2007 International Forgiveness Day Celebration

The largest celebration ever of International Forgiveness Day, our eleventh annual, took place on Sunday, August 5, 2007. Ho’oponopono – a beautiful Hawaiian ritualistic way of forgiving – was initiated and produced by Will Chang, who introduced us to the master of Ho’oponopono, Dr. Ihaleakala Hew Lin, as a Champion of Forgiveness. A standing-room-only audience of more than 500 people attended the Mill Valley Community Center. At that time, besides Dr. Lin, three incredible Heroes of Forgiveness, Reconciliation and Peace were honored:

Hero of Forgiveness Kim Crespi	Heroes of Forgiveness Steve Backman & Chris Loukas	Champion of Forgiveness Dr. Ihaleakala Hew Len

Dr. Hew Len led a powerful Ho’oponopo forgiveness ritual and Lori Grace, a Director of the Sunrise Center, also did a beautiful forgiveness ritual. 

Andrew Bozeman was superb as our Master of Ceremonies. And we were musically entertained by the fervent East Bay Religious Science Gospel Choir.  They were followed by an effervescent Suzie Z with several smashing songs and the group Music Medicine playing their own original words and music.

The evening ended with a lovely hula performance from Marin’s own Halau Hula Na Pua O Ka La'akea, under the direction of Kumu Hula Shawna Alapa’i.

In 2007, for the first time, we celebrated International Forgiveness Day in the People’s Republic of China, the Ukraine, Orange Country, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Poughkeepsie, New York, along with the other approximately 11 countries and 15 cities that already celebrate.