WVWS Presents... Community Report Back 2012

With the support of our community, Women's Voices, Women's Speak and Hawaiʻi Peace & Justice were able to send a delegation of four women from Hawaiʻi to the 8th meeting of the International Women's Network Against Militarism held on the islands of Puerto Rico and Vieques in February. The delegation will be sharing their experiences and the information gathered at this week long meeting. Please join us and be part of the conversation to address the growing issue of militarism through the lens of women in Hawaiʻi. Come prepared to learn and share as this is an open space for dialogue.


2012 Delegates: Terri Kekoʻolani, Elise Davis, Kim Kuʻulei Birnie, & Eri Oura


This event is a pre-event to the Umematsu & Yasu Watada Lecture Series on Peace, Social Justice & the Environment.


For more information, email Eri Oura at eriola808@gmail.com.


Mahalo nui!


COMPLETE PRESS PACKAGE AVAILABLE AT: https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B-K0TmHJlFSUU19WaGk2WUZzeWM

Official Press Release for the event.

WOMEN’S VOICES WOMEN SPEAK
C/O HAWAI‘I PEACE & JUSTICE
2426 O‘AHU AVENUE
HONOLULU HI 96822
WVWS808.BLOGSPOT.COM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 21, 2012

Contact: Terri Keko‘olani 808-227-1621
Eri Oura 808-542-0348 eriola@gmail.com

Hawai‘i Women Share Experiences from Puerto Rico (Honolulu, O‘ahu). Four Hawai‘i women returned home recently after meeting with other members of the International Women’s Network Against Militarism (IWNAM) at the organization’s 8th annual meeting in Puerto Rico. They will share their experiences with the community Friday evening, June 1, 6:00 PM at the Church of the Crossroads in Honolulu.

The International Women’s Network Against Militarism (IWNAM) was formed in 1997 when forty women activists, policy-makers, teachers, and students gathered in Okinawa to strategize about the negative effects of the US military on their respective communities. The network—a collaboration among women active in their communities and who share the mission to promote, model and protect genuine security—includes women from the Philippines, South Korea, Okinawa, Japan, Guam, the continental United States, Puerto Rico and Hawai‘i.

“With the increasing militarism in so many of our communities, the opportunity to stand in solidarity with others who face issues similar to ours here in the islands,” said long time activist Terri Keko‘olani, “helps us to put our work into perspective.”

In addition to meeting around organization and strategic planning for the near future, the attendees participated in excursions to several storied places of Puerto Rico, such as El Yunqué Forest and a healing labyrinth in the mountainside village of Barranquitas. They participated in a protest against the building of a natural gas line in the city, met with survivors of domestic violence, former political prisoners, various women’s groups for peace, and others leading their communities in providing health screenings and services.
“Puerto Rico and Hawai‘i have much in common, as island economies that are dependent on importing basic necessities and vulnerable to unsustainable development and military interest,” Elise Davis, a public health educator, was particularly struck by the health concerns brought up by communities that experienced extensive military weapons testing. “Vieques has a 27% higher rate of cancer than mainland Puerto Rico, and no one can say with certainty that it is not related to the weapons testing.”

Communities, such as Ceiba, introduced them to the struggles to reclaim and reuse land no longer being used by the U.S. military. “There are so many similarities between Vieques and Kaho‘olawe,” shares Kim Ku‘ulei Birnie, a member of Protect Kaho‘olawe ‘Ohana. “They have Ceiba, Culebra and Vieques; we have Kaho‘olawe, Mākua and Pōhakuloa. We have so much to share with one another.”

The group also made presentations on the status of militarism in their respective countries, held at the University of Puerto Rico in San Juan, and at the museum on Vieques.

“There’s a strong partnership between the local communities and the university among the network in Puerto Rico. We met Puerto Ricos most involved and passionate activists and scholars who believe in the right to self-determination and actively resist further Americanization of their people and lands,” explained Eri Oura. “We were even greeted by the mayors of Barranquitas and Vieques.”

Terri Keko‘olani, Eri Oura, Elise Davis and Kim Ku‘ulei Birnie will share their impressions on Friday, June 1st, from 6:00-8:00 PM at the Church of the Crossroads in Honolulu, 1212 University Avenue.

