On Aug. 6, 1945, the U.S. dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan.

On Monday, dozens came together for the annual Hiroshima Commemoration and Peace Ceremony at Izumo Taishakyo Mission of Hawaii in downtown Honolulu.

“We gather here today to remember the victims of the atomic bombing, both who lost their lives and those whose lives are forever affected because of that bombing. But let’s also recognize that we are the inheritors of that legacy and a powerful exercise about that legacy is the acts of reconciliation,” said Ed Hawkins, executive director, city Office of Economic Development, who spoke on behalf of Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell. “True reconciliation must include both sides, the perpetrator and the victim coming together not to forgive and forget, but to forge mutual understanding which is the only path to achieving lasting peace.”

In 1985, the Hiroshima prefecture presented Hawaii with a replica of the Hiroshima Peace Bell in recognition of their long-standing and strong relationship.

Last August, then-President Barack Obama visited Hiroshima to pay respect to the victims of the bombing. He was the first sitting American president to ever do so.