The State of Hawaiʻi Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT) in partnership with the Japan-America Society of Hawaiʻi (JASH), is convening the first Hawaiʻi-Japan Sister State and Sister City Summit on July 27 and 28, 2023, at the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi. Governor Josh Green, M.D. and Hawaiʻi’s mayors will welcome governors and mayors of the six prefectures and sixteen cities and towns from Japan with sister relationships.
“Hawaiʻi and Japan have a long narrative of cultural, social, economic, and historical ties,” said Governor Green. “Our shared experiences have made us not only the closest of friends but partners in many respects. This summit brings us together to celebrate our relationships, while focusing more on what we can do together in the future.”
“The summit will invigorate the sister relationships between Hawaiʻi and Japan. Sister relationships can and should play a significant and strategic role in maximizing economic, cultural, and educational opportunities,” said DBEDT Director James Kunane Tokioka.
Corporate sponsors as well as general attendees from the public are welcome to register to be part of this momentous event.
With the theme “The Ties that Bind,” the summit seeks to refresh and strengthen ties that were paused by the COVID-19 pandemic. It provides a venue for Hawaiʻi and Japan to explore common issues which will serve as starting points for future exchanges. Leaders from Hawaiʻi and Japan in the fields of sustainable energy, business and economic development, sustainable tourism, and education, will discuss the latest developments and possibilities for future collaboration. The summit will also feature a marketplace with up to 35 booths displaying products, services and cultural highlights from both Japan and Hawaiʻi.
Senior government officials and key business, cultural, educational, and civic leaders from Hawaiʻi and Japan are encouraged to attend. Delegates will connect, strengthen relationships, and create new initiatives to boost trade, direct investment, collaboration, and goodwill between Hawaiʻi and Japan.
For more information, please visit the summit website at: https://www.jashawaii.org/summit
About the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT)
DBEDT is Hawaiʻi’s resource center for economic and statistical data, business development opportunities, energy and conservation information, as well as foreign trade advantages. DBEDT’s mission is to achieve a Hawaiʻi economy that embraces innovation and is globally competitive, dynamic and productive, providing opportunities for all Hawaiʻi’s citizens. Through its attached agencies, the department fosters planned community development, creates affordable workforce housing units in high-quality living environments and promotes innovation-sector job growth.
About the Business Development and Support Division (BDSD)
The Business Development and Support Division of DBEDT promotes industry development and economic diversification by supporting existing and emerging industries in Hawaiʻi and by attracting new investment and businesses to the state. Learn more at: https://invest.hawaii.gov/.
About the Japan America Society of Hawaiʻi (JASH)
JASH is one of Hawaiʻi’s oldest and most established organizations which fosters economic, educational and cultural activities between Hawaiʻi and Japan. JASH is a member of the National Association of Japan-America Societies, consisting of 38 independent Japan-America societies located around the United States and Canada. JASH is uniquely positioned to serve as the statewide convener to coordinate activities for Japan-Hawaiʻi economic reopening, recovery and resiliency planning activities.
# # #
Media Contacts:
Laci Goshi
Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism
(808) 587-9006
lacianne.a.goshi@hawaii.gov
Dennis Ling
Business Development & Support Division Administrator
Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism
dennis.t.ling@hawaii.gov
Reyna Kaneko
President
Japan-America Society of Hawaiʻi
(808) 524-4450
rkaneko@jashawaii.org
Sheri Kajiwara
Summit Coordinator
(808) 265-1051
sherikajiwara@msn.com
