A Special Sadako Peace Projects: Connecting Students from Hiroshima and Hawaii
On August 29, 2026, the Japan-America Society of Hawaii (JASH), in collaboration with Pacific Historic Parks (PHP), hosted a special Sadako Peace Projects at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial. The event brought together seven visiting students from Hiroshima, who were participating in a student exchange program organized by PHP in partnership with the City of Hiroshima, with high school student volunteers from University Laboratory School and Punahou School. The special program provided an opportunity for the students to connect through Sadako Sasaki’s story and her message of peace.
The morning began with an icebreaker activity that gave the Hiroshima and Hawaii students an opportunity to get to know one another and build connections before welcoming memorial visitors. The students then divided into two groups, rotating between two activities throughout the morning. One group folded peace cranes with visitors while the other participated in a learning activity in the Education Classroom. As part of the learning activity, the Hiroshima students gave a short presentation about life in Hiroshima, the history of the atomic bombing, and shared their thoughts on peace, giving the Hawaii students an opportunity to learn from their experiences and perspectives. The groups then switched activities so that all of the students could take part in both experiences.
While folding cranes with visitors, the students shared the inspiring story of Sadako and her message of peace with visitors from across the continental United States, London, Japan, Egypt, and Australia. Having students from Hiroshima participate added a special connection to the program, allowing visitors to hear directly from young people from the city where Sadako Sasaki lived. The exchange also gave the Hiroshima students an opportunity to share their experiences with Hawaii students and visitors from around the world.
We are grateful to the students from University Laboratory School and Punahou School for volunteering their time, and to our Hiroshima students, PHP, and the City of Hiroshima for making this special exchange possible. Together, the students helped carry forward Sadako’s enduring message of peace and connection.
To learn more about the Sadako Peace Projects and how your keiki, family, or youth organization can get involved, please visit jashawaii.org/education/spp.
