Report of Hawaiʻi’s Sister State
Committee on theState of Hawaiʻi’s
Sister-States

Business Development & Support Division

Department of Business, Economic
Development & Tourism
December 2023

A Report to the Legislature of the State of Hawaiʻi
Prepared pursuant to Act 150, SLH 2006

2023 HAWAI‘I’S SISTER-STATES REPORT

Hawaiʻi Sister-State Committee
As of 2023, the Hawaiʻi Sister-State Committee had four active members filling four ofthe five seats for this committee.

Jane Clement

Representing: Hawaiʻi State Association ofCounties

VacantRepresenting: Native Hawaiian Cultural
Organization

Kurt Osaki

Representing: Speaker of the House ofRepresentatives

Jean E. Rolles

Representing: East-West Center

Eduardo Topenio Jr.

Representing: President of the Senate

Dennis T. Ling

DBEDT – Committee Administration

Mark Ritchie

DBEDT - Committee Administration

With three committee members constituting a quorum, the Committee has been able tomeet and continue its focus on the following goals and objectives:
1. The Committee takes an active role in evaluating prospective and current
sister relationships, for both cultural and economic development reasons,with attention to fostering the most productive ties.
There is agreement that most successful sister relationships occur when:a. There is commonality between Hawaiʻi and the sister, primarily fromgeographical, historical, cultural or economic standpoints.
b. There are active and interested support groups, such as Chambers of Commerce,
cultural and civic associations.

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2023 HAWAIʻI’S SISTER-STATES REPORT
c. There are economic benefits for both sisters, such as increased numbers ofvisitors, or enhanced investment or marketing opportunities.
d. Close ties have been established between educational institutions of the twopotential sisters, including both student and faculty exchanges.
e. There is a clear, strong governmental interest in not only forming, butmaintaining the relationship.
2. To assure the productivity and viability of a sister relationship, theCommittee has further reviewed and revised the sister-state application
form. Last year, the Committee also reviewed and revised the Policies
and Procedures Manual which governs the process of nominating andevaluating prospective and existing sister-states.
In addition to completing the revised application form, additional requirements
include:a. A letter from the Governor of the proposed sister.
b. A designated point-of-contact person.
c. Recent activity reports between Hawaiʻi and the proposed sister.
d. Recommendations for future activities.
3. The Committee periodically reviews the activities of each sister relation todetermine which ties should be strengthened and which should besevered. The State has 20 sister relationships, dating back to 1981. Somerelationships have been very active (e.g., Hiroshima, Fukuoka, Okinawa,
Taiwan and Guangdong), while others have shown little or no activity(e.g., Azores Islands).

Page 2 December 2023

2023 HAWAI‘I’S SISTER-STATES REPORTSISTER-STATES (Chronological order)
COUNTRYPROVINCE/PREFECTUREYEARESTABLISHED

Japan

Fukuoka

1981

Portugal

Azores Islands

1982

Greater China

Guangdong

1985

Japan

Okinawa

1985

Philippines

Ilocos Sur

1985

Korea

Jeju

1986

Greater China

Hainan

1992

Greater China

Taiwan

1993

Philippines

Cebu

1996

Japan

Hiroshima

1997

Philippines

Pangasinan

2002

Japan

Ehime

2003

Philippines

Ilocos Norte

2005

Philippines

Isabela2006

MoroccoRabat-Sale-Zemmour-Zaer

2011

Indonesia

Bali

2014

Japan

Hokkaido

2017

India

Goa (expired)

2018

Japan

Yamaguchi

2022

Portugal

Madeira (Approved, but not signed yet)

202X

December 2023Page 3

2023 HAWAIʻI’S SISTER-STATES REPORTSISTER-STATES (Alphabetical order by country and area)
COUNTRYPROVINCE/PREFECTUREYEARESTABLISHEDGreater China

Guangdong

1985

Hainan

1992

Taiwan

1993

India

Goa (expired)2018

Indonesia

Bali

2014

Japan

Fukuoka

1981

Okinawa

1985

Hiroshima

1997

Ehime

2003

Hokkaido

2017

Yamaguchi

2022

Korea

Jeju

1986

MoroccoRabat-Sale-Zemmour-Zaer

2011

Philippines

Ilocos Sur

1985

Cebu

1996

Pangasinan

2002

Ilocos Norte

2005

Isabela

2006

Azores Islands

1982

Madeira (Approved, but not signed yet)

202X

Portugal

Page 4 December 2023

2023 HAWAI‘I’S SISTER-STATES REPORTGREATER CHINA
Guangdong Province (1985)
With the support of Guangdong Foreign Affairs Office (GDFAO), the Consulate Generalof China in Los Angeles, the Agricultural Trade Office, Beijing (ATO Beijing), and theeffort from the State of Hawai‘i Beijing Office (SHOB), and Hawai‘i Coffee Association(HCA), 12 coffee farms from Hawai‘i received the certified Unroasted Coffee and Cocoa
Beans Export Certificate from General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) in
August 2023.
In April 2023, a delegation of five individuals from the GDFAO, led by the Deputy
Director-General Mr. Luo Jun, visited State of Hawai‘i and met with DBEDT Deputy
Director Dane Wicker to exchange views with common interests for potential
collaboration between Hawai‘i and Guangdong, including but not limited to Hawai‘icoffee, trade missions, participation in travel and tourism expos, and continuously
supporting student exchange programs.
In August 2022, DBEDT and Synergistic Hawai‘i Agriculture Council (SHAC) organized avirtual coffee presentation to introduce Hawaiʻi coffee to the Chinese market. With thesupport of the Agricultural Trade Office (ATO) based in Guangzhou, 26 companies
participated in the virtual event, including JD Mall, HotelEX, coffee distributors, coffee
shop owners, and coffee roasteries.
As a result of the virtual coffee event, ATO Guangzhou has become enthusiastic about
promoting Hawai‘i coffee. The ATO office is planning to organize a similar virtual coffee
event in the future, focusing on promoting the Hawai‘i coffee industry in Guangdong
Province.
In July 2022, the Guangdong Foreign Affairs Office invited Hawai‘i schools to join the2022 GD Youth Link Painting and Calligraphy Competition. One of the organizers was
the Guangdong People’s Association for Friendship. ‘Iolani School and Pearl City
Highlands Elementary School attended the competition and won awards.
Also in 2022, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Secondary School at Zhongshan invited Punahou
school to an online musical collaboration that honors a 25-year partnership between thecities of Honolulu and Zhongshan, the birthplace of Sun Yat-sen. The two schools havebeen in a sister-school relationship since 2016.

