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Let’s create a ‘peace
university’ at UH

For decades, the University of Hawaii has sought to establish an identity suited to its geographical location and cultural heritage -- an identity that would capture our uniqueness in the world. The strengths of our astronomy, geophysics, ocean sciences, tropical agriculture, language, regional and cultural programs have certainly brought us international recognition and attention, and even contributed to our economic growth and well-being. Everyone in Hawaii should be proud of our achievements in these areas.

In addition, the emerging regional and cultural strengths of our schools of business, medicine and law hold much promise for even more recognition and economic growth. Yet, as an educational institution, the goal of establishing an internationally recognized identity -- something that would offer us distinctiveness in mission and purpose -- remains elusive.

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DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM University of Hawaii students, faculty and others recently staged a weeklong sit-in at Bachman Hall outside the office of UH Interim President David McClain to protest the proposed University Affiliated Research Center.

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Today, as we struggle with the issues related to the Board of Regents' decision giving preliminary approval for UH to partner with the U.S. Navy as a University Affiliated Research Center, it would do well for us to think about our university identity, and to consider the possibility of establishing ourselves as a peace university. This would be a step that would offer us global distinction and that would honor our regional, cultural and historical realities. Throughout the world, UH would be synonymous with an imaginative and progressive image that is relevant and meaningful to the complex global challenges we face.

As a peace university, all of our university programs would be contextualized within the framework of promoting peace. We would have a "peace across the curriculum" orientation in which, whenever possible and feasible, peace topics, issues and methods would be incorporated into our courses. We could offer undergraduate and graduate degrees in peace studies, and link our programs with other universities and agencies that have similar interests. We also could require all of our students to take three courses in peace studies as a minor so that all of our graduates would be schooled in understanding and promoting peace in their homes, workplaces and communities. From this, we could position our beautiful and beloved state as a place of peace and refuge -- a place where people will come to learn, live and speak for peace and harmony.

We have let the Matsunaga Peace Institute fall into decay. It exists today as only a shadow of its former self and as only a vestige of what it could be. We have a conflict resolution program that is marginalized and a disaster management and humanitarian assistance program that is languishing in spite of their obvious relevance and need. But were we to choose to become a peace university, UH could become the site of peace conferences, peace celebrations, peace museums and peace libraries. We could develop peace curricula for use in our K-12 schools and we could develop a vast media program that develops movies, videos and even games that honor peace rather than violence.

The University of Hawaii could become the center for a United Nations Institute on Peace Studies that would attract people from around the world. The implications of becoming a peace university also would have far-reaching and positive consequences for our state, compelling us to address local challenges of inequities in wealth, power and influence. In so many ways, the University of Hawaii as a peace university would give renewed meaning, vitality and authenticity to our most revered cultural value -- aloha.

To those who believe the University of Hawaii should be an "economic engine" for the state, I say yes, but make that source of economic development peace, not war.

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