An isle church honors two
men who exemplify principles that
Martin Luther King Jr. promoted

An environmentalist whose dedication to preservation involves hands-on tending of Kawainui Marsh plants and a political scientist whose vision for world peace has been translated into 15 languages will be honored as peacemakers Monday.

The 7 p.m. program at Church of the Crossroads, 1212 University Ave., will name Charles "Doc" Burrows, a leader in preserving and restoring lands special to indigenous people here, in the Pacific Islands and on the mainland, the Hawaii Peacemaker of the year.

A special Hawaii Lifetime Peacemaker Award will honor Glenn Paige, University of Hawaii professor emeritus and author of several books including his 2000 publication "Nonkilling Global Political Science," which is in multiple translations.

The church created the award in the name of slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. to "find people who exemplify the principles of peace and justice that King lived," said the Rev. Neal MacPherson, pastor. He said the university-area church, a center of activism in social justice and civil rights issues, began its annual celebration of King's life 18 years ago, before the state joined a nationwide movement to create the King holiday.

It recognizes people in the church and the community, he said. Nominees for the title have included people in family support and mediation work, anti-nuclear advocacy, the Hawaiian sovereignty movement and environmental initiatives.

"No one exemplifies the stewardship of creation more than Chuck Burrows," MacPherson said. "He combines the best of Hawaiian spirituality and Christian values." A retired Kamehameha Schools biology professor, Burrows was a force behind the restoration of native plants in Kawainui Marsh, and has helped Easter Island residents attempt to restore vegetation there. He is active in efforts to keep the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, land important to indigenous people in Alaska, safe from oil development.

Paige is the founder and president of the Center for Global Nonviolence in Honolulu, a network of speakers and peace advocates in several countries.

"He has written a pivotal book, he has a formula for nonviolence and is invited to discuss it all over the world," said Haaheo Guanson, co-director of the Pacific Justice and Reconciliation Center. Paige, a Korean War veteran, has taught at Seoul National University in South Korea and at Princeton University. In his 25 years at the University of Hawaii, he introduced undergraduate courses and graduate seminars on political leadership and nonviolent political alternatives. He is the author of "The Korean Decision," "The Scientific Study of Political Leadership" and "To Nonviolent Political Science: From Seasons of Violence."

Laura Crites, chairwoman of the selection committee, said: "During this time of violence, war, global conflict and destruction of the earth, the work and words of Dr. King call us to commit not only to peace and nonviolence between peoples, but also to a responsibility for stewardship of all creation. The work and presence of these two people give us reason for hope in a gentler, kinder and more caring world."

Honoring King in song The Martin Luther King Jr. holiday will be celebrated with musical programs this weekend. >> The "Lift Every Voice and Sing" concert at 6 p.m. today will showcase music by the choir and quartet from Immanuel Missionary Baptist Church in Wahiawa and contemporary gospel singer Jan Shima. The cultural celebration in the City Hall annex auditorium next to Honolulu Hale is sponsored by the Martin Luther King Jr. Coalition Hawaii. Jerry B. Wilson and the Ministry of Fire and musicians from Kahana O Ke Akua Church and New Hope Christian Fellowship will also appear. Donations will be accepted for the American Red Cross tsunami relief. >> Gospel music and spirituals and the works of African-American composers will be featured in a free concert at 4 p.m. tomorrow at Chaminade University Mystical Rose Oratory, 3140 Waialae Ave. Concert saxophonist Willie Morris of the University of Dayton, Ohio, will perform with the Chaminade Chorus and Hawaii Vocal Arts Ensemble. Chaminade professor Alison Francis will read her poetry.