Dr. Raj Kumar founded this Peace Institute following the terrorist attack on the Twin Towers in New York, September 11, 2001. Since then, Dr Kumar and the members of Peace Institute are raising awareness about nonviolence and peace among youths, and promoting peace in the community.
In October 2006, he organized a peace walk and peace ceremony at the Gandhi statue in Waikiki.
In June 2007, the United Nations passed a resolution and declared Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday, October 2, as the “International Day of Nonviolence”.
On October 2, 2007, Dr. Kumar organized a peace walk from Ala Moana Park to Kapiolani Park in Waikiki. Hundreds of people, including students from various universities, and members of 20 organizations, participated in this walk.
GIIP became a non-profit organization in 2007, and the status of 501 ( c ) ( 3 ) was approved by Internal Revenue Service on September 18, 2009.
GIIP had established a Board of Directors with a variety of professionals, including social and spiritual leaders, peacemakers, doctors, psychologist, social worker, teacher, engineer and several musicians. The Board has built bridges, and developed relationships among various local businesses, colleges and universities, churches, and non-profit organizations.
In April 2013, Dr. Arun Gandhi, a grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, visited Hawaii, and shared teachings of Gandhi with teachers, students, political leaders, social leaders and interfaith leaders.
In January 2015, State Senators, Suzanne Chun Oakland and Brian Taniguchi in the Hawaii Legislature, Senate introduced Bill 332, which was passed unanimously by the Senate and House and signed into law by Hon. Gov. David Y. Ige on April 10, 2015. This made Hawaii the first State to proclaim October 2, as “Mahatma Gandhi Day”.
In October 2016, GIIP published its first book “Gandhi’s Wisdom for You”. GIIP is giving copies of this book free to schools, libraries, police department, political and spiritual leaders, educators, and students in Hawaii.
Dr. Raj Kumar will release a new book “Anger and Nonviolence” in the year 2023.