This is a pre-event to the Umematsu & Yasu Watada Lecture Series on Peace, Social Justice & the Environment. The public is invited.

Women’s Voices Women Speak is a group of Hawai‘i women who organize around Kanaka Maoli sovereignty and demilitarization in Hawai‘i from women's perspectives.

www.wvws808.blogspot.com

Women for Genuine Security is the U.S.-based partner in the International Women’s Network Against Militarism.
www.genuinesecurity.org

# PAU #

The Pursuit of Beauty

During my commute to Manhattan on the Express Bus one morning, I had the company and pleasure of reading the March issue of Allure magazine. I began by reading the Letter from the Editor Linda Wells and stumped upon this striking catch phrase, the "pursuit of beauty". Linda explains this phenomenon to be much like the pursuit of the American Dream. It is "a right to determine and improve our essential selves, psychologically and physically...that transcends gender, class, race, age and sexual orientation." I thought to myself, "this is so true!" What person today does not want to be and feel beautiful? There is no doubt, that we as human beings are acutely sensitive to our physical appearances and will do anything to gain or to maintain our personal beauty. Our insatiable need for all things "beauty" proves that we are all in full pursuit and unapologetically so.

According to dictionary.com beauty is "the quality present in a thing or person that gives intense pleasure or gives deep satisfaction to the mind." This emotional bond to pleasure explains why beauty plays such a significant part in our lives. We can't help ourselves in the presence of things or persons that call to our sensibilities. Physical beauty, though a matter of taste and opinion is also characterized by society's views. In most cultures, the existence of symmetry or balance is a determining factor of beauty because it suggests the absence of "flaws" or "defects". Facial balance, complexion, body shape and size, as well as youthfulness are all standardizations of beauty. The characterization of beauty however, cannot be understood without also realizing that beauty has another side to it - One that is not so physical, but rather metaphysical (a more intangible element ). We cannot necessarily see or touch it, yet its presence is undeniable. With that being said, we cannot exclude psychological factors such as personality, intelligence, politeness, elegance or charisma as determining factors in recognizing beauty.

As I researched more into this beauty craze, I stumbled upon some very interesting findings. To my surprise, (ok maybe not so surprised) researchers have found that possessing physical attractiveness can be quite influential in a persons life. Someone who is considered to be beautiful is likely to get higher grades, receive better care from their doctors, receive lighter prison sentences and earn more money. As if we don't have enough problems in the world today, now we know that uncontrollable factors like our God-given beauty or "lack thereof", is just another social barrier to add to our list. Whether we acknowledge it or not, and whether we do this consciously or unconsciously, this type of "lookism" has plagued our society for years and can shed some light on the depth of shallowness that exists in our world today.

This daunting truth certainly affects how we perceive ourselves as well as others. The images we see on tv also determine what we consider to be beautiful and is the driving force towards this search for perfection. We spend thousands of dollars and insurmountable time shopping online or at the malls, purchasing all sorts of beauty products, making nail, hair, facial and botox appointments, reading fashion magazines and taking particular note of what our favorite celebrities are wearing, doing and using to stay slim, youthful and yes, beautiful.

Let's not forget, that there was once a time when we were all mystified by the beautiful models and celebrities, who flawlessly walked the red carpets and flanked the covers of magazines effortlessly, or at least so it seemed. We dreamed about being them and looking like them, thinking they were born perfectly that way. Thanks to our growing obsession with celebrity-life, the shameless and countless invasions of privacy through reality tv, the social networks and the "tell-all" craze, we now not only have the information and the knowledge but also access to the once "top secret" sometimes extreme, physical enhancers.

Don't get me wrong, the "pursuit of beauty" doesn't have to mean a trip to a plastic surgeon, nor is it an elusive commodity accessible to only to the rich and famous. We can all be physically beautiful! The multi-billion dollar beauty industry has made sure to fulfill our every beauty need by bombarding us with a plethora of products and services geared towards making us feel and look younger and more beautiful.The opportunities and resources available to us are endless in this department. We have products that make us look younger, products that make our skin smoother, products that make our stomachs flat, products that make our lips plumper, products that give us fuller hair, products that make our lashes longer and thicker, stylists, eyebrow threaders, makeup artists, fashion trends that change every season, adornments like earrings, necklaces, tattoos, hats etc we all use these things to enhance our personal beauty and attractiveness in some way.