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2023 HAWAIʻI’S SISTER-STATES REPORT
Hainan Province (1992)
In August 2023, Hainan Province sent a delegation of ten officials, led by the Vice
Governor of the People’s Government of Hainan Province, H.E. Mr. Chen Huaiyu, who
met with Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke to promote bilateral economic and tradeexchanges, particularly cooperation in trade of agricultural products, and to discuss
cooperation and opportunities in the fields of tourism, culture and people-to-people
exchanges between Hawai‘i and Hainan.
The delegation also held a Hainan Free Trade Port promotion event in Hawai‘i tointroduce the development of Haina Free Trade Port and its preferential policies, toattract and encourage Hawai‘i companies to take advantage of this Free Trade Port toexport to China.
The Hainan Foreign Affairs Office invited the State of Hawai‘i to the 24th Island Tourism
Policy Forum (ITOP) in November 2023. The forum was the first to be held in-person
after a three-year gap following the global pandemic. The meeting brought together
officials to experience the scenery, culture, and achievements of Hainan.
In 2022 Hawai‘i and Hainan celebrated the 30th anniversary of their Sister-State
Relationship; however, due to COVID restrictions in China, Hawai‘i and Hainan wereunable to plan a commemorative celebration.
There were not any other Sister-State activities between Hainan and Hawai‘i in 2021
due to the pandemic. However, the State of Hawai‘i Beijing Office (SHOB) maintained
relations and discussions with the Investment Officer of Hainan’s Department ofCommerce and the Hainan Provincial Bureau of International Economic Development(IEDB) for possible cooperation in the future.
Taiwan (1993)
In October 2023, the Taiwan Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOFA) and Taipei Economic
and Cultural Office (TECO) in Honolulu invited Hawai‘i State legislators to Taiwan topromote cooperation and exchanges in tourism, agriculture, culture, education, andtrade.
In November 2023, the Synergistic Hawai‘i Agriculture Council (SHAC) and Hawai‘i
Coffee Association (HCA) attended the 2023 Taiwan International Coffee Show to
introduce Hawai‘i Coffee to the Taiwan market. This event was held concurrently with
the Coffee Show and HAC also held a cupping event at Cuiqu Coffee in Taipei.

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2023 HAWAI‘I’S SISTER-STATES REPORTThe Taiwan Council of Indigenous People (CIP) received an invitation from Governor
Green to participate in the 2024 Festival of Pacific Art and Culture (FestPAC) and is
working with the FestPAC Commission to confirm their participation.
In 2023, Hawai‘i and Taiwan celebrated the 30th anniversary of their Sister-State
Relationship; however, due to the Maui Wildfires, Hawai‘i and Taiwan postponed thecommemorative celebration to 2024.
To assist the Hawai‘i state government and victims on Maui, the government of the
Republic of China (Taiwan) has pledged $500,000 for recovery from wildfires on August22, 2023. TECO in Honolulu, an official mission embraced humanitarian diplomacy tostrengthen ties between Taiwan and the state of Hawaiʻi, also initiated and coordinateda fundraising campaign among the communities of Taiwanese Americans and Chinese
from Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos, this campaign that raised $155,260.
Another donation came from the Taiwanese Chambers of Commerce of North America(TCCNA) which raises funds among their members around North America. On behalf ofall the members, Mr. Joey Chiang, President of TCCNA, visited Honolulu on September
18, 2023, to present a check of $145,528 to the Hawai‘i Community Foundation. TECOin Honolulu Director General Richard Lin, Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke, State
Representative Adrian Tam, and State Representative Troy Hashimoto were also invited
to the check presentation ceremony.
Including all donations, the Taiwan government and Taiwanese American community in
Hawai‘i and North America have donated more than $800,000 in aggregate to assist
with reconstruction following wildfires in Hawai‘i.
On December 4, 2022, the State of Hawai‘i was invited by the Council of Indigenous
Peoples (CIP) to deliver a speech at the 2022 Indigenous Youth Employment Function
and Exchange Activity, where 40 university students from Taiwan and Pacific Island
nations attended. The State of Hawai‘i Taipei Office (SHOT) represented Hawai‘i anddelivered a speech.
In November 2022, the Taiwan Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOFA) invited foreign
journalists to attend the World Journalist Mission to Taiwan. Hawai‘i journalists attended
as part of this mission from the U.S. to Taiwan.
On November 16, 2022, two coffee experts from Hawai‘i, Ms. Madeleine Longoria
Garcia and Mr. Miguel Meza, were invited to be guest speakers at the 2022 Pacific Rim
Coffee Summit, which is the largest Taiwan coffee event held annually in Taipei withover 300 people attending.

