Battleship Missouri Memorial Commemorates the 80th Anniversary of the Atomic Bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki with a Ceremony and a Grand Opening of it's Newest Exhibit: White Flash, Black Rain will be on display through February 2026
Posted on 8/13/25.Pearl Harbor, HI – (August 12, 2025) – In a solemn and moving tribute, the Battleship Missouri Memorial today marked the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki with a commemorative ceremony on the ship’s fantail, followed by the grand opening of White Flash, Black Rain, a new temporary exhibit examining the human and historical impact of the bombings and the enduring message of hope and resilience.
Leaders representing the City and County of Honolulu and the City of Hiroshima delivered remarks that underscored the importance of remembrance and the shared pursuit of peace.
“This ceremony is a reminder that history’s most difficult chapters must be remembered, not hidden away,” said Michael Carr, President & CEO of the USS Missouri Memorial Association. “Hearing from survivors and seeing artifacts from Hiroshima and Nagasaki brings history off the page and into the hearts of all who visit. The Battleship Missouri Memorial has always been a symbol of peace, but today it also stands as a place of reflection for the events that led to that peace.”
Two Oʻahu high school students, Chloe Tonda of Punahou School and Mia Nishiguchi of Kalani High School, both recipients of the Hiroshima Peace Scholarship, also shared their reflections. Shaped by their recent 10-day educational journey to Hiroshima, which included visits to the Peace Memorial Museum and conversations with survivors, their words carried the perspective of a new generation determined to remember the past and advocate for peace.
Chloe Tonda said, “I think every country has a hard time coming to terms with the atrocities the U.S. has committed, but it is also important for countries to recognize and take accountability for these horrible actions, even if it is hard or uncomfortable to do so. Because if we don’t talk about it people will not know about it and thus, we risk it happening again.”
Mia Nishiguchi reflected, “The trauma did not end when the fires were extinguished; it echoed in the silence that followed, in the absence of innocent civilians that could not be honored, and in the stigma that clung to hibakusha (atomic bomb survivor) as if their pain were somehow contagious.”
A highlight of the event was the live testimony of Ms. Sadae Kasaoka, a hibakusha, who was just 12 years old when the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. Speaking before attendees, she shared vivid memories from August 6, 1945, when she was at home approximately 3.5 kilometers from the hypocenter. Her words offered an unflinching, personal account of the devastation and its lasting impact, an enduring reminder of the human cost of nuclear warfare.
“An atomic bomb must never be used or never be necessary. I used to say the atomic bomb was made of evil,” said Ms. Kasaoka. “[After the bombing] The City of Hiroshima was reduced to ashes, and it was said to believe nothing would grow back.”
Following the ceremony, guests were invited to a Hawaiian and Japanese blessing of its newest exhibit White Flash, Black Rain, which will be on display through February 2026. The exhibit features rare artifacts on loan from the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum, including paper cranes folded by Sadako Sasaki, a young victim of the bombings, and by former President Barack Obama. These symbols of hope, healing, and peace serve as a reminder that even in the shadow of devastation, humanity can choose compassion and understanding.
On August 6 and 9, 1945, the United States dropped atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The unprecedented blasts claimed tens of thousands of lives instantly, with many more lost in the weeks and years that followed due to injury and radiation. The attacks played a pivotal role in bringing World War II to an end but also marked the first, and only, use of nuclear weapons in warfare, shaping global discourse on peace and disarmament for the past eight decades.
This commemoration honored those lives lost and forever changed by the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Through testimony, education, and reflection, the Battleship Missouri Memorial continues to provide a place for dialogue and the pursuit of peace, 80 years later.
Photo Courtesy: Battleship Missouri Memorial
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Caption: Battleship Missouri Memorial commemorates the 80th Anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Caption: Ms. Sadae Kasaoka, Hiroshima Atomic Bomb Survivor, and Mike Carr, President & CEO of the Battleship Missouri Memorial.
Caption: Following the ceremony, a traditional Hawaiian ceremony for the grand opening of White Flash, Black Rain was held on the fantail.
Caption: Battleship Missouri Memorial’s newest exhibit White Flash, Black Rain.
Caption: Battleship Missouri Memorial Curatorial team with the recipients of the Hiroshima Peace Scholarship. Left to right: Chloe Tonda, Punahou School, Rising Senior and Mia Nishiguchi, Kalani High School, Rising Senior.
Caption: Artifacts on display at the White Flash, Black Rain exhibit.
Caption: Paper crane folding activity.
About the Battleship Missouri Memorial
Since opening in January 1999, the Battleship Missouri Memorial has attracted more than 10-million visitors from around the world with a fascinating tour experience showcasing the USS Missouri’s unique place in history. Located a mere ship’s length from the USS Arizona Memorial, the Mighty Mo completes a historical visitor experience that begins with the “day of infamy” and sinking of the USS Arizona in Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, and ends with Japan’s formal surrender aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay on September 2, 1945.
The USS Missouri had an astounding career over five decades and three wars – World War II, the Korean War, and Desert Storm – after which it was decommissioned and donated to the USS Missouri Memorial Association, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The Association operates the Battleship Missouri Memorial as a historic attraction and oversees her care and preservation with the support of visitors, memberships, grants, and donations.
The Battleship Missouri Memorial is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Military, kama‘āina (local resident) and school group pricing is available. For information or reservations, call (808) 455-1600 or visit USSMissouri.org.
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Media Contact:
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Jaclyn Hawse
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