Sivakatirswami is working on a second Peace Pole to be installed at the Matsunaga Peace Garden in Hanapepe. This is fairly straight camphor log that was rescued from being disposed of. Camphor trees are common on Kauai and “grow like weeds” in some areas.

With a chainsaw the log is first squared off on four size to make a 4 sided log.

Next after careful marking, six sides are roughly cut running the saw with a guide.

We finally understood the importance of the Sthapati at iraivan. Getting a job like this done correctly is all about thinking it thru and marking everything very carefully!

Next came the power planer…

The area was wafting with the fresh smell of camphor shavings every where.

That’s it, a nearly perfect hexogonal pole. Next we install placques in six languages that say “May Peace Prevail on Earth.”

The pole is being made as the monastery’s participation in the Interfaith Roundtable of Kauai, which wanted to put some of these poles into the community.

This one will go to the Hanapepe Peace Garden. A small setting where children are taught values of tolerance and cooperation to make a better world.

Find out about the Peace Pole initiative here:

http://www.worldpeace.org/activities_peacepoleproject.html