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2023 HAWAIʻI’S SISTER-STATES REPORTOn November 11, 2022, the Director-General of North America Affairs, Taiwan Ministryof Foreign Affairs (MOFA), Mr. Douglas Yu-Tien Hsu, held a working lunch event withrepresentatives of the United States offices to share their activities over the year. The
State of Hawai‘i was one of the invitees that attended.
In October 2022, DBEDT and the Synergistic Hawai‘i Agriculture Council (SHAC) held areverse trade mission for Taiwan coffee buyers to visit coffee farms in Hawai‘i. 12
people representing 8 different companies attended the 8-day mission to makeconnections between Taiwan buyers and the Hawai‘i coffee industry.
In September 2022, DBEDT and the Synergistic Hawai‘i Agriculture Council (SHAC)
organized and conducted a 2022 Virtual Hawai‘i Coffee Mart in Taipei to promote
Hawaiʻi Coffee and encouraged buyers to attend the reverse trade mission to Hawai‘i.
Over 50 buyers attended the event.
On August 31, 2022, the State of Hawai‘i was invited to attend an annual U.S. BusinessDay event organized by the Bureau of Foreign Trade, Taiwan Ministry of Economic
Affairs (MOFA). SHOT attended and gave a 30-minute presentation to promote
investment and import/export opportunities with Hawai‘i.
In August 2022, SHOT represented the State of Hawaiʻi at the opening ceremony of the2022 Indigenous Rights Forum organized by the Council of Indigenous Peoples (CIP).
On January 13, 2022, the State of Hawai‘i was invited by the Council of Indigenous
Peoples (CIP) to attend the Austronesia Forum and Executive Council Meeting. SHOT
represented the State at the event.
INDIA
Goa (2018)
The State of Hawai‘i and the State of Goa signed a Sister-State Agreement on October28, 2018. According to the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), the agreement
expires three years after the initial signing, which would be October 2021, unless bothparties agree to continue the relationship. DBEDT has reached out to officials in Goa
inquiring about their desire to continue the relationship but have not heard back at thetime of the writing of this report.
On October 2, 2020, the Honorable Governor of Goa, Pramod Savant participated in a
webinar organized by Honolulu-based Gandhi International Institute for Peace.

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2023 HAWAI‘I’S SISTER-STATES REPORTIn July 2021 face masks, face shields and PPE gowns were donated by the Gandhi
International Institute for Peace & the Hawai‘i Sister State Committee to theGovernment of Goa to assist them during the COVID-19 crisis.
INDONESIA
Bali, Indonesia (2014)
No activities reported for 2022-2023.
JAPAN
Hawai‘i-Japan Sister Summit (July 27-28, 2023)
DBEDT, in collaboration with the Japan-America Society of Hawai‘i (JASH), convened
the inaugural Hawai‘i-Japan Sister Summit from July 27-28, 2023, at the Hilton
Hawaiian Village Beach Resort.
With the theme, “The Ties That Bind”, the Governor of the State of Hawai‘i, the Mayorsof the City & Counties of Honolulu, Kaua‘i, Maui and Hawai‘i, and the Governors, Mayors
and designated representatives of the six sister prefectures and sixteen cities and towns
in Japan participated in the Summit. The Sister Summit was an opportunity to explore
common issues to further deepen and strengthen sister and friendship relationships by
setting goals to increase exchanges between our governments and municipalities andshare information of the respective exchange programs. In total, over 400 participants
attended the two-day event.
Each sister prefecture from Japan was represented at the Summit either by a Governor
or Vice Governor. It was the first time that all of the sister officials participated in a joint
meeting that solidified the relationships between the State of Hawaiʻi and the six
prefectures.
The State of Hawai‘i received tremendous support from the Japan sister prefectures asa result of the tragic wildfires on Maui and the devastation of Lahaina Town. The
overwhelming support has further strengthened the close ties Hawai‘i shares withJapan.

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2023 HAWAI‘I’S SISTER-STATES REPORT
Fukuoka Prefecture (1981)
The Hawai‘i Fukuoka Kenjin Kai (HFKK) is the point-of-contact for many activities
together with the Fukuoka Prefectural Government. There were numerous visits andactivities that took place between June 2022 until 2023 as follows:
The Fukuoka International Exchange Foundation traveled to Hawaiʻi to meet with HFKK
members regarding future exchanges and activities.
In January 2023, Fukuoka Prefectural Assembly members participated in the opening of
the Hawaiʻi State Legislature.
In April 2023, Governor Josh Green hosted Fukuoka Governor Seitaro Hattori and 21
members of his delegation at a reception at Washington Place. During this event both
Governors signed a sister-state reaffirmation agreement.
During the summer of 2023, Fukuoka Prefecture and Kapiolani Community College(KCC) entered into an exchange agreement where students from Fukuoka participatedin a culinary program at KCC. Students from Hawaiʻi also had the opportunity to travel
to Fukuoka to experience a culinary program there, too.
In July 2023, Fukuoka Vice-Governor Masaru Eguchi participated in the Hawai‘i-Japan
Sister Summit.
Fukuoka Prefecture, the Fukuoka Prefectural Assembly and the cities of Yame, Buzen
and Ukiha made contributions to the Maui Wildfire relief efforts in excess of $2,300,000yen.
On October 17, 2023, the Consulate General of Japan in Honolulu hosted guests from
Fukuoka Prefectural Fisheries High School. The guests included Vice Principal
Katsuyoshi Kominami, Training vessel Kaiyu-maru Captain Hirokazu Totoki and two
student representatives. Fifty-four trainees from the school departed mid-September
from Japan to spend a month at sea for longline tuna fishing training. Hawai‘i was theirlast port of call during this training program. During their five-day stay in Honolulu, they
engaged in exchanges with students from James Campbell High School and participatedin a study tour before returning to Fukuoka.
The celebration of the 40th anniversary of Hawai‘i’s Sister State relationship with
Fukuoka in August resulted in the development of a new sister school relationshipbetween Washington Middle School and Jyoyo Hokuzei Gakuen in Yame City. Bothschools have a past connection to the late U.S. Senator Daniel K. Inouye, and principals
are committed to having students learn about each other’s culture and history and will
work together to provide a mutually beneficial student exchange program.

