By Staff Reports
(HONOLULU) – The City and County of Honolulu, in partnership with the Mayor’s Office of Culture and the Arts (MOCA), is proud to support The Renkon Project, a multi-day cultural program honoring the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Through live performances, film projections, and interactive workshops, The Renkon Project invites the community to reflect on the lasting impacts of these historic events while uplifting the deep, interconnected bond between all living things.
The program begins on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, with a free outdoor film projection and performance at the Waikīkī War Memorial Natatorium, commemorating the anniversary of the Hiroshima bombing.
This year’s observance holds special meaning following Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s visit to Hiroshima in August 2025, where he honored the memory of those lost and reaffirmed Honolulu’s commitment to peace. During his visit, Mayor Blangiardi met with Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui and Council Chair Norihiko Hachijo, and toured the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum.
See a link to photos of the Mayor’s visit here.
“Standing in Hiroshima, I was profoundly moved by the resilience of its people and their unwavering message of peace,”said Mayor Blangiardi. “As we observe this solemn anniversary in Honolulu, we are reminded to reaffirm our commitment to peace, healing, and the understanding that our shared future depends on how we care for one another. The Renkon Project beautifully embodies these values through art and cultural exchange.”
Curated by Naomi Noe Tanigawa, The Renkon Project brings together artists from Hawai‘i, Japan, and across the globe in a multi-ethnic, multi-generational collaboration. The name Renkon — Japanese for lotus root — symbolizes the strength and beauty that can emerge from devastation.
“Idealism is hard to find in these divisive times,” said Tanigawa. “That’s why it’s important to share Hawai‘i’s story about aloha ‘āina, the relationship between all living things. Nuclear bombs would never be created by a society rooted in aloha ‘āina.”
Event Schedule:
Hiroshima 80th Anniversary: Film Projection Premiere
Date: Wednesday, August 6, 2025
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Waikīkī War Memorial Natatorium
Featuring: Butoh Master Hiroko Tamano and Taiko Master Kenny Endo
Details: Outdoor film projection and live performance in remembrance of Hiroshima.
Admission: Free and open to the public.
Please note: Parking at Kaimana Beach will be limited for beach users on Wednesday, August 6, from 4:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. due to event setup and activities.
Nagasaki 80th Anniversary: Kenny Endo’s 50th Taiko Celebration
Date: Saturday, August 9, 2025
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Kennedy Theatre, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
Event: Kenny Endo’s “Ma vs. Groove” concert
Details: The concert includes a commemorative film projection and taiko performance honoring Nagasaki.
More information: https://kennyendo50.com
The Renkon Project is co-sponsored by the Mayor’s Office of Culture and the Arts and Puʻuhonua Society, with fiscal sponsorship from Ho‘ākea Source / Andy Warhol Foundation for the Arts.