Peace Scholars from Hiroshima Welcomed in Hawaii
The Hawaii Heiwa Scholarship (HHS) is the reciprocal program to the Hiroshima Peace Scholarship (HPS) which JASH started administering in 2023. From March 24-April 2, 2024, two HHS Scholars, Ms. Haruka Morisako of Kamo High School and Ms. Iori Kimura of Hiroshima Jogakuin High School came to Hawaii to learn about Hawaii's history, focusing on Pearl Harbor, Japanese immigration, Nisei Veterans, and Japanese internment, and to discuss current events and peacebuilding activities with their peers in Hawaii. Ms. Nao Tanaka, who welcomed Hawaii’s 2023 HPS scholars in Hiroshima, joined as the HHS chaperone.
HHS scholars Iori, Haruka, and chaperone Nao arrived in Hawaii
Arrival (3/25) - Welcome to Hawaii!
The group’s first full day in Hawaii focused on the history of Hawaii and Japanese immigration. They visited Hawaii Plantation Village in Waipahu in the morning and Bishop Museum in the afternoon for Japanese-speaking docent tours. Scholars learned about why Japanese people came to Hawaii in the Meiji Era and how the first Japanese immigrants used to live as plantation workers in Hawaii. Haruka and Iori also enjoyed hands-on experiences at the Bishop Museum, such as trying traditional Hawaiian music instruments.
(L-R) Visiting Hawaii Plantation Village; Visiting Bishop Museum
KUHIO DAY (3/26) - Long but very productive day at Pearl Harbor for the HHS scholars
In the morning, the group participated in JASH’s Sadako Peace Projects with other volunteers, joined by the 2023 HPS scholars, 2024 HPS scholars, and students from the Matsunaga Institute for Peace at the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa (UHM). After visiting the Arizona Memorial in the morning tour, Haruka and Iori were nervous to speak with visitors in English to tell the story of Sadako Sasaki, though enjoyed showing them how to make origami cranes. One of the 2024 HPS scholars, who participated in the Sadako Projects prior to this event, supported Haruka and Iori when they needed assistance.
After a quick lunch break, the group visited the USS Battleship Missouri to learn about the end of WWII in Hawaii. They noticed how differently the information was presented and realized the importance of learning history from different perspectives.
(L-R) HPS & HHS collaboration at Sadako Peace Projects; Learning about the end of WWIII on the USS Battleship Missouri
Lecture Day (3/27) - at the JASH office with one of the 2024 HPS scholars
In the morning, the group met Ms. Dorinda Nicholson on zoom, who is the author of a book titled “Pearl Harbor Child” and also the girl wearing a gas mask in a photo they saw at Pearl Harbor. Although Haruka and Iori watched Ms. Dorinda’s recorded talk about her book beforehand, they were quite nervous to meet her, and prepared many questions to ask in advance. Ms. Dorinda was open-minded and shared her experiences and feelings to the group and answered questions without hesitation. The group truly appreciated the opportunity to meet and hear from her firsthand.
They also heard a lecture from Dr. Gail Okawa of Youngstown University, titled “From Hiroshima to Santa Fe”. She taught the scholars about the history of Japanese issei (first-generation) immigrants and internees of WWII, sharing her research on lives of her grandfather and other isseis who immigrated to the United States. Scholars learned about the long journey of Hawaii’s issei internees of WWII by looking at multiple routes shown on a map of Hawaii and the US mainland.
These lectures gave the group much to think about as they reflected on different perspectives of the war and peace in the U.S. and Japan, as “kagaisha” and “higaisha”, who harmed others and who became victims.
(L-R) Photo of Ms. Dorinda wearing a gas mask during WWII at Pearl Harbor; Meeting Ms. Dorinda on Zoom; Learning more about Japanese Americans from Dr. Gail Okawa
Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii (3/28)
One of the main highlights of this program was visiting the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii (JCCH) to learn about Japanese immigration and Japanese internment. The group looked around the Honouliuli exhibit and Okage Sama De exhibit, guided by Mr. Scotto Kitano, Program Manager of JCCH.
