Youth commit to peace at war memorial
By Kawehi Haug
Advertiser Staff Writer
Jordan Odo struck the Peace Bell that hangs outside the Izumo Taishakyo Mission on North Kukui Street just once yesterday i in memory of the nuclear bombing of Hiroshima.
Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser
"We can't forget our past because history tends to repeat itself," said the 16-year-old Roosevelt High School student. "We can't let this happen again. As long as we respect others, we can live peacefully and that's why we're here — to remind people that friendship brings peace."
About 135 children from the Nu'uanu YMCA took part in ceremonies at the Peace Bell near the Izumo Taishakyo Mission on N. Kukui St., singing "Let Peace Prevail On Earth" during an observation of the 58th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, Japan, that led to the end of World War II. 1,001 paper cranes hang in the foreground at the Peace Bell, presented by youngsters from the Hiroshima YMCA.
Odo, along with 120 other youngsters from the Nu'uanu YMCA and the YMCA of Hiroshima, Japan, participated in a peace service on the 58th anniversary of the atomic bombing. The service was hosted by the YMCA of Honolulu and the Izumo Taishakyo Mission.
Takashi Tanemori, a Hiroshima survivor who was orphaned when his parents were killed in the attack, talked about the damaging effects of war on children.
He urged children at the ceremony to be peacemakers. As if in response, elementary school children from the Nu'uanu YMCA sang "Let Peace Prevail On Earth."
Onlookers who knew the words sang along, and those who didn't, listened quietly and acknowledged the importance of the message.
"It's very moving to see these young people caring about something that most adults have stopped caring about," said Karen Gregory, who was just passing by and decided to stop and check things out. "I forgot that today was the anniversary of the atomic bomb — and that's a shame. We should never forget. These kids are right, peace is worth working towards."
Don Anderson, president and CEO of YMCA of Honolulu, said the annual ceremony honors a "commitment of peace and caring" between the cities of Ho-nolulu and Hiroshima. For the past 43 years, YMCAs of both cities have participated in a teen exchange program. "We don't want anything like (World War II) to happen again," said Asako Kishi, 16, of Hiroshima. "It's important for us to be here because we're making friends — and you won't hurt your friends. It's the best way to make peace."
The Hiroshima teens folded 1,001 paper cranes, strung them into a chain and draped it over the Peace Bell.