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2023 HAWAI‘I’S SISTER-STATES REPORTThe Japan-America Society of Hawaiʻi (JASH) has coordinated and facilitated online
exchanges between Washington Middle School and Joyo Hokuzei School, located in
Yame, Fukuoka, since December 2021. Topics have ranged from sharing about holidays
and famous foods and things to do in each city, as well as personal hobbies and likes.
Since May 2023, Yame City has been directly taking care of arranging these exchanges,
with JASH supporting them as necessary. The next online exchange is scheduled to beheld on December 5, 2023, with Hawaiʻi students sharing about Thanksgiving and Yame
students sharing about their hometown.
In November 2022, a goodwill mission by a global leadership team of six secondary
school principals and two complex area superintendents led by Hawaiʻi Department of
Education (HDOE) Superintendent Keith Hayashi and Board of Education Chair Bruce
Voss visited six prefectures in Japan that have relationships with Hawaiʻi, including
Fukuoka.
During the visit to Fukuoka, HDOE officials toured Kyushu Sangyo University (KSU) anddiscussed possible short-term visits by Hawaiʻi High School students. The delegation
also met with representatives of the Fukuoka Prefectural Board of Education.
Also in 2022, DBEDT welcomed 22 officials representing the Fukuoka Prefectural
Assembly and related government organizations. During the visit, the delegation madecourtesy calls on Governor David Y. Ige and representatives of the Hawai‘i State
Legislature. In addition, the visit included meeting with the University of Hawai‘i
Kapiolani Community College and Fukuoka product promotion activities on O‘ahu.
DBEDT also hosted a reception for the Fukuoka officials at Washington Place that
included Fukuoka Kenjin Kai representatives, statewide. The evening reaffirmed
Hawai‘i’s commitment to support this important relationship.
The Hawai‘i Global Education Foundation, in collaboration with HFKK and DBEDT,
received a grant-in-aid to develop memorial plaques for Governor George Ariyoshi,
former U.S. Senator Daniel Inouye, and former astronaut Ellison Onizuka. The city of
Buzen, ancestral hometown of Governor George Ariyoshi, unveiled a display at their City
Hall to honor the former Hawaiʻi governor. The display included a bronze plaque giftedto Fukuoka by the State of Hawaiʻi, photographs, and an informational poster ofGovernor Ariyoshi’s achievements in U.S. and Hawai‘i politics. Members of Governor
Ariyoshi’s family visited Buzen during the fall of 2022.
The City of Yame, ancestral hometown of the late U.S. Senator Daniel K. Inouye,
unveiled a commemorative bronze bust in a community park to honor the former UnitedStates Senator from Hawai‘i. The bust was commissioned by the City of Yame withfinancial support from the State of Hawai‘i. Adjacent to the park is a community center

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2023 HAWAI‘I’S SISTER-STATES REPORT
and a small local museum honoring Senator Inouye. Members of the Inouye family
visited Yame City in the fall of 2022.
Family members of the three gentlemen and representatives from the Hawaiʻi Fukuoka
Kenjin Kai visited their Fukuoka ancestral hometowns for ceremonial unveilings of thememorial plaques. In addition, the Hawai‘i delegation met with mayors of therespective cities, Fukuoka Governor Seitaro Hattori and members of the Fukuoka
Prefectural Assembly.
Okinawa Prefecture (1985)
HUOA may be the only Okinawan kenjinkai that arranges annual visits by HUOA
Presidents and Presidents-Elect with Okinawan government officials, University of the
Ryukyus, and news/media corporations including the Ryukyu Shimpo and Okinawa
Times. Through these face-to-face visits, friendships are formed and the collaborationand education between Hawaiʻi Uchinanchu members and Okinawa friends and relatives
can be perpetuated.
In March 2023, the 33rd Annual Student Exchange in Hawai‘i was completed. HUOA
welcomed 15 Okinawa high school students and coordinated homestay andcultural/educational excursions.
In June 2023, 15 Hawai‘i high school students participated in a two-week homestay andschool immersion program in Okinawa.
During the Hawai‘i-Japan Sister Summit, one of the goals of the summit was to reinvigorate and strengthen Hawai‘i and Japan’s connection that was on pause during the
COVID-19 pandemic. Okinawa Prefecture Governor Denny Tamaki was the keynote
speaker on the first day of the Summit, followed by Mayor Hideo Tobaru from
Kumejima Cho. This preceded the panel on sustainable energy – which the Hawai‘iOkinawa partnership has been working on for over a decade in their commitment toclean and efficient energy development and deployment. In conjunction with theSummit, HUOA hosted an Aloha Party to welcome officials from Okinawa and celebrate
Hawai‘i-Okinawa relations.
In September 2023, 11 HUOA members representing different clubs traveled to
Okinawa to meet with the Governor and Mayors of their respective ancestral clubs. In
addition, invitations were presented for the 125th Anniversary of Okinawan Immigration
celebration in Hawai‘i in 2025.
The 41st Okinawan Festival was held at the Hawai‘i Convention Center in Septemberthat attracted over 50,000 attendees, some from Okinawa, too.

