‘Break down social boundaries’: Mediation center hosting free lunchtime talk

The nonprofit Ku‘ikahi Mediation Center invites the public to a free talk from noon-1 p.m. Thursday as part of its “Finding Solutions, Growing Peace” Brown Bag Lunch Series.

This month’s speaker is Dennis Alstrand, whose topic is “Reaching Out to the ‘Other’ Side: Talk-Story on Building Bridges.”

“Do you feel political polarization is increasing and affects your relationships?” Alstrand asks. “Have you blacklisted someone or been blacklisted because of your beliefs? Are you part of a group that dislikes another group? We can break down social boundaries and explore what is behind the mindsets of others.”

In this talk-story, explore reaching out to people who seem different from you to build peaceful relations.

Alstrand is a case manager at Goodwill Industries for disabled welfare clients. He leads a large delegation of Special Olympic athletes in East Hawaii, is a member of the Puna Men’s Chorus and plays many musical instruments. Alstrand is a professionally trained volunteer mediator with Ku‘ikahi Mediation Center. He considers being happily married for 25 years one of his best achievements.

Ku‘ikahi’s Brown Bag talks are the third Thursday of each month in the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney, 655 Kilauea Ave. in Hilo. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own lunch, enjoy an informal and educational talk-story session and meet others interested in “Finding Solutions, Growing Peace.”

The series is made possible in part by funding from the Atherton Family Foundation. For more information, contact Ku‘ikahi program coordinator Al-Qawi Majidah at 935-7844, ext. 3, or majidah@hawaiimediation.org or visit www.hawaiimediation.org.