June 2026

A Day of National Pearl Harbor Remembrance 

The National Pearl Harbor Remembrance 85th Commemoration honors a legacy defined by

unwavering courage and enduring commitment. With the 85th anniversary six months away, Pacific Historic Parks and the National Park Service are planning a week of commemorative activities from Dec. 6-8, 2026. We are also pleased to announce that the event theme is Courage of Commitment, carrying a solemn yet resolute tone, blending bravery and duty with quiet strength. The theme not only underscores the heroism of that fateful day, but also the steadfast dedication that continues to echo across generations as we pay tribute to those who faced the unimaginable adversity in the conflict with Japan, thrusting the U.S. into World War II in the Pacific.  

The highlight of the 85th Commemoration is our special guest of honor - Clifton Truman Daniel, who will deliver the keynote remarks. He is the grandson of the 33rd President of the United States, Harry S. Truman, who authorized the atomic bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki to end the war.

A Somber Day of Remembrance 

Thousands visited the USS Arizona

Memorial over Memorial Day weekend, taking part in solemn observances to honor fallen U.S. servicemen and servicewomen who made the ultimate sacrifice in past conflicts, including December 7, 1941.

The three-day commemorative

program included the poignant Sadako Peace Ceremony, symbolizing enduring U.S.-Japan reconciliation. At the Pearl Harbor National Memorial Visitor Center, Pacific Historic Parks greeted visitors and Hawaiʻi residents alike for the reverent Sadako Peace Flame Extinguishing Ceremony. The fragile flame, drawn from an ember burning since the Hiroshima atomic bombing in 1945, was transported from Japan to Hawaiʻi, carrying a legacy of loss and hope.

Guest speaker Hidetoshi Tojo offered moving reflections on his great-grandfather, Hideki

Tojo, Japan’s wartime prime minister who directed the attack on Pearl Harbor. He recounted that, despite walking in handcuffs toward the gallows, his great-grandfather, a prisoner of war, shook hands with American prison guards with whom he had formed an unexpected bond. He continued to say that his great-grandfather accepted his role in starting the unprovoked attack on Pearl Harbor.

Scan to read Hidetoshi Tojo's full remarks from the Sadako Peace Ceremony.

Other Memorial Day activities included the Live Dive of the USS Arizona. It was conducted by Navy and NPS Submerged Resources Center divers, joined by members of the Wounded Warrior Project.   

In Remembrance of Aunty Meli of Kalaupapa

Meli Tuileata Watanuku, who passed

away last month at the age of 92, lived a life of profound humility, unwavering faith, and devoted service to the close-knit community of Kalaupapa on the island of Molokaʻi. Her story was one of both hardship and extraordinary resilience, and we at Pacific Historic Parks embrace her memory and say a fond “Aloha” to her. 

The ever-friendly Aunty Meli, who

was diagnosed with Hansen's disease at age 18, posed to take a photo at the historic St. Philomena Church in Kalawao during one of her stops along the Kalaupapa Saints Tour. The National Park Service helps to preserve both the beauty and history of the former settlement. Aunty Meli’s Celebration of Life Memorial service was held in Honolulu on May 29, 2026. Her final resting place will be in Kalaupapa. 

Flag Day

Color your world with tints of red, white, and blue for National Flag Week from June 14-20, 2026. Visitors and Hawaiʻi residents alike can purchase a flag and request that it be flown on the USS Arizona Memorial.

Stewardship at

Lēʻahi Diamond Head State Monument

Kids to Parks Day brought energy, curiosity,

and joy to the iconic Diamond Head landmark on Oʻahu, serving as a shining example of Pacific Historic Parks’ commitment to preserving this treasured site. 

Supported by Pacific Historic Parks and

the generosity of donors and community partners, this annual celebration was held on May 16, 2026 - transforming Lēʻahi - Diamond Head State Monument into a lively outdoor classroom where keiki (children) could hike, discover, and connect with the ʻāina (land) and its stories.

Rooted in the Hawaiian spirit of mālama ʻāina,

the event encouraged future generations to embrace stewardship, cherish Hawaiian culture, and appreciate the deep historical significance of this iconic landmark. By blending adventure, education, and cultural pride, Kids to Parks Day helps ensure that Diamond Head continues to inspire and welcome generations to experience this treasure. 



The theme of Kids to Parks Day - Year of

Our Coastal Kuleana - emphasized the shared responsibility to care for Hawaiʻi's coastlines and parks.

We hope these ongoing stories in our newsletters stir something deep within you - stories of courage, sacrifice, and duty from the heroes of our Greatest Generation to the civilians whose lives were forever changed. Each story is a living tribute, and it is through your compassion and generosity that these voices continue to be heard.

We are profoundly grateful for your support and monetary donations. Because of you, we are able to carry forward this sacred mission through education, interpretive programs, research, preservation, and restoration. Together, we ensure that the memory of these defining moments is never lost, and that the individuals connected to the USS Arizona Memorial and other historic Pacific sites are honored with the reverence and remembrance they so deeply deserve.

Your kindness helps keep their legacy alive.



Pacific Historic Parks is the leading organization supporting significant historical sites in the Pacific for future generations. Through education, interpretive programs, research, preservation, and restoration, we work to perpetuate the memory of events and honor the people involved in these historic Pacific locations.