Page 12 December 2023

2023 HAWAI‘I’S SISTER-STATES REPORTIn October 2023, 23 HUOA members participated in the annual HUOA Heritage (Study)
and traveled to Okinawa to learn about their heritage and experienced meetings withgovernment leaders and participated in hands-on activities.
Also in October, a delegation of 16 individuals representing the Okinawa Association of
Corporate Executives traveled to Hawai‘i and met with State officials. The group’s
travel objectives were to study potential overseas business opportunities in advanced
overseas locations in the U.S. The group met with Department of Transportation
officials to discuss issues and countermeasures in Hawai‘i related to traffic congestion.
They were also interested in learning how Hawai‘i met the challenge of labor shortages
as a result of the Covid 19 pandemic.
HUOA established the YUIMAARU Maui fundraiser in Hawai‘i and in Okinawa to assist
the residents of Lahaina impacted by the August 8th wildfires. Current contributions
exceed $200,000.
The HUOA had a busy and productive 2022 in Hawai‘i and Okinawa.
The 40th Okinawan Festival was held in September 2022 at the Hawai‘i Convention
Center. This event attracted over 45,000 community members and visitors back to thelargest in-person ethnic festival in the state since 2019.
In October 2022, Governor David Y. Ige and First Lady Dawn Amano-Ige traveled to
Okinawa at the invitation of the Okinawa Prefectural Government to participate in the
7th Uchinanchu Taikai. Governor Ige had a number of speaking engagements including
addressing members of the Lions Club where over 200 business executives were inattendance. Governor Ige also participated as a leader in the Taikai Parade along with
U.S. Ambassador Rahm Emanuel and approximately 700 participants from Hawai‘i.
Hiroshima Prefecture (1997)
Since the establishment of the Hawai‘i-Hiroshima Sister-State Relationship, theHiroshima Hawai‘i Sister State Committee (HHSSC) has worked together with theHiroshima Prefectural Government on mutually beneficial programs and causes in thespirit of building a partnership of friendship, cooperation, and aloha between the peopleof both regions. It has been the committee’s goal to concentrate their collective efforts
on programs focused on education; business and economic development; culture andthe arts; athletics; and peace initiatives.
In 2023, the HHSSC initiated and participated in the following programs and events incollaboration with Honolulu Hiroshima Kenjin Kai (HHKK):

December 2023Page 13

2023 HAWAI‘I’S SISTER-STATES REPORT-The HHKK selected two students from Hawaiʻi to participate in its International Student
Exchange Program. The students traveled to Hiroshima and engaged in a positive
educational opportunity.
-The 100th Anniversary of the Otafuku Sauce company was held in Honolulu. HHKK andHHSSC assisted Otafuku with a Hawaiian vacation for its employees. Otafuku has
supported Hawaiʻi in many ways including welcoming Hawai‘i officials to visit its factoryin Hiroshima and donating its famous okonomiyaki sauce on many occasions.
-Hiroshima hosted the Hiroshima Junior International Forum in 2023, which was held
after the G7 Summit was held in Hiroshima. 85 high school students from 24 countries
participated in this event. The State of Hawaiʻi was represented by one student.
-Both HHKK and HHSSC hosted the 150th Anniversary of Kamotsuru Sake Brewery’ssales management in Honolulu to promote the sake within the state. Kamotsuru has
been the official sake of the HHKK since 2016. The Hiroshima-based sake brewery also
has supported organizations on Hawaiʻi Island such as the East Hawai‘i Hiroshima
Kenjin Kai and Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
-Hiroshima Prefecture was well represented during the Hawai‘i-Japan Sister Summit by
Governor Hidehiko Yuzaki and members of his delegation. Governor Yuzaki spoke
during a panel discussion with former State Senator Brian Taniguchi and facilitated by
Mr. Paul Yonamine, Chairman Emeritus, Central Pacific Bank.
-A major undertaking by Mr. Wayne Miyao, President of the HHKK and HHSSC, was theestablishment of a Sister-Park relationship between Pearl Harbor and the Hiroshima
Peace Memorial Park. World War II in the Pacific tragically started on December 7,
1941, at Pearl Harbor and ended with the unfortunate bombing of Hiroshima on August
6, 1945. Although Hiroshima and Hawaiʻi are linked by war, the Sister-Park relationshipwill promote peace, goodwill and reconciliation. In April 2023, Mr. Miyao was contacted
by the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo, the U.S. Consulate in Osaka, and the office ofHiroshima’s Mayor. After a lengthy process, an agreement was reached and signed onJune 29, 2023, by U.S. Ambassador Rahm Emanuel and Hiroshima’s Mayor Kazumi
Matsui at the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo.
-Mr. Miyao was invited to participate in the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Service on
August 6, 2023, along with U.S. Ambassador Emanuel and many foreign dignitaries. He
was received warmly by the citizens of Hiroshima, including the hibakusha (survivors of
the Atomic bomb) and participated in a press conference with Mayor Matsui.

