Marking the 80^th anniversary of the atomic bombings, a Hiroshima-Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Exhibition was held from August 12, 2025, to February 28, 2026, at the Battleship Missouri Memorial (Honolulu, Hawaii, USA). This exhibition at the site where Japan signed the Instrument of Surrender with the United States and other Allied nations attracted a huge number of residents and tourists, a total of 228,940 people.
The exhibition featured 20 artifacts, including an armband worn by a junior high student killed by the bomb while working as a mobilized student, a replica of a lunchbox with its contents charred black, and an origami crane folded by former U.S. President Barack Obama, who is from Hawaii. It included photo panels illustrating the atomic bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, videos of hibakusha sharing their stories, origami crane-folding workshops, and VR headset experiences.
Hiroshima Deputy Mayor Mikiharu Nakai spoke at the opening ceremony on August 12 (local time). "It will allow visitors to see the devastating consequences that war inflicts on civil society," and "Let us pass the stories of hibakusha down through the generations, unite as citizens, and work together to achieve the abolition of nuclear weapons and lasting world peace." He was followed by Sadae Kasaoka, who was a 12-year-old first-year student at a girls high school exposed to the atomic bomb at her home 3.5 km from the hypocenter. She shared her experiences using photographs and paintings. Her presentation received tremendous applause and a standing ovation. Attendee comments included, "Nuclear weapons must be abolished" and "It conveyed a powerful message that we must never repeat such a tragedy."
To help Honolulu residents understand what the atomic bombing actually wrought, a network of Japanese-Americans whose families had come from Hiroshima helped us organize hibakusha testimony sessions and poster exhibitions. These events took place at Pearl Harbor National Memorial, Honpa Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin, the University of Hawaii at Manoa, Punahou School, and the University of Hawaii at Hilo.
Our visitor survey garnered comments such as: "Through these photos and videos, I understood what actually happens when a nuclear bomb explodes." "I was shocked by the terror of atomic bombs and what they do to innocent people." "It made me feel sorrow for the victims and fear nuclear weapons." "Humanity has no need for such destructive power." "It's a very meaningful educational experience for the next generation. I hope we can learn from the past and move toward a brighter future."