conference

The Peer Mediation Conference (PMC) has been bringing together youth peer mediators (ages 8 to 18 years old) for over thirty five years. From 2021-2024 the PMC went virtual to connect peer mediators around Hawai’i and others aspiring to develop their own peer mediation program. We encourage youth and adults that work with youth to get involved to learn more about peer mediation. Learn more about the PMC at https://beacons.ai/peermediation.

20240426 | PMC | Developing Sustainable Peer Mediation Programs