Hawai‘i-Japan Sister State and Sister City Summit, May 20-21, 2026
The Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism (DBEDT) in collaboration with the Japan-America Society of Hawai‘i (JASH), is pleased to convene the second Hawai‘i-Japan Sister State and Sister City Summit from May 20-21, 2026, “Creating our Future” at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Resort.
In 2026, Hawai’i and Japan come together once again for a landmark gathering of leaders, innovators, and changemakers at the 2026 Hawai’i-Japan Sister State and Sister City Summit. Building on the extraordinary success of the inaugural 2023 Summit-the largest Hawai’i-Japan international convening in more than two decades-this next chapter promises even greater impact.
From governors and mayors to business, nonprofit, and community leaders, the Sister Summit is where we will sustain, deepen, and expand ties and shape the future together.
This year’s theme “Creating our Future” will include the following topics of discussion:
- One Health for All: Health, Sustainability, and Shared Learning
- Hawai’i-Japan Economic Impact and Relationship
- Sports Diplomacy: Building Relationships and Goodwill
- Disaster Preparedness & Resiliency: Lessons from Island Communities
- Free & Open Inda-Pacific: Strategic Roles for Hawai’i and Japan
- The Business of Pop Culture: Anime, Gaming, and e-Sports
DBEDT and JASH invite you to join more than 400 leaders from Hawai’i and Japan as we work toward “Creating Our Future” – by charting a bold course forward together.
Register Now: Sister Summit
