The 2023 Hawaiʻi-Japan Sister State Summit

The Hawaiʻi-Japan Sister State & Sister City Summit, a significant event that took place on July 27 and 28, 2023, brought together representatives from Hawaiʻi and Japan to strengthen their longstanding ties. The summit was convened by the State of Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT), and the Japan-America Society of Hawaiʻi (JASH) in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi, under the theme of “The Ties that Bind”. Read more about the summit here.

The Ties that Bind

The relationship between Hawaiʻi and Japan is a special one, rooted in a shared history that began over 150 years ago with the arrival of Japanese immigrants to Hawaiʻi. This deep, longstanding friendship has been nurtured through the years, with sister and friendship relationships being established on various grounds, including culture, nature, sports, and educational exchanges.

The Summit’s Significance

With the resumption of in-person exchanges, the significance of face-to-face interactions was reconfirmed at the Sister Summit. Participants discussed how to further develop existing relationships and encourage new exchanges, affirming their commitment to work together towards this goal.

Key Discussions

The summit included discussions on four common issues faced by the respective regions and explored possibilities for further cooperation:

1. Sustainable Energy: The discussion centered around renewable energy technologies, ideas for funding new and ongoing projects, and avenues for collaboration between sister and friendship governments.
2. Education: The value and importance of global learning and education exchange to leadership development, as well as its contribution to Japan and Hawaiʻi relationships, were explored.
3. Sustainable Tourism: The session explored how Japan and Hawaiʻi seek to balance the economic and social impacts of the visitor industry through sustainability practices.
4. Business & Economy: Opportunities in cross-border commerce across various industries, including building a sustainable and profitable agricultural business, were the topics of discussion.

The Sister Summit was a testament to the strong bonds between Hawaiʻi and Japan. As the participants discussed their respective exchange programs and reaffirmed their commitment to further cooperation, it became clear that the summit was a significant step towards strengthening their relationships and increasing exchanges. The future of the Hawaiʻi-Japan relationship looks promising, with the commitment to work together towards shared goals.