HONOLULU, Hawai‘i - Delegates of the prefectural governments and business leaders from Hokkaido and Hiroshima visited members of the state legislature to further affirm the sister-state relationships that have been built and nurtured over the years.
The sister partnerships have had a positive impact on Hawai‘i’s economy by promoting tourism and commerce. Establishing a legislative partnership is a new initiative between Hawai‘i lawmakers and the Governors and Vice-Governors of the visiting prefectures, which share many of the same concerns on regional issues including the environment and energy. Delegates from the prefectures said they expect to establish a foundation for wider exchanges in the future between the two states in business, culture, education and tourism.
Delegates from Japan were in Hawai‘i to attend the first-ever Japan-Hawai‘i Economic Summit in Kona held May 9-11, hosted by the Hawai‘i Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism and the U.S.-Japan Council (USJC), a Washington D.C.-based nonprofit educational organization. The attendees, which included several state Senators, allowed for robust discussions on shared issues and opportunities within the areas of business, tourism, education, and energy, and forge connections for future collaboration and trade.
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