Maya Soetoro Ng, Ph.D., is one of Hawai`i's most well-known and -respected writers, educators, and peace advocates. She's had a busy week. On Sunday, she spoke at the University of Hawai`i’s Pearl City Urban Garden Center to celebrate the International Day of Peace and dedicate the Pearl City Peace Garden. She spoke hopefully of empowering children to practice empathy, effective communication, and peace.
A couple of days later, she waded into the race for Hawai`i's open U.S. Senate seat. Maya endorsed Congresswoman Mazie Hirono via a Facebook post yesterday - which is still going viral throughout the Islands and even much of the Mainland. Maya says Mazie is a strong voice for Hawai`i, and President Obama needs her in the Senate:
http://www.facebook.com/...
Mazie admires Maya too. When Maya made her first speaking appearance before a national audience four years ago, Mazie praised her as poised and confident.
Maya joins a diverse coalition supporting Mazie - and, as a proponent and practitioner of cultural diversity herself, she fits right in.
Other peace advocates endorsing Mazie include the Council for a Livable World and Maui Peace Action.
Other educators on Team Mazie include Hawai`i's public-school teachers and principals.
Among the many other writers supporting Mazie - from a variety of genres - are Sheila Crowell, Kaui Hart Hemmings, Guy Kawasaki, Jerry Kurtz, Paula Merwin, Nancy Mower, Briana Rose, Cristine Sommer-Simmons, Barbra Streisand, George Takei, and Patricia Vradenburg.
More information on Maya, her work, and her support for Mazie on her Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/...
Aloha and mahalo.
8:58 PM PT: This isn't the first time Maya and Mazie have teamed up. In 2008, Mazie was Honorary Chairwoman for the Obama-Biden ticket, while Maya hit the campaign trail both in Hawai'i and sometimes even on the Mainland. The partnership was successful; Hawai'i became Obama's strongest state.