Youth Artists Spread Peace at Sadako Peace Projects

On March 25, 2023, the Japan-America Society of Hawaii in collaboration with Pacific Historic Parks welcomed the cast of Ohana Arts’ “Peace On Your Wings” as volunteers for our Sadako Peace Projects at Pearl Harbor National Memorial. “Peace On Your Wings” is inspired by the real-life story of Sadako Sasaki and her one-thousand paper cranes, sharing her message of courage, love, and peace.

Teaching visitors how to fold cranes

The young artists, composed of talent from 6th-11th grade, spread the story of Sadako Sasaki and her message of peace and reconciliation by sharing orizuru ‘peace cranes’ with park visitors. They shared Sadako’s story and powerful message and taught visitors how to fold their own peace crane. Visitors were also encouraged to take home cranes donated by students in Japan to further spread the importance of peace with their friends and families at home.

The cast also paid their respects at the USS Arizona Memorial and deepened their understanding of the events of Pearl Harbor.

To wrap up the morning, the cast performed songs from “Peace On Your Wings” in front of the USS Arizona Bell.

In front of Sadako’s museum exhibit

Mahalo to the “Peace On Your Wings” cast, Ohana Arts Co-Founders Jenny Taira and Laurie Rubin, and their friends and families who supported this volunteer project. To learn more about “Peace On Your Wings,” including their upcoming tour dates in Hiroshima, please visit https://www.peaceonyourwings.com/.

The Sadako Peace Projects were co-founded by retired Punahou Japanese language faculty Hiromi Peterson and Naomi Hirano-Omizo. JASH took over coordination of the projects in 2021. The projects are held monthly during the academic year. If you or your youth organization are interested in volunteering, please visit https://www.jashawaii.org/sadako-projects or contact JASH Program Specialist Christianne Ono at cono@jashawaii.org.