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Nominees sought who represent forgiveness

The Hawaii Forgiveness Project will honor people who have demonstrated the act of forgiveness.

Individuals and organizations may nominate prospects for "Hawaii Forgiveness Hero." Nominees will be recognized at the annual Hawaii International Forgiveness Day program Aug. 7. The deadline for nominations is July 17.

Last year's honorees included members of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team who volunteered to serve in World War II when the U.S. government was incarcerating other Japanese Americans in detention camps.

The project is sponsored by a coalition of individuals and organizations, including the state Office of Youth Services and some church groups, to foster the positive, transformative power of forgiveness as a resolution to disagreements and disputes.

For information, call or write Trish Ellis at 781-7617 or trish@hawaiiforgivenessproject.org.

Economic leverage in Israel to be discussed

The prospect of withdrawing church investments from companies that benefit from the Israeli-Palestinian conflict will be discussed Tuesday at a meeting at Church of the Crossroads.

The 7:30 p.m. meeting at 1212 University Ave. will inform local members of the United Church of Christ about the "economic leverage" resolution adopted last weekend at the denomination's national convention in Atlanta.

Church of the Crossroads was a sponsor of the resolution that could lead the denomination's foundation, pension plan and other agencies to divest themselves of investments in American companies involved in developing Israeli settlements outside the country's borders and other projects that are seen as impeding peace negotiations in the area.

For information, call the church office at 949-2220.

Variety of church concerts scheduled

Musical events to entertain and inspire are planned by island churches.

» Hawaiian entertainers including Kapena, Sean Naauao and Na Palapalai will perform Monday in a concert at Word of Life Christian Center, 550 Queen St. The 6 p.m. event will benefit Halau Hula Olelo O Ke Ola. Tickets are $10 in advance or $12 at the door. For information, call 441-1785.

» The 59-voice Cornerstone Youth Choir from Jackson, Miss., is on Oahu for several free appearances. The high school students will perform tomorrow at Waianae Baptist Church, 86-131 Ala Hema St., at the 10:30 a.m. service and a 6:30 p.m. concert.

The choir will give concerts 11:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center and 6 p.m. at Ala Moana CenterStage. The choir has performed in Brazil, Canada and several U.S. cities with a repertoire of pop songs, patriotic tunes and contemporary Christian music. For information, call the church office at 696-4374.

Buddhist teacher offers lessons on dying

A Buddhist teacher who has won recognition for fostering compassionate care of the dying will lead a two-day Honolulu workshop on "Healing Stories," Aug. 19-20.

Frank Ostaseski, who helped found the Zen Hospice Project and heads the Alaya Institute in San Francisco, will also lecture on "The Healer's Art" at 6 p.m. Aug. 18 at Central Union Church Parish Hall. The church and Hospice Hawaii are sponsoring the events.

The deadline for reservations is Aug. 10. The cost of the lecture is $15. Limited seats for the workshop cost $100. For information, call 924-9255, ext. 300.

Ostaseski offers practical methods and spiritual practice to help others at the end of their lives. He is a consultant to health care organizations and co-chaired the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's Last Acts Spirituality Committee. He was honored by the Dalai Lama for his service to the dying and their families. He was interviewed for the "With Eyes Open" public television series on death and dying and in other news media features.