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2023 HAWAI‘I’S SISTER-STATES REPORT-In September, Ohana Arts presented Peace on Your Wings in Hiroshima. The
performance included 25 students from Hawai‘i and a total delegation of 50
participants.
-Also in September 2023, the Hawai‘i Department of Education (HDOE) led a delegationof elementary and middle school students and faculty to Hiroshima. The experiences
shared by students confirmed the impact of these international visits for students tolearn about complex global issues that they can hopefully apply to innovative solutions
during their education journey.
-DBEDT led a legislative delegation to Hiroshima in August 2023. Legislative leaders
had the opportunity to meet with Governor Hidehiko Yuzaki. They also met with theowner of the Hiroshima Toyo Carp Baseball team and the president of Hiroshima Mazda
Motor Corporation, owner of a restaurant in Hawai‘i.
Hiroshima Prefecture and citizenry made contributions to the Maui Wildfire relief efforts
totaling in excess of 9,250,000 yen.
2022 was an auspicious year for the Hawai‘i-Hiroshima Sister-State Relationship withthe commemoration of 25 years of establishing this formal relationship between the tworegions. The 25th Anniversary was honored and celebrated in Hiroshima and in Hawai‘iduring 2022.
A delegation of over 60 individuals, led by Governor David Y. Ige and First Lady Dawn
Amano-Ige traveled to Hiroshima to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of the Hawai‘iHiroshima Sister-State Relationship. Working in collaboration with the Hawai‘iHiroshima Sister-State Committee, the Hiroshima Prefectural Government and DBEDT,
the visit included the following activities and events:- Courtesy calls on Hiroshima Governor Hidehiko Yuzaki and Hiroshima Prefectural
Assembly Chair Takashi Nakamoto;- A 25th Anniversary Gala event with entertainment by Hawai‘i’s Jake Shimabukuro andHerb Ohta, Jr. Governor and Mrs. Ige were honored by the Hiroshima Prefectural
Government during this event for their dedication and commitment to the relationshipthrough the years. In addition, the Hawai‘i State Legislature honored Prime Minister
Fumio Kishida, Assembly Member Shin Uda and Kamotsuru Sake Brewery for theircontinued support of the Hawai‘i-Hiroshima relationship with legislative messages foreach honoree;- Visit to the Orizuru Tower that overlooks the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park andMuseum. This visited was hosted by owner Mr. Tetsuya Matsuda;

December 2023Page 15

2023 HAWAI‘I’S SISTER-STATES REPORT- Visit to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Museum where the State of Hawai‘i
placed a wreath at the monument;- Tour of the Mazda Museum and Factory;- Signing of a sister-library agreement between the Hawai‘i State Public Library Systemand the Hiroshima Prefectural Library;- Attendance at a Hiroshima Carp professional baseball game which was billed as“Hawai‘i Night” where Governor Ige threw the first pitch;- Visit to Sera Town where a reaffirmation agreement was signed between the Sera
Town School Board and Niu Valley Middle School;- Visit to the state-of-the art Hiroshima Global Academy which is a prefecturalinternational boarding school where English is the language of instruction;- Visit to Hiroshima Eikei University which established relationships with University of
Hawai‘i campuses.
Also in 2022, Governor Ige welcomed Governor Hidehiko Yuzaki and a delegation of 27
officials to Hawai‘i. The delegation attended many events on O‘ahu and on Hawai‘iIsland.
During their stay, the delegation was represented at the following activities and events:- Visit to Pearl Harbor National Memorial where Governor Yuzaki and Assembly
Chairperson Takashi Nakamoto presented wreaths to honor the memory of those wholost their lives during the Pearl Harbor attack;- Meetings with Governor Ige and Hawai‘i State Legislators;- Governor Yuzaki and delegation made a stop at the Hiroshima Torii Gate where a brief
program and ceremony was arranged by the Honolulu Japanese Chamber ofCommerce;- Visit to the University of Hawai‘i where Eikei University and the University of Hawai‘i at
Manoa entered into an exchange agreement;- Visit and tour of the Hawai‘i State Library as a follow-up to the signing of the sisterlibrary agreement that was held in Hiroshima;- Attended a special reception at Washington Place hosted by the State of Hawai‘iwhere members of the Hiroshima community also attended and met with the visiting
officials from Hiroshima;- Held various activities on Hawaiʻi Island that included special events with theHiroshima Kenjin Kai in Hilo and Kona and visit to the Puna Geothermal Venture
among other site visits.
Ehime Prefecture (2003)
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Ehime Prefecture was represented by its Vice Governor during the Hawai‘i-Japan Sister
Summit in July 2023.
In September, the Ehime Prefecture International Center’s (EPIC) Ehime-Hawai‘i HighSchool Exchange program was held in Hawai‘i. The annual educational program
included a visit to the Ehime Maru Memorial at the Kaka‘ako Waterfront Park.
In October 2023, the Executive Committee of the Ehime-Hawai‘i Goodwill YouthBaseball, led by Ehime Prefectural Assembly Member, Junnosuke Kaino, signed an
International Program Agreement with Dr. Ken Ito, of the Asia Pacific Exchange andDevelopment (APED), to reestablish the Ehime-Hawai‘i Goodwill Baseball Exchange,
which was suspended due to the global pandemic. This memorandum of understanding
was signed at the Consulate General of Japan in Honolulu. The youth baseball
tournament that started in 2002 will continue again from 2024.
Also during the October 2023 visit, the Executive Committee of the Ehime-Hawai‘i
Goodwill Youth Baseball met with Misaki Takabayashi, Chancellor of Kapiolani
Community College (KCC) to establish potential educational exchanges between
Matsuyama University and KCC. Earlier in the day, the group paid respects at the gravesite of Dr. Seiji Naya, former DBEDT Director, who was instrumental in creating theexchanges with Ehime Prefecture through youth baseball.
In February 2022, a traditional memorial service for the Ehime Maru was held by theJapan-America Society of Hawai‘i at the Kakaako Waterfront Park. Consul General
Yutaka Aoki, Governor David Y. Ige and Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi laid wreaths
during the ceremony.
In August 2022, Governor and Mrs. Ige made an official visit to Ehime Prefecture which
was the first visit by a Hawai‘i Governor. During this visit, they met with Governor
Tokihiro Nakamura and Ehime Prefectural Assembly Speaker, Hiroshi Watanabe. In
addition, Governor and Mrs. Ige traveled to Uwajima City and met with Uwajima’s
Mayor Fumiaki Okahara and presented a floral bouquet at the Ehime Maru Memorial at
the Uwajima Fisheries High School. It was also an opportunity for the Governor andFirst Lady to meet with bereaved family members of the Ehime Maru.
From September 30 – October 4, 2022, eight students representing high schools in
Ehime traveled to Hawai‘i to participate in a cultural exchange hosted by the Ehime

