The sites of two devastating attacks during World War II, Pearl Harbor in 1941 and Hiroshima in 1945, became “sister parks” on Thursday, June 29, 2023.
U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel and Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui, representing the Pearl Harbor National Memorial and the Peace Memorial Park of Hiroshima, signed the symbolic arrangement at the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo.
HONOLULU – Wayne Miyao, President of the Honolulu Hiroshima Kenjinkai, reported to Cultural News background history of the establishment of the “Sister Parks” relationships between Pearl Harbor and the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park.
By Wayne Miyao, President of the Honolulu Hiroshima Kenjin Kai
One of my ideas has been to create a “sister park” relationship between Pearl Harbor and the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park.
Unfortunately, World War II in the Pacific started with the devastating attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 and ended with the tragic bombing of Hiroshima on August 6, 1945. Pearl Harbor and Hiroshima City have been known for war, suffering, pain, and nightmarish memories.
With my idea, met with Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui’s staff to propose this concept on October 3, 2017. They agreed with my idea, but felt that there may be some resistance from the “hibakusha” (or atomic bomb survivors) and to be patient.
With this assurance, I made a formal speech to the public announcing my idea at our Hiroshima Commemoration and Peace Service on August 6, 2018 in Honolulu.
Since then, whenever I meet with Mayor Matsui or his staff, we discussed my initiative.
Have been also discussing my concept with the Superintendents of Pearl Harbor over the years and they have agreed that such a sister park relationship should be made and would benefit both parks.
In early April 2023, the staff of Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui informed me that a U. S. Embassy official, Richard Mei, of the U. S. Consulate in Osaka, Japan had contacted Mayor Matsui to discuss
a possible “sister park” relationship. Mayor Matsui’s staff informed Richard Mei that the “sister” park idea was made in 2018 by Wayne Miyao, President of the Honolulu Hiroshima Kenjin Kai.
On April 16, 2023, Richard Mei called and we discussed my idea of the establishment of such a partnership. Subsequent phone calls and e-mails were shared during the latter part of April and in early May.
Initially, it was believed that the “sister park” partnership would be signed at the G-7 Summit held in Hiroshima from May 19 -21, 2023. However, with the surprise attendance of President Zellenskyy of Ukraine to the G-7 Summit, the “sister park” pact was not realized.
In the weeks to follow, I have been in discussions with Richard Mei and his staff, Tom Leatherman, Superintendent of Pearl Harbor, and Hiroshima Mayor Matsui’s staff.
It was decided that Hiroshima Mayor Matsui would seek approval from his Hiroshima City Council as well as from consent from several survivor groups in Hiroshima. If the responses received were favorable, Mayor Matsui would agree to sign the partnership agreement.
Finally, an agreement was reached that a “sister park” relationship was agreed upon and signed on June 29, 2023 by U. S. Ambassador Rahn Emanuel and Hiroshima City Mayor Kazumi Matsui at the U. S. Embassy in Tokyo.
There has been some protests from several groups in Hiroshima, but Mayor Matsui did not feel their discontent was warranted and signed the agreement.
“Sister Parks” relationship would build another bridge of friendship between US and Japan
In reflecting on the nearly six-year period which has transpired since he announced his idea of the “sister parks” partnership, Miyao said, “Hawaii and Hiroshima have so many ties and partnerships which have been established over the past 120 years. The creation of a “sister park” relationship between Pearl Harbor and the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park would build another bridge of friendship, goodwill, peace and reconciliation between Honolulu and Hiroshima City, as well as with Japan and the United States!
Aileen Utterdyke, President and Chief Executive Officer of Pacific Historic Parks, Tom Leatherman, Superintendent of Pearl Harbor National Museum and Wayne Miyao have been invited as special guests to attend the Hiroshima Memorial Peace Service to be held on August 6, 2023.
Despite the heat and humidity, our journey to Hiroshima was memorable and will leave memories which will last throughout our lifetime. We were honored to attend the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony, meet U. S. Ambassador Rahn Emanual and so many dignitaries including Hiroshima Governor Hidehiko Yuzaki, attend various forums/meetings and participate in a press conference with Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui.
Miyao concluded his remarks with the following comments: “The challenge now will be to develop further programs/exchanges between the two parks promoting the memory of the unfortunate victims as well as attract the younger generation in Hiroshima and Japan as well as Honolulu and the United States to learn the perils of war.”
“Please join us in supporting this “sister parks” partnership now and for the future!”