THE JAPAN TIMES FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2016 5

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Hawaii is first port of call for Japanese investment in the U.S. Sharing life’s energy: Hawaii continues toattract Japanese visitors“In addition to Japanese real estateand property investments, in recentyears we have also seen Japanese foodrelated organizations — from retail torestaurants — using Hawaii as a base forresearch before foraying into the U.S.
mainland,” said Wayne T. Ishihara, president of the Honolulu Japanese Chamberof Commerce. “Hawaii is in the middleof the sea between the U.S. mainland
and Japan, so this scenario makes perfect sense.”
In 2015, exports to Japan from Ha-Wayne T. Ishihara, President of theHonolulu Japanese Chamber ofCommerce“I would like to reiterate the importance of understanding our countries’
pasts so we can create a better tomorrow,” said Misawa. “Today we are innovating and working together in renewable energy, high-tech and solar projects,
and I hope our partnership remains
strong. The people of Hawaii have anaffinity with Japan. Through our sistercity initiatives and student exchange
programs, we will bequeath this strong
relationship to future generations.” Helping Japanese investors feel at home in Hawaii

Hawaiian luxury realestate developments
attract investor interestEstablished in 1967, the Honolulu-based
firm Yamaguchi & Yamaguchi provides
professional real estate advice to investors
from Asian and Pacific Rim countries. Its President, Jon Yamaguchi, is a member of the Counselors of Real Estate — headquartered in Chicago. He was recently appointed as Pacific RimAmbassador and Chief Delegate to the Pan-Pacific Congress of Appraisers, Valuers and Counselors Conference, which will be held in Kyoto
from Sept. 26 to 29. Yamaguchi met with WER:
Why invest in Hawaii?
Historical data indicates that real estate in Hawaii is still a good investment. Its location in the
middle of the Pacific Ocean on a separate tectonic plate minimizes the risk of earthquakes,and northeasterly trade winds ensure a consistent year-round temperature of between 24 and
29 degrees Celsius.
Known as the “Melting Pot of the Pacific,”
Hawaii is ethnically diverse. It attracts leisurevisitors, as well as new businesses that appreciate its time zone, which is conducive to business communication between North Americaand Asia.
What commercial developments are currently
taking place in Honolulu?
Numerous luxury condominium projects havebeen developed in Honolulu. However, in orderto create value, sustainability and growth, luxury
projects also need to provide exclusivity, superior location, safety, exceptional design and quality, good views, concierge service, recreational
facilities, nearby shopping, restaurants and support services.
Which notable projects are gaining attentionin Honolulu?
The Howard Hughes Ward Villages mixed-use
project is currently in development on 25 hectares of prime land and the Kobayashi Group’s
Park Lane Project near the Ala Moana Shopping
Center are attracting substantial interest. These
luxury projects are conveniently situated between Waikiki Beach and downtown Honolulu
and will strengthen both companies’ reputations
as long-term real estate developers. 
www.yamaguchiinc.com— ERIC TAKAHATAManaging Director
Hawaii Tourism Japanists, Japanese visitors contributed
over $2 billion to the state last year.
“When they visit, they experience Hawaii with each of their five senses,”
Takahata explained. “Whether it’s aluau show that offers a full dining andentertainment experience, a road trip
to the North Shore or snorkeling in
Hanuama Bay, Hawaii is well-placed
to cater to Japanese guests.”
Hawaii Tourism Japan is a sponsorof The Honolulu Biennial — a multisite visual arts festival and citywidecelebration to be held next year fromMarch 8 to May 8. Engaging with therich cultural diversity of Hawaii, local
and international talents will be exhibited with 30-35 different participating

artists working across all mediums.
“Our message is that Hawaii truly
loves Japan and the ‘Aloha’ spirit isalways open to Japanese visitors,”
Takahata concluded. 