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Prefectural International Center (EPIC). EPIC has organized this exchange programthat annually sends students from Ehime to Hawai‘i. Students visited various sites onO‘ahu such as the Ehime Maru Memorial, University of Hawai‘i and Honolulu Hale. They
also participated in a two-day home visit with students from Punahou and St. Louis
Schools. They also visited Punahou School to experience school life in Hawai‘i andmade presentations about their hometowns, culture and school activities. They also
had an exchange meeting with the Moanalua High School Japanese Club members.
Hokkaido Prefecture (2017)
In January 2023, Hokkaido Prefecture sent a delegation of 40 people to Hawai‘i that
included government officials, students and representatives of the Ainu people. DBEDT
welcomed the delegation with a reception at Washington Place. Representatives of the
Hokkaido Club in Hawai‘i and other community leaders were represented.
During the January 2023 visit, five Hokkaido school students participated in a student
exchange program. In March, Obihiro Hakuyo High School and Kalani High School
signed a sister-school agreement. This was followed by Kalani High School visiting
Obihiro Hakuyo High School in the summer of 2023. During the month of October,Anuenue School traveled to Hokkaido. Hokkaido has had great interest in learning how
the Hawaiian Immersion School developed its curriculum. Also in October, Kokusai
Joho High School visited Kaiser High School. All of the above educational exchanges
were planned and organized, in partnership, between the Hawai‘i Department of
Education and the Hokkaido Board of Education.
Hokkaido Prefecture was well represented during the Hawai‘i-Japan Sister-Summit in
July 2023. The prefecture’s exhibit was one of the most popular during the Summit.
Hokkaido’s support of the Maui Wildfire relief efforts included total contributions of
3,439,552 yen of which 1,000,000 yen was donated by the Hokkaido Government and1,000,000 yen was donated by the Hokkaido Legislative Assembly. The remaining
1,439,552 yen was collected from among the employees of the Hokkaido Government.
During 2023, the Hokkaido Hawai‘i Club traveled to Hokkaido on a number of occasions,promoted Hokkaido Genghis Khan cuisine hosted by the Hokkaido People’s Association,
promoted Hokkaido ramen at a festival in Honolulu, and hosted a luncheon meeting
welcoming the Hokkaido Prefectural delegation to Hawai‘i during Hawai‘i Sister-Summit.

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2022 marked the 5th Anniversary of the Hawai‘i-Hokkaido Sister-State Relationship. To
honor this milestone anniversary, Governor David Y. Ige, representatives of the Hawai‘iState Legislature and Hokkaido Club Hawai‘i traveled to Hokkaido.
During the visit, in addition to the customary courtesy visits with Governor Naomichi
Suzuki and Assembly Members in Hokkaido, the Hokkaido Prefectural Government
hosted an anniversary reception in honor of Governor Ige and the Hawai‘i delegation.
Attendees were also treated to a live performance by the Ainu who are indigenous
citizens of Hokkaido.
International educational exchanges are important to the Hokkaido Prefectural
Government similar to Hawai‘i’s interest in fostering and nurturing student exchanges
between Hawai‘i and Hokkaido. In this regard, the prefecture hosted an educationalroundtable with Governor Ige and other Hawai‘i representatives as well as theSuperintendent of the Hokkaido Board of Education and representatives of universities
and high schools. The dialogue encouraged increasing educational exchanges between
Hawai‘i and Hokkaido beginning in 2023.
The Hawai‘i delegation also had an opportunity to visit the Kokusai Johou High School
to better understand a typical school day for students. The students also treated the
Hawai‘i visitors with a performance that demonstrated their command of the English
language.
Yamaguchi Prefecture (2022)
In January 2023, Vice Governor Hiraya led a delegation of 20 officials and 160 students
to Hawaiʻi. During this visit, the Hawai‘i State Legislature and the Yamaguchi
Prefectural Assembly signed a legislative friendship agreement. Also, during this visit,
the signing of a sister agreement between the Hawai‘i Department of Education and the
Yamaguchi Prefectural Board of Education was held at the Ohana Waikiki East Outrigger
Hotel. The Honolulu Yamaguchi Kenjin Kai also hosted the visiting delegation from
Yamaguchi Prefecture to an Aloha Reception that included club members from
Honolulu.
Vice Governor Hiraya and members of his delegation also made a courtesy call on
Governor Josh Green. In recognition of this visit and the sister-state agreement, DBEDT
hosted a reception at Washington Place.

