HONOLULU – April 2, 2012 – The Hawai’i Community Foundation (HCF) announced today that there are only two weeks remaining to buy tickets for two public talks in Honolulu featuring Tenzin Gyatso, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet, April 14th and 15th, 2012.

The Dalai Lama’s visit marks the launch of a new HCF initiative entitled “Pillars of Peace Hawai’i: Building Peace on a Foundation of Aloha.” The program, supported by the Omidyar ‘Ohana Fund, aims to bring global peace leaders to Hawai’i to exchange ideas about the many forms of peace that exist here at home in Hawai’i, and around the world.

The first event, for high school and college students titled, “Educating the Heart,” will be held on April 14th at 1:30 p.m. HAST. The second event, intended for the general public, “Advancing Peace through the Power of Aloha,” will take place on April 15th at 1:45 p.m. HAST. Both events will take place at the Stan Sheriff Center on the University of Hawai’i campus at Manoa. Tickets can be purchased online at www.pillarsofpeacehawaii.org or through the University of Hawai’i Stan Sheriff Center box office.

Additionally, HCF announced a star-studded lineup of performers scheduled as entertainment for ticket holders who are encouraged to come early to avoid parking and security delays. Ticketholders will enjoy performances by Grammy award-winning artists such as Michael McDonald (Public Talk) and Hawai’i native and local favorite Jack Johnson (Student Talk). Doors for both public talks open at 11 a.m.

“The Dalai Lama will be sharing with Hawai’i a message of peace and compassion,” said Kelvin Taketa, President and CEO of the Hawai’i Community Foundation. “Through song and dance, these talented artists are encouraging everyone to practice peace in our daily lives.”