PREF focuses on advancing education and facilitating programs in the service of peace while connecting other like-minded organizations and supporting their good work, www.prefpeace.org. Starting in the spiritually rich cultures of Hawaii and the Pacific Rim, PREF’s vision is of a reconciled global family—peaceful, prosperous and connected, dwelling on a flourishing earth. PREF was formed in July, 2001 with the specific purpose of establishing a high school for underserved adolescents from various island nations of the Pacific Rim. Moon was a religious leader from Korea well known for his interest in education and his generous support of peace-related programs. The “High School of the Pacific” opened its doors in September, 2004. Located in Kealakekua on Hawaii Island, the school was founded as a co-ed and non-sectarian leadership academy. All expenses for its students— including travel, room, board and tuition— were provided through grants from PREF. By 2008 the High School of the Pacific (HSP) was serving over 40 students drawn from the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of Palau. The school also recruited students from islands of the South Pacific including Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and Tonga. Unfortunately, the global economic downturn of 2008 affected PREF’s funding sources, resulting in the school’s closure in 2009. Today, the vision of advancing education in the service of peace remains. PREF recognizes that global change is rooted in nurturing peace and true love within individuals, families and small communities. It is on these levels that PREF now focuses its programs. PREF is funded by the Hawaiian Queen Coffee Company (HQC); the Unification Church and by individual donors.