www.gohawaii.jp

Natural Hawaiian artesian water —straight from the source

Sal Miwa, Co-CEO and President of Aska Estate Hawaii Inc./Myland Hawaii Realty
who have extensive experience inproperty management and maintenance. “We take care of our clients’cars and boats, as well as home related issues such as utilities, plumbing and electrics,” said Miwa.
Myland’s partnerships with major Japanese financial and real estate companies have enabled thecompany to position itself as thefirst point of contact in Hawaii forinvestors from Japan as they begin
their property searches.
“We are one of the largest realtors specialized in dealing withJapanese clients in Hawaii and arededicated to serving our Japaneseinvestors,” said Miwa. “Our local connections in Hawaii and ourcorporate network in Japan have allowed us to become a leader in theindustry.”
Miwa, who is also the chairman of the Japan-America Societyof Hawaii, concluded: “Honolulu
is one of the most stable property
markets in the world. It will continue to attract Japanese investors
who want to experience ‘paradise’on one of the most beautiful islandsin the world.” www.mylandhawaii.com

urrounded by 26 million sq. kilometers of ocean, Hawaii is themost isolated landmass on earth.
And yet, the islands’ topography — andunique ecosystem, resulting in an abundance of rainfall — create the perfectenvironment for natural artesian water.
“Hawaiian Springs” water is drawn
from deep earth aquifers, filtered through4,000 meters of ancient lava rock, ladenwith minerals and electrolytes. Producing water as soft and sweet as the “Ōhiʻalehua” blossom — the legendary sourceof Hawaiian rainfall on volcanic mountains, and depicted on every Hawaiian
Springs bottle.
“Hawaiian Springs water is the only
natural artesian water in the State of Hawaii,” said Al Kam, president of Hawaiian Springs. “At the International Water Expo held in Guangzhou in China,
earlier this year, Hawaiian Springs wasawarded the Gold Award from the Fine
Water Society for ‘Best Tasting Water.’”
It has a natural alkaline level of pH
7.7 — the ideal balance for the humanbody. Sourced from underground, anduntouched by any surface contamination,
the water is free of heavy metals, chemicals and excessive mineral content.
These days, Hawaiian Springs likes
to highlight its premium position in theJapanese market by sharing its uniqueand natural source of water with Japa-Ka Wai Ola (The water of life) is drawn from deep earth aquifers, filteredthrough 4,000 meters of ancient lava rock, laden with minerals andelectrolytes producing water as soft and sweet as the “Ōhi'a lehua” blossom.
nese consumers.
“We sell only two things: the authenticity of our product and the opportunity
to enjoy an affinity with Hawaii,” said
Kam. “The people of Japan have a passion for Hawaii and Hawaiian Springs
hopes to earn a place in their hearts.”
The company has its own local subsidiary in Japan, and a partnership with theleading logistics provider, UPS Yamato
Express and a 5,200 sq. meter warehousein Tokyo. Hawaiian Springs is the official water of the Hawaiian Tourism Au-thority in Japan and Major League Baseball’s Los Angeles Dodgers. Its current
water reserves are enough to supply theentire demand of the global bottled waterindustry two times over.
Looking ahead, Kam concluded,“Beyond the Japanese market, Hawaiian Springs aims to revitalize Hawaiian
manufacturing and export a uniquely
Hawaiian product to markets around theworld.” 
www.hawaiianspringswater.com
www.hawaiianspringswater.jp

The place to be in Hawaii epitomizes Hawaiian dreamL

ocated between downtown Honolulu and Ala Moana — near
Waikiki Beach and the Pacific
Ocean — Ward Village, a developmentof The Howard Hughes Corporation, istoday’s preeminent destination in Hawaii. Offering an unrivaled location,
first-class amenities and a variety ofworld-renowned and local retailers (including Nobu, the world’s most-famous
Japanese restaurant group), Ward Village is the place to be in Hawaii.
“Ward Village is an opportunity for
us to create a unique place that isn’t
being duplicated anywhere else in Hawaii,” said Bill Pisetsky, The Howard
Hughes Corporation’s senior vice president for residential sales and marketingin Hawaii. “Our iconic 60-acre community overlooking the Pacific Ocean
is designed to enrich the lives of those
who will live and work in Ward Village.”
Designed by award-winning architects, the five towers — Ke Kilohana,Gateway, Waiea, Aeo and Anaha — invarious stages of development eachhave a distinct design symbolizing thebeauty of Hawaii.
“Waiea” (meaning “water of life” inHawaiian) has a unique glass facadeand will be the first to be completed.

