2026 Hiroshima Peace Scholarship Delegates Prepare for Hiroshima
Our 2026 Hiroshima Peace Scholarship (HPS) scholars Ken Asakura (Punahou School) and Chaysie Alexa Condaya (Waipahu 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 designed to deepen their understanding of peacebuilding and the historical ties between Hawaii and Japan. Through these sessions, the scholars have developed friendships with fellow peacebuilders in Hawaii, explored the history and impact of World War II in both the United States and Japan, practiced how to share their perspectives with the media, and worked on presentations and research projects that they will present during their visit to Hiroshima.
In March 2026, the HPS scholars participated in several activities, including their first orientation workshop and an exchange with students from Hiroshima Jogakuin High School. During the orientation workshop, the scholars welcomed guest speaker Ms. Yumi Saito, a current PhD student at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and peace advocate. She introduced the concept of “peace” and its connection to Hiroshima, and also discussed the importance of Active Listening, how truly hearing and understanding others is key to building empathy and promoting meaningful dialogue. The session encouraged the scholars to think critically about the role of memory and storytelling in peace education. The students were assigned excerpts from One Day in Hiroshima: An Oral History by Nanao Kamada, and reflected on how the atomic bombing reshapes our understanding of war, peace, and human rights.
During their exchange with students from Hiroshima Jogakuin High School, the scholars listened to a presentation from HPS Co-Founder Naomi Hirano-Omizo, who shared her grandfather’s story as a Japanese American incarcerated during World War II. The exchange provided an opportunity for the students to learn from one another while building new friendships, with plans to reunite when the Hawaii delegation visits Hiroshima this August.
(L-R) Presentation by Ms. Yumi Saito; Exchange with Jogakuin students
On April 4, the scholars participated in Sadako Peace Projects at Pearl Harbor. This program is held several times throughout the school year and brings together student volunteers from schools across Oahu to share the story of Sadako Sasaki and her message of peace. The scholars were joined by the 2025 HPS scholar Mia Nishiguchi and friends, as well as students from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa International Business Organization. Together, the volunteers shared Sadako’s story with visitors, highlighting her legacy as a young victim of the Hiroshima atomic bombing who later became a global symbol of peace through the folding of paper cranes. Visitors to Pearl Harbor were invited to fold their own peace cranes and take home cranes with messages of hope and peace, generously donated by students in Japan. The HPS scholars also visited the USS Arizona Memorial, where they reflected on the shared histories of World War II in both Hawaii and Japan. They additionally had the opportunity to connect with last year’s scholars, who shared advice and encouragement about the upcoming journey.
On April 18, the HPS scholars continued their peace-focused learning. In preparation for their interview research projects, guest speaker Mr. Micah Mizukami, Associate Director of the Center for Oral History at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, joined the group via Zoom to provide guidance on effective interview techniques and oral history practices. The scholars were also assigned to watch a powerful testimony from Ms. Keiko Ogura, a hibakusha (atomic bomb survivor) whom previous HPS scholars have had the opportunity to meet in Hiroshima.
Following a thoughtful discussion of her testimony, the group participated in a special virtual conversation with Mr. Yuji Sasaki, the nephew of Sadako Sasaki. With the assistance of Ms. Yumi Saito, the scholars talked about Sadako’s legacy and the importance of continuing peace efforts across generations. They also learned about Mr. Sasaki’s role in supporting peace education initiatives, including his efforts to help fund the Sadako Sasaki exhibit at Pearl Harbor. The Sadako Peace Projects program was started thanks to his idea of encouraging visitors to fold paper cranes as a symbol of peace.
(L-R) Presentation by Mr. Micah Mizukami; Conversation with Mr. Yuji Sasaki
On May 2, the HPS delegates joined the Oahu Visitor Industry Charity Walk 2026 as part of Team JASH, alongside former and current JASH program participants. Through their participation, the scholars helped support future JASH educational and member programs while connecting with a broader community committed to service and cultural exchange.
On May 24, the HPS scholars attended the Sadako Peace Ceremony at Pearl Harbor, a commemorative event centered on remembrance, reconciliation, and the enduring friendship between the United States and Japan. The ceremony featured speeches and reflections on the importance of learning from the tragedies of war and continuing efforts toward a more peaceful future. Community members, peace advocates, and guests gathered together to reflect on the significance of peacebuilding and cultural understanding across generations. During the event, the scholars also had the opportunity to meet Masahiro Sasaki, the older brother of Sadako Sasaki, and were interviewed about their thoughts on the ceremony and how young people can help carry forward peace efforts in the future.
(L-R) Meeting Masahiro Sasaki; Scholars being interviewed
On June 20, the HPS delegation visited the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaiʻi (JCCH) and participated in the Okage Sama De Gallery Tour, where they learned about the history of Japanese immigration to Hawaii and the experiences of the local Japanese American community. The tour offered valuable insights into the community’s experiences during World War II and their enduring legacy today.
Back at the JASH office, the scholars received media training from Ms. Jocelyn Collado of Becker Communications, learning how to confidently manage both verbal responses and nonverbal communication in preparation for interviews they may participate in as representatives of the scholarship. Through hands-on practice, the scholars experienced mock interviews and received valuable feedback to strengthen their communication skills. Mahalo to Jocelyn for the special coaching and to the JCCH for their generous support again this year.
(L-R) JCCH Gallery Tour; Media training with Ms. Jocelyn Collado
On July 18, the HPS scholars continued their preparations for their upcoming trip to Hiroshima. They successfully completed their senbazuru—a garland of 1,000 folded paper cranes symbolizing peace and hope—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/friend 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 United States. To conclude the workshop, they met their host families for the first time during a Zoom meeting, giving them an opportunity to introduce themselves, begin building relationships, and look forward to their homestay experience in Hiroshima.
Finally on July 20, the HPS scholars participated in an online exchange with students from Akifuchu High School in Hiroshima. During the meeting, the scholars introduced themselves and shared their experiences with the Hiroshima Peace Scholarship program and Sadako Peace Projects. In turn, the Akifuchu students introduced their peace activities, including their kamishibai (paper theater) performances about Sadako Sasaki's story and collaborations with students from other schools to promote peace education. The delegation plans to meet with the Akifuchu students again following the Peace Memorial Ceremony on August 6 in Hiroshima, where they will watch the students' kamishibai performance. The meeting concluded with a Q&A session, during which the students discussed the importance of Sadako's message and shared their hopes for peace in their communities.
As the HPS scholars look forward to their journey to Hiroshima, they carry with them stories of resilience, symbols of peace, and a strong commitment to fostering understanding across cultures. This trip represents not only an opportunity to share their own experiences but also to listen, learn, and build connections with students and community members in Hiroshima.
To learn more about the Hiroshima Peace Scholarship program, visit our webpage at www.jashawaii.org/education/hps.
