| Karma as Action: Inspiring Young Minds to Engage
Dear readers of the What's New,
“Abuse of AI,” one student called out. “Profiteering from misinformation on social media, rampant political polarization!” offered others. These were some of the topics students expressed to the school community as areas of concern in today’s global climate in response to the presentation I made last Friday for PBA’s observance of the U.N. International Day of Peace. For the past three years, following temple service on Peace Day, I have offered lectures introducing the “problem of peace” on which the succeeding workshops, presentations, and actions will focus – displacement as the problem two years back, reconciliation last year.
| At the tail end of this year’s presentation I opened up for discussion a response to this year’s theme, “Karma as Action,” where I reviewed the Buddhist conception of karma as action and the idea and practice of karma yoga. I also shared a few details about famous peacemakers like Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr. and their non-violent actions promoting peace and prompted the student body to share topics of concern with plans to brainstorm action items toward practicing peace in our own community. | | Action being the theme of the year is appropriate given the enormous challenges we face in Hawaii, the country and the world, and with the background of Pacific Buddhist Academy’s involvement in helping Hawaii became the first state to recognize September 21 as the International Day of Peace. PBA's role in persuading the Hawaii State Legislature to adopt Peace Day as a a day of importance in Hawaii was in 2007, the year of the first graduating class of PBA. Fast forward to 2025, and my 45-minute slideshow about Action began to feel less, well, action-based. Just as I was beginning to fear PBA would perhaps not live up to the day’s theme, I got to the slide asking for students to share their own concerns. As a teenager myself, I’m not sure I would have been brave enough to voice my thoughts in front of peers, teachers, and the head of school. Yet these students did. And in doing so, they reminded me and everyone present that the spirit of action and sangha are alive at PBA. From their genuine responses, a clear insight emerged: these students are far more than just antsy teenagers. Growing up in a world where technology delivers instant access to global events, including tragedies and acts of violence, they are hyper-aware of the challenges facing the world and eager to develop solutions. The purpose and theme of my presentation, of course, was to prompt some sort of action. But with the enormity of challenges the students listed, one might have asked, what can a bunch of kids do in a one-day workshop? They can’t vote or run for office. Heck, most of them can’t even drive. | The question led us naturally to the second section of the day and the topic of PBA’s summer school Fine Arts class zine, “If You’re Not Angry, You’re Not Paying Attention.” Perhaps one of the most valuable things we can offer the students of PBA is education and inquiry—to inspire them to take meaningful action where they can and to prepare them for the opportunities that will arise for deeper engagement (and they will). Led by Advancement Director Ms. Megan Lee and guest USA Today journalist Kathleen Wong, students spent the next half of our Peace Day observance using art to create a mini-zine, combining magazine clippings and digital artwork to express their ideas and concerns. | | By the end of the day, it was clear that Action isn’t about solving every problem at once. It’s about awareness, creativity, and courage that plant the seeds for continued critical inquiry, independent thinking, and action. Through discussion and reflection, students practiced seeing the world’s challenges and imagining ways they could respond. What began as a slideshow became an exercise in expression and empowerment, showing that the seeds of change often start in small, thoughtful steps and in the minds of young people willing to speak up.
Warmly,
Josh Hernandez Morse
Head of School
| Lighting Our Way Honoree Women Speaking Out Engages Students | Just across the street from the beautiful Maunalua Bay in Hawaiʻi Kai is House of Savon, where six seniors gathered to interview Miss Hawaiʻi 2002, Juliet Lighter-Kamm, an advocate against dating violence and founder of non-profit organization Women Speaking Out. The ocean-view meeting room, along with six thoughtfully prepared goodie bags filled with stickers, pens, and snacks, created a picturesque atmosphere. | |
Yet, juxtaposed against the serene surroundings, the Lighting Our Way organizational honoree interview quickly delved into serious topics. Lighter-Kamm, a survivor of dating violence herself, shared several heartbreaking stories of women their age that inspired her to start Women Speaking Out. She shared how she hopes to provide support for women that she herself once needed.
Today, Women Speaking Out serves as a vital resource for women across the island. Lighter-Kamm has trained ambassadors to speak at public and private schools and organizes programs that support women at different | 
| | stages of life, including self-defense workshops and personal finance classes. “What should my interview question be?” asked Kent Sekine, the only male in the nearly all-female student group. “Maybe ask how males can play a role in ensuring women are safe,” suggested group organizer Ms. Megan. In the interview, Lighter-Kamm responded that to have healthy relationships, all parties need to understand what that looks like. Both sides play an essential role in building a culture of respect, care, and safety. The conversation left the students with a deeper awareness of the challenges many women face, but also with a sense of hope that change is possible through dialogue, education, and advocacy. Women Speaking Out is one of six honorees who will be recognized at PBA’s Lighting Our Way banquet on Friday, November 14, at The Kahala Hotel & Resort. Tickets are available online at pacificbuddhistacademy.org. | | OFFICE HOURS
7:30 A.M. - 5:00 P.M.
OFFICE CLOSED
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