The 2018 Maui Peace Heroes are (from left): Ron Panzo, Paris Nabavi, Melinda Clarke, Sherri Dodson (Habitat for Humanity) and Joe Pluta. PHOTO BY SHANE TEAGARDEN.

KAHULUI – Maui Seasons for Peace held its annual Maui Peace Hero Awards Event recently at the University of Hawaii Maui College Pa’ina dining room. The event has been held annually since 2002.

Maui Peace Heroes are “ordinary people doing extraordinary things.”

Criteria for selection was a person or organization who: moves our community in the direction of peace through their practice of nonviolence; serves as an unsung ambassador of good will who unselfishly donates time, talent, energy and resources for the greater good; is generous at heart, doing deeds that often go unnoticed; and is committed to making a positive significant difference in our global community.

Receiving the 2018 Peace Heroes Awards were: Melinda Kathleen Clarke, author of “Waymakers for Peace;” Paris Nabavi, director of the Nabavi Legacy Fund; Ron Panzo, creator of the Lei of Aloha for World Peace; and Joseph Daniel Pluta, director of the West Maui Improvement Foundation.

The organization recipient is Habitat for Humanity, represented by Executive Director Sherri Dodson.

The event featured a buffet dinner, the awards recognitions and entertainment by Rama Camarillo.

Event sponsors were the following organizations and individuals: Nalu’s, Ceramic Tile Plus, Rotary Clubs of Lahaina, Bahay Kubo Foundation, Friends of Joe Pluta, Friends of Paris Nabavi, Friends of Melinda Clarke, Friends of Charmaine Tavares, Friends of Elizabeth Ayson, and Friends of Habitat for Humanity.

For more information, visit www.facebook.com/MauiSeasonsforPeace/ or contact President Joanne Laird at mamalrd01@gmail.com.