The truth is however, our pursuit of beauty is not just about exploiting our "sexual capital". It's not just the physical aspect of beauty that enamors us. We are in search of a combination between the seen and the unseen - The physical (outer) and the psychological (inner) because they both thrive off each other. I like many, believe that true beauty comes from within. Inner beauty in my definition, is that undeniable, profound light that shines from you and onto the world. It is your aura, your spirit, the stamp you leave behind after someone meets you for the first time. My father likes to refer to this intangible, spiritual side of our human nature as the "inner man" or "woman". Though this "inside beauty" may come easier to some than others, it is the beginning stages to fulfilling this intrinsic desire for physical satisfaction or happiness.

If psychologically we can find the power and confidence to see ourselves as beautiful no matter what, then the world would have no choice but to view us that way. Any physical imperfections that we may think we possess can disappear. Possessing internal beauty is the foundation of the pursuit of beauty. After all, we know that with age physical beauty disappears and there are many uncontrollable forces that can easily take away or lessen our physical beauty, like a severe accident or disease for example. Inner beauty comes from a deeper place. It oozes from your heart and soul and serves as a complimentary component to physical beauty.









So why this urgency to want to be beautiful? What lies beneath this so-called pursuit? What is it that moves us into the hunt for near perfection? The truth is, the pursuit of beauty is in fact the pursuit of happiness - they are one in the same. Though Linda refers to this pursuit as being "distinctly American", to me, it is more so, undeniably human. Whether it is a physical or psychological improvement to ourselves, we are all in search for this completeness. It is a calling to being someone bigger and better than we've ever been. It's about walking out your door everyday feeling like a ray of sunshine, confident with every step you take. It is a goal, a standard to set, that once achieved, is rewarded with a lifetime of confidence, self assurance, pride, grace, poise and enthusiasm for life.

We therefore cannot deny that we are in a new era, where beauty and the acquisition of it, is no longer an enigmatic, perplexing phenomenon, but rather an expression of one's pride and self esteem. Beauty has now become a lifestyle, and we have learned that physical beauty cannot stand on its own, we can only enhance it. It is only when there is complete synergy between the physical (outer beauty) and the psychological (inner beauty) working in complete balance with each other like yin and yang, can we safely say we've achieved our goal in this pursuit of beauty and ultimately happiness.

The Personal Power of Beauty

Beauty is Infinite, Beauty is Health, Beauty is Truth, Beauty is Power

What is the Personal Power of Beauty?

Beauty is the power of radiance, and your personal beauty has the power to illuminate your world to a more radiant and bountiful experience. There is abundance, joy, passion, sensuality and pleasure to be had in your beautiful life, and working with your personal power of beauty is a strategy for claiming even more. Your personal power of beauty is a treasure to behold, a way to be bold and a powerful journey for you to unfold. Beneath the surface of your skin is the story of your beauty, and this is the story that is meant to be told.

The personal power of beauty is a magical tool that enhances all aspects of your existence to a more majestic and magnificent experience. Beauty is the source of your personal magic; it is the essence of who you are, it connects you to others and to the plenty of this planet.

What is beauty? Where does it come from? Who has it?
When you think of beauty is it something you know you have within you? Or does beauty seem like something elusive and outside of you?

All people are beautiful, and it is our essential nature to radiate this beautiful truth.

The Beauty is on the Inside

Years ago, I saw an ad that I loved for Burt's Bee's products. The photo was of a group of Harley-type bikers, you know, heavy set men, grimacing, hairy and looking kind of scary. The caption on the ad said "The Beauty is on the Inside". It couldn't be clearer, beneath the packaging is where you will find true Beauty, it's on the Inside. This ad cracked me up, just thinking about it still makes me smile; the message was so clear, powerful and beautifully stated. Beauty comes from within, it emanates through the skin and vibrates around us.