WARD VILLAGE

Jon F. Yamaguchi, President and CEO of Yamaguchi& Yamaguchi

The main reason
Japanese visitors
are so in love withHawaii is that bothcultures have somany similarities.”

SWER

YAMAGUCHI & YAMAGUCHI

H

awaii’s culture, climate
and centuries-old Japanese
influences have created atruly aspirational destination forJapanese property investors.
Real estate investments — especially second homes — call for fullservice agents and property managers who understand the importanceof establishing a trust-based relationship with Japanese investors.
In Hawaii, Myland Hawaii Realtyunderstands this better than most.
Owned by Aska Group, Myland
Hawaii Realty has been providing
Japanese investors with superior
real estate and property management services for almost a decade.
As a Japanese firm, the company
understands its clients from Japan,
and is able to offer exceptional
knowledge of the local real estatemarket.
“We are proud that the majorityof our customers are Japanese investors,” said Sal Miwa, co-CEO
and president of Aska Estate Hawaii Inc./Myland Hawaii Realty.
“Japanese investors are continuing to look at opportunities in Hawaii, and we are firmly committed
to providing our Japanese clientswith the best real estate solutions,”
he said.
The company provides 24-hourservices to owners and tenants
through highly trained managers

There are countless holiday destinations around the world offering sun, sea and sand. While
Hawaii has an abundance of all threespread over 2,400 km, the islands offer so much more to the 1.5 million
Japanese tourists who visit the chainof Pacific islands every year.
“The main reason Japanese visitors
are so in love with Hawaii is that bothcultures have so many similarities,”said Eric Takahata, managing directorof Hawaii Tourism Japan. “Hawaiian culture is very similar to Japan’sand has been woven into our common
DNA over the last century.”
Japanese visitors love Hawaii formore than just its iconic offerings ofsunshine, shopping, Waikiki Beach,wildlife excursions, volcanoes on theBig Island, surfing, shrimp trucks andMaui. Many visitors cite the islands’“Aloha” spirit (the joyful “oha” sharing “alo” of life energy “ha” in thepresent “alo”) as the one factor thatkeeps them coming back to feel thewelcoming vibes in the United States’
50th state.
“In Hawaii we promote our uniqueness,” said Takahata. “The ‘Aloha’
spirit of the Hawaiian people separates us from other similarly brandedvacation destinations. Beaches can befound around the world: our draw is
our people. Japanese tourists are ourlargest international market and 60
percent are repeat visitors who have
traveled here three or more times.”
Recognized as sophisticated tour-HAWAII TOURISM JAPAN

has also become Hawaii’s most important international tourist demographic. It is important to recognize howstrong the two countries’ relationshipis today, especially as 2016 marks the75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl
Harbor.

HAWAIIAN SPRINGS

Yasushi Misawa, Consul General ofJapan in Hawaii

waii accounted for 4.2 percent of total
U.S. exports, while imports from Japanaccounted for 5.8 percent of total U.S.
imports. In addition, Japan remains oneof Hawaii’s major export partners, withJapanese investments and affiliates accounting for fully 48 percent of the26,200 jobs created by foreign-owned
affiliates.
“Japan is the fourth-largest market forthe U.S. as far as exports are concerned,
but it is ranked number one for Hawaii,”
said John Holman, director for the Pacific at the U.S. Department of Commerce.
The Japan-American Society of Hawaii (JASH), which celebrates its 40th
anniversary this year and has over 1,200
members, promotes understanding andfriendship between the people of Japanand the U.S.
“Our mission is to ensure a future
friendly relationship between the U.S.
and Japan by educating children fromkindergarten through to Ph.D. studies
when they are adults,” said Sal Miwa,
chairman of JASH.
With 50 programs a year, including student exchanges and leadershipprograms, the Washington-based U.S.Japan Council is dedicated to strengthening ties between the two countries.
Hawaii is the largest region for the council, denoting the importance of Hawaii
in the context of U.S.-Japan discussions.
Its chairman is Hawaii-based Dennis
Teranishi, an “Order of Culture” (bunkakunsho) awardee and the president andCEO of the Pacific International Centerfor High Technology Research.
While Japanese businesspeople continue to invest in Hawaiian real estateand establish small businesses, JapanHONOLULU JAPANESE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

ropolitan areas in national economic
rankings, and is the fourth-busiest international port of entry into the U.S.
Meanwhile, Hawaii ranks as one of the
10 most entrepreneurial states in thecountry, with a per capita income 2.5
percent higher than the national average.

