Archbishop Desmond Tutu enjoys visiting Hawaii because the spirit of aloha reminds him of what the rest of the world can achieve.

"It’s a place where you feel the exhaustion slipping away into the surf, and the people are very friendly, warm and welcoming," Tutu said Thursday during a news conference at the Cathedral of Saint Andrew.

"One of the wonderful things is the openness of the people … and in many ways seeking to embrace others, include others, is something that one hopes the world can learn to not only appreciate, but want to live out," he said.

Tutu, retired archbishop and now archbishop emeritus of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa, is visiting Oahu for a series of private and public events at the invitation of the dean of the cathedral, the Rev. Walter B.A. Brownridge. Brownridge once served on a mission with the Episcopal Church in Cape Town, South Africa, and is a friend of Tutu’s.

"We’re honored to have who I think is the greatest Christian leader of his generation visiting Hawaii," Brownridge said.

Tutu, now 80 years old, is best known for his work to end apartheid in his home country of South Africa, as well as his international peace efforts. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984 — 10 years before the government-sanctioned racial segregation in his country was abolished.

"Many parts of the world would long to have the same acceptance of others, you know, the diversity that you have," Tutu said of Hawaii and the United States.

"The United States is one of the craziest places, really. I mean, it’s got very nice, nice people, but it’s also one of the most racist," he said. "And yet, despite all of that, you have been able to produce a black man going into the White House."

Tutu said his motivation for dedicating his life to fighting for peace, justice and the rights of the oppressed is that the world is good, and people are fundamentally good.

"Why we are shocked by badness is precisely because it is an aberration," Tutu said. "If somebody rapes, we don’t say, ‘Ah well, you know, that’s the kind of thing that happens in this world.’ We’re appalled and say, ‘This is awful, it ought not to happen,’ because we have in us the dream of a world where things like this don’t happen."

Tutu, who led the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in South Africa after apartheid ended, said he sympathizes with the Hawaiian ritual of hoo­pono­pono — a coming together for forgiveness and reconciliation — because he believes "forgiving is one of the best forms of self-love."

"When you have a grudge against someone, you know what happens," Tutu said. "You breathe fast, you can feel your heart going (pitter-patter) and you’ve got knots in the tum-tum.

"When you forgive, you untie the handcuffs that handcuff you to the perpetrator. … It’s not easy, but when you have done it, it’s one of the most liberating things."

Christopher Jackson, a soon-to-be fifth-grader at Kaimuki Christian School, was lucky enough to be the only child in the audience during Thursday’s news conference.

Tutu brought a big smile to the 10-year-old’s face when he put his arm around him after the conference and asked whether he had any girlfriends.

"With your dimples, I’m sure there must be some girls who want to come and kiss you, don’t they?" Tutu said jokingly.

"It was just amazing," Christopher, the son of KITV General Manager Andrew Jackson, said after he got to shake hands with Tutu. "I can’t believe I actually got to meet him."

Tutu will preach during the Holy Eucharist service held from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. Sunday at The Cathedral of Saint Andrew, and he will also participate in an interfaith prayer service at the cathedral from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Both events are open to the public.

Two additional events require tickets to attend: a lecture from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday on the cathedral grounds and an evening reception today that will feature dinner and a conversation between Tutu and Leslie Wilcox, president and CEO of PBS Hawaii.

Proceeds from the reception will be used to endow the Desmond Tutu Outreach Fund for community benefit ministries in Hawaii. Ticket information for both events can be obtained by calling 524-2822, ext. 577. Additional event information is listed at www.tutuatthecathedralofstandrew.org.