Each of us has our own personal beauty, it is the unique essence of who we are, like our signature or thumb print, it is exclusively our own. Our personal beauty or inner beauty stems from the heart, our center of love. Our center of love is the vital force of our spirit, and the vital force of our spirits spring from the source of all life: Whether it be God, Goddess, Great Spirit, Energy, Vibration, the Creator, Nature, the Divine or the Force it is all the same source. Whatever you believe to be the divine spark of life within you; whatever you equate to the magic of your existence; however you understand life with its complexities and perfections and which ever way you account for the air that is your breath and the fire of your spirit all stems from the source of life, and the beauty within you is a part of the package. Our beauty is a divine light that sparks through each cell of our being. You truly can never be anything but beautiful, for you are life and life itself is beauty.

When you understand the source of beauty within you, you then have access to its potential for your greater abundance, power and ability to manifest change. The power of your beauty is already embedded in your essence, ready to glow. However, it is harnessed through your beliefs about yourself and the actions you take in the name of truth, beauty and love. You are born with the tools to become a channel for this very compelling and influential vibration. You are the vehicle for this sacred source to shimmer and shine.

Beauty is Truth, Truth Beauty

"Beauty is truth, truth beauty. That is all ye know on Earth, and all ye need to know." -John Keats.
We live in a world where our concepts of beauty are decided by the collective consciousness, the standards of our society. Many of us, especially women, are victims of what is known as the 'beauty myth'. A world where fashion rules, perfect body types are most desired and our ways of looking and being are all meant to sell or consume products: beauty products, fragrances, diet pills, hair color, fashion magazines, douches etc. But that is not what true beauty is made of. The truth is we are already whole and complete beings, we are all perfect because we are each perfectly ourselves. What is true is that beauty is everywhere and within everything. For everything on earth and in the universe is of the divine source. Unfortunately, many of us were not taught to honor our own beauty in this way. We were warned against being too conceited or told we were not beautiful enough and sadly so many beautiful people have never had their own precious nature reflected back to them. We hide our beauty in the shadows, even the super models complain about places within themselves that they find hideous. In subtle and not so subtle ways we have been disempowered and misdirected by the media to seeing ourselves as less than the ideal of beauty. Every commercial on television is an assault, telling us what we need to do to be better, happier and more beautiful. This is the beauty myth and it can destroy our sense of self-esteem and even destroy the joy in our lives, it already has for so many people.











As adults, we need to re-teach ourselves where true beauty comes from. We need to re-connect to the radiant source of life within us and teach this to our children. True beauty comes from the heart and soul and spirit of who you truly are, it is your divine right to resonate with self-love and allow your beauty to take the stage. Your authenticity is buzzing with beauty. Life is love, love is truth and truth is beauty. All of life is sacred and all of life is beautiful. Beauty and truth are hand in hand, one does not exist without the other.

Treat Yourself to a Homemade Natural Facial Beauty Mask

When it comes to beauty, I think natural is best. I have tried many of the chemical facial masks out in the marketplace, but find them too harsh for my delicate skin.

To solve that problem, I started making my own freshly made masks with natural ingredients. They are just as good, if not better, than store bought facial masks.

Here are a few tips before you get started.

You will want to wash your face with a gentle face cleanser before applying your mask. If you have really sensitive skin, let mask on for 5 minutes to see how your skin reacts to it. These recipes are meant for one-time-use, please discard anything that is left.

Cucumber Facial Mask

1/2 cucumber
1 egg white
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon mint extract

Remove cucumber skin and cut into slices. Using an egg separator, collect your egg white and discard the yolk. Place cucumber slices, egg white, lemon juice and mint extract in a blender container. Purée the ingredients until well blended and then place in the refrigerator for 10 minutes. Apply the cucumber mixture to your face. Leave on for 10-15 minutes. Rinse with warm, then cool water. Blot face dry with a soft cotton towel.

Tip: This mask is great for tired looking skin.











Lemon Facial Mask

2 egg yolks
1 teaspoon olive oil
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice

In a small bowl, combine all 3 ingredients with a wire whisk until blended. Refrigerate for 10 minutes. Apply the mixture to your face. Leave on your face for 10-15 minutes, then wash it off. Blot face dry with a soft cotton towel.