WER

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his year marks 65 years since thesigning of the San Francisco Peace
Treaty (Treaty of Peace with Japan) which re-established diplomatic
relations between Japan and the U.S. after World War II. Today, the U.S.-Japan
relationship is based on mutual respect,
democratic principles and trade.
America’s 50th state, Hawaii, is located in the Pacific Ocean between Japanand the U.S. — a symbolic link between
both countries. The state has enjoyedstrong links with Japan since the late1800’s, when it was known as the Kingdom of Hawaii.
In 1885, the first official immigrants
from Japan (the “Issei”) arrived in Hawaii to work as contract plantationlaborers. Descended from these firstgeneration immigrants, today’s fourthand fifth-generation ethnic Japanese areproud Hawaiians as well. Many holdleading positions in Hawaii’s public andprivate sectors.
“Ethnic Japanese make up 14 percentof the population, and they continue toplay an important role in Hawaiian society,” said Yasushi Misawa, Consul General of Japan in Hawaii.
Notable Japanese-Americans include
the current governor of the Hawaii, David Ige, as well as the late U.S. Senator
Daniel Inouye. Inouye served with the442nd Infantry Regiment in WWII, andwas the highest-ranking Asian-American politician in U.S. history.
Integration and partnership have enabled trade to flourish between Hawaii
and Japan, and the state today is a desirable location for Japanese investors.
Hawaii’s capital, Honolulu, is ranked
10th among the 102 largest U.S. met-Waiea — with its sweeping, unparalleled glass facade and spacious vieworiented interiors, this 36-floor tower represents a level of architectural
sophistication never before available in Hawaii.
“The design of this distinctive building
represents the curvature of a wave, andeach panel is designed to be unique,”said Pisetsky. “Waiea residents will bemoving in this November, and this will
mark a huge milestone for us and forHawaii.”
The second quarter of 2017 will see
new homeowners move in to “Anaha”(“reflection of light”). The building’s
design evokes the light reflecting off
the Pacific Ocean waves.

“We have already sold over 1,100
homes, and our record-setting sales
numbers are testament to the quality,
lifestyle and value of Ward Village,”said Pisetsky.
A significant number of homes havebeen sold to Japanese buyers, who continue their love affair with Hawaii. “Japan is our largest foreign market,” saidPisetsky. “We are so appreciative of theinterest Japanese buyers have shown
to Ward Village. We have worked hardto provide superior quality and highly
desired amenities in our homes. We
will continue to provide the excellent
service and experience that is expectedby those who choose to make Ward Village a part of their lives.”
Ward Village’s office in Tokyo iscommitted to working closely withpotential homebuyers and sharing theHawaiian dream.
“Whether for a vacation home or afull-time residence, we understand theimportance of fulfilling our homebuyer’s dreams,” said Pisetsky. “We deliver the highest level of quality service:from our first conversation to movingin day and beyond, we take care of ourhomebuyers and provide a truly greatexperience.” www.wardvillage.com

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S C H E D U L E A P R I VAT E T O U R
WardVillage.com/JapanTimes or +1.855.814.7832
WARNING: THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF REAL ESTATE HAS NOT INSPECTED,EXAMINED OR QUALIFIED THIS OFFERING.

This is not intended to be an offer to sell nor a solicitation of offers to buy real estate in the Ward Village development to residents of Connecticut,Idaho, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania or South Carolina, or to residents of any other jurisdiction where prohibited bylaw. No offering can be made to residents of New York until an offering plan is filed with the Department of Law of the State of New York. WardVillage is a proposed planned master development in Honolulu, Hawaii that does not yet exist. Exclusive Project Broker Ward Village Properties,LLC. Copyright 2015. Equal Housing Opportunity.