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2023 HAWAI‘I’S SISTER-STATES REPORTIn July 2023, Governor Tsugumasa Muraoka and Prefectural Assembly Chairperson
Yanai participated in the Hawai‘i-Japan Sister Summit. Coinciding with this event, the
6th Overseas Yamaguchi Kenjin Kai World Grand Meeting was co-hosted by the
Yamaguchi Prefectural Government and the Honolulu Yamaguchi Kenjin Kai andattended by representatives of Yamaguchi, Brazil, Shanghai, Los Angeles, Kaua‘i, Konaand Honolulu. The World Grand meeting also included exchanges between youth from
Brazil, Los Angeles, Kaua‘i and Honolulu Kenjin Kai Clubs.
On October 16, 2023, Mr. Kiyotaka Fujimoto, Mayor of Suo-Oshima Town of Yamaguchi
Prefecture visited the Consulate General of Japan in Honolulu. In 1885, many residents
from the town immigrated to Hawai‘i when the system of Kanyaku-Imin, or contract
laborer immigrants, first began. This year marked the 60th anniversary of the town's
sisterhood with the County of Kaua‘i. Consul General Yoshinori Kodama shared that he
was impressed by the longstanding friendly relationship between Suo-Oshima Town and
Hawai‘i and expressed his hope for further expansion of exchanges.
Yamaguchi Prefecture has a four-year project funded by Japan's Ministry of Defense tosupport (1) increasing their students’ English proficiency, (2) doing it with Hawai‘ischools (3) having students develop projects that are both local and global in scope,and (4) improving relations between the residents on the U.S. Marine Corps Air Base in
Iwakuni and the surrounding community.
Yamaguchi Prefectural Assembly Chairperson Yanai visited Governor Josh Green andpledged 1,000,000 yen to the Maui Wildfire relief efforts. In addition, Yamaguchi
Prefecture, its citizens, and organizations contributed in excess of 6,000,000 yen.
The State of Hawai‘i and the Prefecture of Yamaguchi officially entered into a SisterState Relationship in 2022. The signing event was held in Suo-Oshima and witnessedby over 30 representatives from Hawai‘i with Governor David Y. Ige and First Lady
Dawn Amano-Ige leading the delegation.
The Honolulu Yamaguchi Kenjin Kai and Kaua‘i Yamaguchi Kenjin Kai were represented
during this auspicious occasion. Members of the Hawai‘i State Legislature also
participated in the visit and State Representative Dee Morikawa spoke on behalf of the
Hawaiʻi State Legislature and the island of Kaua‘i. Kaua‘i and Suo-Oshima have enjoyeda sister-island relationship since 1963.
Official calls on Governor Tsugumasa Muraoka and Suo-Oshima Mayor Kiyotaka
Fujimoto by Governor Ige and the Hawai‘i delegation were captured by the Japan

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media. Both sides look forward to strengthening cooperation in various areas including
cultural and educational exchanges.
In 1885, the government of Hawai‘i worked with the Japanese government toimplement an immigration policy known as “Kanyaku Immin” where approximately
10,000 immigrants traveled to Hawaiʻi from Yamaguchi Prefecture. There is muchhistorical interest in this relationship including the information that can be found in theMuseum of Japanese Emigration to Hawaiʻi that is located in Suo-Oshima.
KOREA
Jeju Province (1986)
In October 2023, Hawai‘i was represented during the Jeju International Youth Forum
where 200 participants, including 31 city and 13 country representatives, convened in
Jeju. The Hawai‘i Department of Education sent four high school teams to participate inthis international event.
2022 marked the 35th anniversary of Hawai‘i’s sister-state relationship with Jeju. Due tothe Covid 19 pandemic, a virtual conference was held in celebration of this milestone.
“Carbon Neutralization for the Next Generation: Local Cooperation to Achieve Carbon
Net-Zero and Climate Action” was the theme of the conference which included speakers
from Hawaiʻi and Jeju. Lieutenant Governor Josh Green and Jeju Lieutenant Governor
Manseop Koo gave opening remarks. Maria Tome, Energy Efficiency and Renewable
Energy Program Manager from the Hawai‘i State Energy Office was a featured speakergiving an update on the State’s renewable energy efforts. The conference also included
a panel of student speakers to talk about their vision for the future. Hawai‘i wasrepresented by Stacie Bae, a Kalani High School senior.
MOROCCOGreater Region of Rabat-Sale-Zemmour-Zaer (2011)
No activities reported in 2022-2023.
PHILIPPINES
In collaboration with the Filipino Chamber of Commerce of Hawai‘i, DBEDT is cosponsoring the Hawai‘i-Philippines Sister States & Provinces Business Symposium on

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2023 HAWAI‘I’S SISTER-STATES REPORTMarch 13, 2024. Due to the uncertainties of the pandemic, the event that was initiallyscheduled for 2021 was delayed until 2024 and is expected to attract attendees from
Hawaiʻi’s sister-provinces in the Philippines.
Ilocos Sur Province (1985)
No activities reported for 2022-2023.
Cebu Province, Philippines (1996)
No activities reported for 2022-2023.
Pangasinan Province (2002)
No activities reported for 2022-2023.
Ilocos Norte Province (2005)
No activities reported for 2022-2023.
Isabela Province (2006)
No activities reported for 2022-2023.
PORTUGAL
Azores Islands (1982)
No activities reported for 2022-2023.
Madeira (202X approved, but not signed yet)
The Hawai‘i Sister-State Committee was tasked by the Hawai‘i legislature to consider asister-state relationship with Madeira, Portugal. The Hawai‘i Sister-State Committee
met on November 16, 2021 to consider the application for Madeira, Portugal and
Hawaiʻi to form a sister-state relationship. This was a very strong application with many
people and organizations in Hawai‘i and Madeira offering supporting testimony inwritten form and by videoconference. The Sister-State Committee made a unanimousrecommendation to accept the application. DBEDT staff informed the Hawai‘ilegislature of the Committee’s decision. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic an official

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signing ceremony has not been scheduled yet although discussions have begun with theConsulate General of Portugal in San Francisco, which covers Hawai‘i.

December 2023Page 23