“We do not want the U.S. training anywhere to do to others what the U.S. has already done to Hawaii: overthrow and occupy its government and nation, desecrate its sacred sites, and contaminate its air, land, water, people, plants, and animals with a wide range of military toxins.”

That was Jim Albertini in 2011, opposing the U.S. Army’s High Altitude Mountainous Environment Training on the slopes of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa. Albertini has spent most of his adult life dedicating himself to the protection of Hawaii and advocating for simple living and anti-militarism.

In 1970, Albertini had come from Pennsylvania to Hawaii for a teaching job, but, as he says, “more and more, I felt the call to the simple life, the stand point of the taro patch, as we call it.” Within a decade, he had founded Malu ’Aina (Land of Peace) as a Center for Non-Violent Education and Action: “A family said to us, ‘We have this piece of land . . .. If you can make use of it, we’d be glad to donate it.’” The Center—22 acres, 14 of which is forest—is located 10 miles south of Hilo on the Big Island of Hawaii. Albertini describes Malu ’Aina as a spiritual community based on peace, justice, and sustainable organic farming, intended to be passed on to future generations.

But protesting against perceived wrongs often has more dire consequences than does organic farming. Albertini has been arrested dozens of times for protesting. Perhaps the most serious event was in 1984, when he jumped into Hilo Harbor to block a nuclear-armed warship from entering the harbor. The ship’s path violated the Nuclear-Free Zone declared by a vote of the County Council of Hawaii. Albertini took this drastic action to protest the violation and to call attention to the need to reduce nuclear armaments. The dire consequences? He was sentenced to three years in a Federal penitentiary and served more than 20 months.

After his time in prison, Albertini returned home to Malu ’Aina, where he continues to pursue both anti-militarism and “natural” living. He says about the anti-militarism, “We continue to stand against dropping bombs and building more prisons as solutions for anything.” And as for natural living, “We oppose genetically engineered and irradiated food.” Malu ’Aina continues to thrive. The members catch their own rainwater; use small-scale solar energy, and composting toilets; they raise fish; and grow fruit and vegetables, both for themselves and to share with people in need. They sell some produce at market to cover their expenses, but they don’t sell to retail outlets or wholesalers.

“When people ask us what is our main crop, I always answer, ‘It’s justice; that’s our main crop. It’s justice and peace.’”