How fortunate we are in Hawaii! A second paper crane folded by Sadako Sasaki has found its home here in the Islands, manifesting her aspiration for peace, “I shall write Peace on your wings and you shall fly all over the world.” Sadako died of leukemia in the aftermath of the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima.

The presentation ceremony took place in the Captain’s Cabin on board the USS Missouri on June 29, 2019, as the 87th Annual US Mayors Conference was being hosted by Mayor Kirk Caldwell and the City and County of Honolulu. Sadako’s nephew, Yuji Sasaki of the Sadako Legacy, presented the tiny paper crane to Meghan Rathbun, Curator of the USS Missouri Memorial Association Inc. The crowd of local dignitaries included the Consul General Koichi Ito of the Japanese Consulate in Honolulu and even a few international guests from Japan.

Edwin Hawkins organized the ceremony and emceed the event, introducing each of the evenings speakers: the Honorable Mayor Kirk Caldwell, Yuji Sasaki, Meghan Rathbun, and Bishop Eric Matsumoto of Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii. The reflection delivered by Bishop Matsumoto is available online.

Earlier in the day, Bishop Matsumoto addressed the 62nd Jr. YBA State Convention where he credited and applauded the Hawaii Federation of Jr. Young Buddhists Associations for their successful endeavors in establishing “Peace Day” in Hawaii (September 21), propelling Hawaii Kyodan’s involvement for world peace.

Photo courtesy of Robyn Omuro-Osaki, USS Missouri Memorial Association

See also
Reflection delivered by Bishop Matsumoto at the event