Tip: This mask is great for tired looking and dry skin.

Banana Facial Mask

1 sliced banana, peel removed
1 cup olive oil
2 egg whites

Combine all 3 ingredients in a blender container and blend until smooth. Refrigerate for 10 minutes. Apply mixture to your face. Leave on your face for 10 minutes, then wash it off. Blot face dry with a soft cotton towel.

Facial Beauty

Facials are wonderful spa treatments, but they can be expensive. If you would like to maintain your facial beauty throughout the year without breaking the bank, then learn how to give yourself your own facial at home. Even better, learn with a friend so that you can treat each other to facials and get in some bonding time as well.






Facials are pretty easy to do if you remember that you have to clean, tone and moisturize your skin. You can also steam and exfoliate the skin as well, and I do recommend that, so that you can get the full spa beauty treatment right at home. Steaming is the first step because you'll want to open the pores which will make the cleansing easier. Take a small towel and soak it in a bowl of warm water. Wring out the water and put it over your face and neck until it cools. Instead of plain water, feel free to infuse chamomile tea bags into the water and use the tea as a soothing way to steam the pores.








Next use a cleanser on your face. You can use any commercial cleanser that you like, but you can also make a facial cleanser right at home by using extra virgin olive oil with a drop or two of essential lavender oil and massage into your skin. Using oil on the face sounds counter-intuitive, but it works well as a cleanser.

Use a toner on your face after cleansing to balance your pH levels. Green tea is an easy way to use a home remedy, but again, any commercial toner will work as well. Make sure to put the toner on with a cotton ball, and do not rub it into the skin. You want to saturate the skin, but don't rub it. Let the skin absorb the toner.

Moisturize your face with a lightly-scented oil. I recommend Neutrogena light sesame oil. It goes on easily and is quickly absorbed into the skin. If you are prone to oily skin only apply the oil once, but if your skin is dry you may want to do it twice. Those with oily skin should exfoliate once a week or every other week. Bliss makes a Pore-Perfecting Facial Polish that can be used to exfoliate the dead skin and unblock clogged pores.

The Importance of Facial Beauty

First impressions last and that applies to maybe nine out of ten people. The first thing a person notices is the face when we meet someone, whether someone we know already or is a complete stranger. It pays to take good care of facial skin and this eventually translates into remarkable facial beauty. In essence, facial beauty is the determinant by which we mainly relate with other people together with our personality. Facial beauty care goes beyond mere washing of the face daily with soapy water. Proper care is more complicated than that because facial skin is very delicate. Although women's skins vary considerably, depending on age and skin type, there are some important tips that are appropriate for any woman at whatever age. To have that perpetually radiant young skin, follow these sensible steps:








- The first in a proper facial beauty care routine is cleansing. Dust and dirt easily sticks to one's face and using a mild cleanser twice a day is deemed appropriate. If you choose, you can also wash with plain water thrice daily. If you happen to have oily skin, then a stronger cleanser should be used.

- Proper care includes using astringents (chemicals to close open skin pores) and toners which refresh and help to rejuvenate your skin. Toners are especially beneficial for older or more mature skin to make skin look even. Skin that is even tends to look younger. Facial beauty products with alcohol should be avoided for those with a dry or sensitive skin.







- Facial beauty care requires you to be aware of your environment. The weather and surroundings affects the skin to a great extent. For working women who have to leave home daily, the use of moisturizers is highly advisable to prevent skin from drying up due to hot weather and to replace lost vitamins. Oily skin requires a light moisturizer while a drier skin type requires a thick moisturizer with a higher oil content.

- Skin protection against the harmful rays of the sun is vitally important. Ultraviolet rays are particularly harmful and can cause wrinkles, pigmentation, dark spots and even skin cancer! Always bring plenty of sunscreen in your handbag and apply before going out and as often as necessary.

Facial beauty requires diligent and constant care. Consulting a dermatologist may be a good idea before buying facial beauty care products. One important last word. Pay special attention to the skin near the eyes as it is thinner and more sensitive than the rest of your face. Drink lots of water and use cream to rehydrate.