The Ancient Japanese tradition of oregami is being taught at a retirement community in Mililani. For the students, it's more than a class. For the teacher, it's a mission.

One after another, square pieces of colorful paper are removed from their packages. The intricate folding of the paper into cranes begins. Eddie Joseph was inspired to create a thousand and one cranes after visiting hiroshima japan and seeing the peace park there.

"And I just thought it would be appropriate for us to add our names to those who before us expressed the sorrow for the devastation to property and lives," said Joseph.

The crane is a symbol of peace and long life. The ladies are more than half way to their goal.

"When we reach our goal of 1001 cranes then we will have a luncheon and we will decide how we're going to go from there," said Joseph.

Eddie has talked with Mayor Mufi Hannemann about the project. Honolulu and Hiroshima have a sister city relationship and the cranes, one way or another will wind up in Hiroshima. Ethyl Sunada, for one, is proud of that.

"I feel great. I feel honored, really. Because we're doing this for the hiroshima - all those who died in hiroshima in the atomic bomb, yeah?," said Sunada.

Aside from the symbolism the cranes represent, there is therapeutic value to these sessions.

"I've gotten comments from the ladies that it helps their minds. It keeps them active, it helps with their arthritic fingers. And I notice the fellowship that they have since we have been folding the cranes," said Joseph.

Eddie Joseph spent time with the martin luther king jr. Federal holiday commission traveling the country talking with young people about non-violence. The cranes are an extension of his philosophy.

"We must find peaceful means for resolving our areas of conflict," said Joseph.