The itinerary also included volunteering at JCCH the next day. The group worked with 2024 HPS scholars at JCCH to fold brochures and make sakura flowers with origami paper for a special hanami celebration, which was held on April 13. Scholars enjoyed making colorful sakura flowers thinking of Japan, and also as if they were planning to attend this event together.
(L-R) Learned the history of Japanese American in Hawaii at the Okage Sama De exhibit; HHS and HPS joint service learning at JCCH with HPS co-founders and JCCH president
Good Friday (3/29) - became a little emotional Memorial Day
The group also visited the 100th Infantry Battalion Veterans in Moiliili for a guided tour, where they met some of the members of the Japanese American Veterans community in Hawaii. Scholars learned a lot about the 100th and 442nd infantry regiment and became slightly emotional about their lives, while also being impressed by their pride and bravery. It was surprising that Ms. Naomi Hirano-Omizo, one of the co-founders of HPS who accompanied the HHS group every day, accidentally found her uncle in one of the photos displayed there. She took the group to Punchbowl in the afternoon to show them some war memorials.
(L-R) Learning about Nisei Veterans; HPS Co-Founder Ms. Omizo found her uncle in a photo
Hawaii Hiroshima Youth Peace Forum (3/30)
On March 30, JASH coordinated with Pacific Historic Parks and the Conflict and Peace Specialist at the University of Hawaii at Manoa (UHM) to host a “Hawaii Hiroshima Youth Peace Forum” which was held at Pearl Harbor National Memorial. HHS scholars met with Hawaii local high school students, UHM students, and host families at the Peace Forum. During the forum, Haruka and Iori shared about daily life in Hiroshima and compared their schools to those in Hawaii during discussions. They also presented their research project about WWII. Iori presented on what students in Hiroshima study about WWII, focusing on the atomic bomb. Haruka presented about her grandfather who had directly experienced the impacts of war. Many of the anecdotes shared were new to the Hawaii students, and they were curious to learn more about the Japanese experience.
After everyone’s presentations, Haruka and Iori asked everyone to make origami cranes and write peace messages on them. Each scholar brought these cranes back to their school to make 1,000 cranes and plan to deliver them to the Children’s Peace Monument this summer.
To read the full article on the Hawaii Hiroshima Peace Forum, please visit here.
(L-R) Haruka and Iori practiced their presentations for the Peace Forum with UHM students at Matsunaga Peace Institute on 3/28; HHS scholars presented with confidence at the Peace Forum on 3/30
Easter Sunday (3/31) - Sayonara Potluck at Kapiolani Park
To end the trip, JASH organized a sayonara potluck for the HHS scholars, and also to extend a big THANK YOU to everyone who supported the HHS program. 2023 and 2024 HPS scholars and their families, chaperones and their families, UHM faculty and students, JASH staff, and host families were all invited to spend time with the HHS scholars, and sent them off with aloha.
This gathering was one of the highlights of the trip for everyone. They truly enjoyed and appreciated the opportunity to get to meet with the JASH-Hawaii-Hiroshima community.
Everyone enjoying the food and having a great time at the Sayonara Potluck
One of the co-founders of HPS commented “I think what was most valuable was the opportunity to make personal connections among the scholars and the adults (including the host families). It seems that all of the students had, at some point, mentioned that building personal relationships is the way to open roads to achieving peace. We hope that this connection among all of the students and adults who were involved with this program will continue for years to come! “
The Hawaii Heiwa Scholarship (HHS) (est. 2020) was founded by Ms. Hiromi Peterson, a retired Japanese language faculty of Punahou School, to encourage young peacebuilders and strengthen relationships between Hawaii and Hiroshima. JASH is grateful that we finally welcomed the inaugural HHS scholars in 2024. To learn more about the Hiroshima Peace Scholarship, visit jashawaii.org/hps.
