Pictured from left to right are U.S. Army Col. (Ret.) and HPU adjunct history faculty member John Hansen, Russell Hart, Ph.D., professor of history and faculty director of HPUʻs Diplomacy and Global Security program, U.S. Ambassador (Ret.) Jim Moriarty, and U.S. Navy Capt. (Ret.) and former visiting assistant professor at HPU Carl Schuster .
Hawaiʻi Pacific University faculty members were among the participants in the ninth Journey to Peace Thought Leadership Speaker Forum on July 4 at the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum.
Held on the 250th anniversary of the foundation of the United States, the forum, "Self-Evident Truths: Courage, Liberty, and Independence," explored how the founding ideals of the Declaration of Independence shaped American leadership during and after World War II, and how those same ideals continue to guide the nation’s ongoing journey from war to lasting peace.
Panelists included U.S. Ambassador (Ret.) Jim Moriarty, U.S. Navy Capt. (Ret.) and former visiting assistant professor at HPU Carl Schuster, and Russell Hart, Ph.D., professor of history and faculty director of HPU’s Diplomacy and Global Security program. The discussion was moderated by U.S. Army Col. (Ret.) and HPU adjunct history faculty member John Hansen.
The discussion highlighted that the U.S. has made many wise and sound decisions on the global scene throughout its history, but also errors and mistakes that history cautions us against repeating.
Russell Hart, Ph.D., holds the carved koa gift he received from the organizers of the Journey to Peace Hawaii initiative in recognition of his participation in the forum .
“The freedom and liberty we enjoy today are the fruits of the sacrifice, in many cases the ultimate sacrifice, Americans have paid in the past to defend the nation and safeguard the liberties that we enjoy,” Hart said. “The protection of liberties requires continued wise and thoughtful engagement globally.”
Audience members participated in an extended question-and-answer session exploring the forum’s themes of liberty, courage, self-governance and their relevance to contemporary global challenges.
The event is part of the Journey to Peace Hawaiʻi initiative, which brings together diplomats, military leaders, and scholars with a shared mission to educate current and future generations about conflict prevention and the pursuit of lasting peace.
The Rotary Club of Pearl Harbor, led by 2026-27 President Jana Stern, director of graduate admissions at HPU, helped support the event as a community partner of the Journey to Peace Hawaiʻi program.
Attendees also had the opportunity to view a storyboard display honoring local heroes recognized through previous Journey to Peace seminars and learn more about the initiative's educational programs.
Learn more about the initiative and view recordings of past seminars on the Journey to Peace Hawaii YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@JourneyToPeaceHawaii
