The GHRP is essential to the work of HIHR in relation to the history of Hawaii. While HIHR was at the Ruckus Camp where the seeds were planted for Seattle World Trade Organization peaceful protest, HIHR knows the movement for global justice must be waged in our own communities and the global civil society. HIHR offered teach-ins during the Battle in Seattle and continues to offer this service during every WTO meeting – no matter where it goes. HIHR also participated as part of the peace staff at Ruckus training camps to provide practical skills for the global justice movement specifically on World Bank projects in Tibet. HIHR continues with campaigns aimed to create accountability and democratic principles into international trade and finance from World Bank Bond Boycott to Fair Trade Products.

          HIHR also connects its historical links to globalization with the illegal overthrow in Hawaii by business leaders and the consequent decisions of use and natural resources for international economic interest. The role of racial discrimination toward indigenous peoples and minorities is always included in the analysis and action against global apartheid in the movement for global justice for all. HIHR continue its efforts to provide nonviolent training to assist people voice their challenges to a corporate agenda beyond citizen approval.

          While HIHR is active in International Financial Institutions decision-making process such as the World Bank being active participants in the streets as well as select meetings with scholars and legal strategists, HIHR spearheaded the regional effort during the Asian Development Bank annual meeting in Honolulu. HIHR provided the organizational umbrella to host farmers, village organizers, legal advocates, cultural practitioners, peace leaders to speak truth to power meeting with government representatives as well as staff and president of the ADB. HIHR actively coordinated the nonviolent trainings and festival of resistance while also meeting at high level panels at the East West Center and private sessions with staff to voice concerns about projects and provide possible solutions to support human rights of people in the region. HIHR captured headlines across Hawaii but more importantly the hearts of the people for standing up for human rights in our home. HIHR also reinforced the necessity for a human rights regional mechanism in Asia-Pacific.

          HIHR has been active in the global sessions at the United Nations aiming to create an international moral and legal standard providing framework for finance and fundamental freedoms to coexist in a spirit of equality and human dignity for all peoples. After the adoption of the draft norms at the international level, HIHR shares the articles of adoption to any business in Hawaii and the region. The Human Rights is Everybody’s Business Project allows for HIHR to offer workshops and trainings of the principles of human rights to all corporations in Hawaii to create working conditions for liberation of labor standards as well as transparency and accountability enshrined in the Draft Norms on the Responsibilities of Transnational Corporations and Other Business Enterprises with Regard to Human Rights.

          HIHR is dedicated to seeking positive examples of ethics and economic entrepreneurship. HIHR coordinated with its service learning program after a visit from fair trade chocolate representative in Ghana to sell chocolate in schools and share the true taste of chocolate with students while also providing scholarships to girl-children to earn college degrees. HIHR is also exploring similar economic ventures that provide funds but also fundamental rights to the people.