Oct 3, 2022

Japan-America Society of Hawaii Announces 2023 Hiroshima Peace Scholarship

Japan-America Society of Hawaii Announces 2023 Hiroshima Peace Scholarship for Oahu High School Juniors

HONOLULU, Hawaii –

The Japan-America Society of Hawaii (JASH) announces the relaunching of its Hiroshima Peace Scholarship (HPS) for 2023. Selected scholars will study peace-related resources in their communities through a series of monthly workshops in Honolulu to prepare them for an educational summer trip to Hiroshima where they will explore the history and effects of World War II; actively participate in events commemorating the August 6, 1945 bombing of Hiroshima; and experience homestays with host families and exchanges with Japanese students. Upon their return to Oahu, scholars will continue developing as Peacebuilders, sharing their experiences and reflections on their time in Hiroshima with their schools and in their communities. The 2023 delegation will be the first group of Hiroshima Peace Scholars to travel since 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This program is open to Oahu high school students who are passionate about growing as Peacebuilders and fostering relationships bridging communities in Hiroshima, Japan and Hawaii. Two high school juniors, one attending a private school and one attending a public school on Oahu, will be selected to receive the Hiroshima Peace Scholarship.

Scholars will be received by HPS’ newly founded sister program, the Hawaii Heiwa Scholarship (HHS), which plans to begin sending high school scholars from Hiroshima to Hawaii in spring 2024. Through the Hawaii Heiwa Scholarship, Japanese students will learn about the history and experiences of the Japanese American Nikkei community in Hawaii; deepen their understanding of the geopolitical context leading up to the attack on Pearl Harbor; and connect with Oahu high school students and Nikkei community organizations through discussions, field trips, and homestays.

To apply, students must complete a written application including a proposal identifying a family member whose wartime experiences they want to learn more about and share with high school students in Hiroshima in order to discuss the impacts of war and the importance of peace. Finalists will also be required to attend an oral interview. Japanese language is NOT a requirement for this scholarship, and students with or without Japanese language background are encouraged to apply.

Applications may be submitted online or by mail; applications must be received by the JASH Office by January 6, 2023. Visit jashawaii.org/hps for more information and to download the application.

The Hiroshima Peace Scholarship was founded in 2009 by Hiromi Peterson and Naomi Hirano-Omizo, retired Japanese language faculty of Punahou School, to foster young Peacebuilders and strengthen relationships between Hawaii and Hiroshima. The scholarship is funded by their Japanese language textbook, “Adventures in Japanese.”

The Japan-America Society of Hawaii is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization with the mission of promoting understanding and friendship between the peoples of Japan and the United States through the special and unique perspective of Hawaii. JASH has had the honor of coordinating the HPS program since 2021, and is excited to receive the scholars of the inaugural HHS program in 2024.

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