Sixty-four years to the day after an atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, about 100 people gathered yesterday at the Izumo Taishakyo Mission for the 20th Annual Hiroshima Commemoration and Peace Service and the 50th anniversary of the sister-city relationship between Honolulu and Hiroshima.

Those at the ceremony to rally for peace included Mayor Mufi Hannemann, state Sen. Brian Taniguchi and special guests from Hiroshima Prefecture — Keigo Hakojo, chairman of Hiroshima-Nishi Little League Baseball, and a Hiroshima little league baseball team.

Hannemann described Honolulu and Hiroshima as the "bookends of World War II."

America became involved in the war when Japanese forces attacked Pearl Harbor. Nearly four years later, on Aug. 6, 1945, the U.S. military dropped an atomic bomb, called Little Boy, on Hiroshima. Three days later, Fat Boy was dropped on Nagasaki. Together, the two atomic bombs killed 140,000 to 200,000 people, mostly civilians. On Sept. 2, Japan surrendered in ceremonies aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay.

Yesterday's festivities included a purification and blessing ceremony by the Rev. Daiya Amano of the Hawaii Izumo Taishakyo Mission, followed by greetings and brief words about the day's importance from Hannemann and Taniguchi.

"We find strength, courage (and) fortitude in the fact that both of our cities, today, lead efforts in proclaiming world peace," said Hannemann.

After several speeches from guest speakers and Hannemann and the crowd singing along to Michael Jackson's "We Are the World," the ringing of the Peace Bell began.

Attendees lined up to ring the bell, a replica of the Hiroshima Peace Bell given to Hawai'i in recognition of the long-standing relationship between Honolulu and Hiroshima, signifying their support of peace among nations.

"I ask all of you to please join me to promote Hiroshima spirit by showing our aloha spirit in a quest for peace in the world," said Taniguchi. "We must never forget the horror of the bombing of Hiroshima; we must always live to promote peace friendship and aloha spirit in our daily lives."