IN REMEMBRANCE AND REFLECTION:
Commemorating 80 Years Since the End of World War II
Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii, the Office of the Bishop, and the Peace Day Committee, in collaboration with Hawaii Betsuin and the Honolulu District Ministers Association, will host “In Remembrance and Reflection: Commemorating 80 Years Since the End of World War II” on Thursday, August 14, 2025.
On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, we gather in solemn remembrance of all those whose lives were profoundly affected by the consequences of war. We reflect on the immense human cost of conflict, and through the preservation of historical memory, we seek to deepen our understanding and commitment to peace.
Guided by the Wisdom and Compassion of Amida Buddha, we rededicate ourselves to building a community — and a world — where every life is equally valued and embraced. May this gathering inspire us to walk together on the path toward a more peaceful and harmonious society.
A Commemoration Service will take place at 5:00 p.m., in person and via Zoom. The in-person location is Hawaii Betsuin’s main temple sanctuary (Hondo). The featured guest speaker is Ms. Sadae Kasaoka from Hiroshima, Japan. Ms. Kasaoka was exposed to the atomic bomb when she was 12 years old, in her first year of girls’ high school. At the moment of the explosion, she was at home, located 3.5 km (2.2 miles) from the hypocenter of the Hiroshima atomic bombing.
On the same day, in the Hawaii Betsuin Social Hall, visitors may view an Atomic Bomb Photo Posters Exhibition from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Registration
Registration for both the service and the exhibition is encouraged but not required. (Exception: To attend the service via Zoom, registration is required so that we may send you the Zoom link). Please register regardless of how you plan to attend so we may send you event updates — for example, a message regarding viewing difficult images.
REGISTRATION: https://forms.gle/wMHp7HTYuEfMGsGK8
Honpa Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin is in Honolulu, on Pali Highway near School Street. Please note that vehicle access to the temple is from Lusitana St., behind the temple. A good address to use for navigation devices is 1742 Lusitana St. Honolulu, HI 96813 (Google Maps link).
Stairs-free access to the Hondo, and also to an elevator to go down to the Social Hall level, is available on the ocean side of the paved, back parking lot off Lusitana St. (follow elevated corridors; a campus map is available).
