2025 Hiroshima Peace Scholarship Delegates Prepare for Hiroshima
Our 2025 Hiroshima Peace Scholarship (HPS) scholars Chloe Tonda (Punahou School) and Mia Nishiguchi (Kalani High School) and chaperone Mr. Todd Oshima (Moanalua High School) have been busily preparing for their 10-day trip to Hiroshima. As part of their preparations for their summer trip, the delegates have attended monthly educational workshops. They have developed friendships with fellow peacebuilders in Hawaii; learned about the history and effects of World War II in the US and Japan; practiced how to share their perspectives to the media; and worked on presentations and research projects that they will present in Hiroshima.
(L-R) HPS Co-Founder Hiromi Peterson, 2024 HPS Scholars Charles Reid-Selth and Mia Takahashi, 2025 HPS Scholars Mia Nishiguchi and Chloe Tonda, and HPS Co-Founder Naomi Hirano-Omizo
In March 2025, this year’s HPS Scholars participated in multiple events, including 2024 HPS Scholar Mia Takahashi’s Peace Forum at Hawaii Baptist Academy (HBA), an exchange with students from Hiroshima Jogakuin High School, and Sadako Peace Projects at Pearl Harbor. At the HBA Peace Forum, the scholars explored different approaches to conflict resolution and engaged in thoughtful discussions with their peers on pathways to peace. During their exchange with Jogakuin students, the scholars listened to a special presentation from HPS Co-Founder Naomi Hirano-Omizo about her grandfather’s story as a Japanese-American incarcerated during WWII. The students also enjoyed building friendships with the Jogakuin group, with plans to reunite during their visit to Hiroshima this August.
At Sadako Peace Projects, the scholars were joined by student volunteers from Ohana Arts, who are cast members in this year’s production of Peace On Your Wings—a musical based on the life of Sadako Sasaki—which the scholars plan to watch during their upcoming trip to Hiroshima. Together, the volunteers shared Sadako’s story, highlighting her legacy as a young victim of the Hiroshima atomic bombing who became a symbol of peace. Visitors were invited to fold their own peace cranes and take home cranes with written messages of hope and peace, generously donated by students in Japan.
Sadako Peace Projects at Pearl Harbor with Ohana Arts cast members
In April 2025, the HPS Scholars continued their peace-focused learning. They watched a powerful testimony by Ms. Keiko Ogura, a hibakusha (atomic bomb survivor), whom previous HPS scholars have met in past years. The scholars also began preparing their joint self-introduction presentation about their daily life in Hawaii to share with students in Japan. In preparation for their interview research project, they learned interview techniques and tips through online resources provided by Mr. Micah Mizukami, Associate Director of the Center for Oral History at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.
Visitor Industry Charity Walk with APCC group
In May 2025, the HPS delegates joined the Visitor Industry Charity Walk alongside the Asian-Pacific Children’s Convention (APCC) group as part of Team JASH, helping to support future JASH educational programs through their participation.
JCCH Gallery Tour with Program Manager Scott Kitano
In June 2025, the HPS delegation visited the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i (JCCH) and participated in the Okage Sama De Gallery Tour, where they learned about the Japanese American immigration story to Hawaii. The tour offered valuable insights into the community’s experiences during World War II and their enduring legacy. They also received media training from Ms. Jocelyn Collado of Becker Communications, and learned how to confidently manage both their verbal responses and non-verbal poise in preparation for interviews they may participate in as representatives of this scholarship. Through hands-on practice, they experienced being interviewed various questions and received valuable feedback to help them improve. Mahalo to Jocelyn for the special coaching and to the JCCH for their generous support again this year! In addition, the scholars began assembling their senbazuru—a garland of 1,000 folded paper cranes that symbolizes peace and hope—by stringing cranes folded by themselves, friends, and family members.
(L-R) Media Training with Jocelyn Collado; Working on their senbazuru
In July 2025, the HPS scholars continued diligently preparing for their upcoming trip to Hiroshima. They successfully completed their senbazuru, which they will present at the Children’s Peace Monument in Hiroshima. The scholars also practiced their joint self-introduction presentation, refined their individual family war story interviews, and reviewed their cultural performance. These presentations will be shared with high school students and community members in Hiroshima to encourage a deeper understanding of past and present experiences in Hawaii and the U.S.
Practicing their research project presentations
As the HPS scholars eagerly anticipate their journey to Hiroshima, they carry with them meaningful stories, symbols of peace, and a deep desire to connect with others. With excitement and purpose, they look forward to sharing their experiences, learning from the people they meet, and strengthening the bonds between Hawaii and Hiroshima for a more peaceful future.
To learn more about the Hiroshima Peace Scholarship program, visit www.jashawaii.org/education/hps.
