Hawaiʻi and Japan Move Forward Together at the 2026 Sister Summit
The 2026 Hawaiʻi–Japan Sister State and Sister City Summit brought together leaders, partners, and community members from Hawaiʻi and Japan for a meaningful celebration of friendship, collaboration, and shared purpose.
Held May 20–21, 2026, in Honolulu, with a Government Policy Forum on May 22, the Summit convened nearly 400 leaders under the theme, “Creating Our Future.” Building on the success of the inaugural 2023 Summit, this year’s gathering continued to deepen the long-standing sister-state and sister-city relationships that connect Hawaiʻi and Japan across generations.
The Summit began on May 20 with a well-attended Welcome Reception at the Official Residence of the Consul General of Japan in Honolulu. Consul General Chotoku and his wife graciously opened their doors to welcome guests, setting a warm and memorable tone for the days ahead. Doors opened with the lively sounds from the Royal Hawaiian Band while attendees enjoyed food provided by Zetton, Inc. restaurants and delicious sake courtesy of Kokusai Sake Kai while reconnecting with longtime partners, meeting new friends, and celebrating the spirit of aloha that continues to define the Hawaiʻi–Japan relationship. Local Kenjinkai also hosted booths sharing regional specialties, giving guests a meaningful opportunity to experience the unique traditions and pride of Japan’s prefectures represented here in Hawaiʻi.
Opening Ceremony: Culture, Friendship, and a New Sister-State Bond
On May 21, the Summit officially opened with a ceremony that honored both Hawaiʻi’s cultural traditions and the enduring friendship between Hawaiʻi and Japan. Guests were welcomed with a traditional oli and performances by male hula kahiko dancers, grounding the gathering in a deep sense of place, protocol, and respect.
A highlight of the Opening Ceremony was the signing of a new sister-state relationship between Governor Josh Green of the State of Hawaiʻi and Governor Ryuta Ibaragi of Okayama Prefecture in Japan. The signing marked an important new chapter in Hawaiʻi–Japan relations and expanded the network of partnerships that continue to connect communities, governments, businesses, and families across the Pacific.
A Keynote Framing the Future
The Summit’s opening session featured keynote speaker Joshua Walker, PhD, President and CEO of Japan Society in New York. A bilingual and bicultural leader raised in Japan, Dr. Walker brought a global perspective shaped by his work in diplomacy, international affairs, business, and cultural exchange.
His remarks helped frame the Summit’s larger purpose: strengthening the people-to-people, government-to-government, and community-to-community relationships that allow Hawaiʻi and Japan to work together with trust, creativity, and shared vision. His presence underscored the importance of Hawaiʻi’s role as a bridge between Japan, the United States, and the broader Pacific.
Dr. Joshua Walker
Breakout Sessions: Shared Challenges, Shared Opportunities
The Summit’s breakout sessions brought together leaders and experts across several important areas of collaboration.
The One Health for All session explored the connection between people, animals, plants, and the environment, highlighting how Hawaiʻi and Japan can learn from one another’s holistic approaches to health, sustainability, and community well-being.
(L-R) Moderator: Dr. Sandra Chang, Director, One Health Program, University of Hawaiʻi; Josh Green, M.D., Governor, State of Hawaiʻi; Seitaro Hattori, Governor, Fukuoka Prefectural Government; Dr. Katey Pelican, Director, Health Sciences Institute, University of Hawaiʻi
The Business of Pop Culture session focused on anime, gaming, and e-sports, examining how Hawaiʻi can move from being a consumer of Japanese pop culture to an active contributor in the global creative economy. With its multicultural identity and strategic Pacific location, Hawaiʻi was positioned as a natural hub for creative collaboration.
(L-R) Moderator: Mari Erdman, MBA; Ricky Uy, Co-founder & CEO, KOMODO; Michiteru Okabe, Veteran Game Designer, Capcom, Sega, & FromSoftware; Sae Sugiura, Deputy Mayor, Shibuya City; Nyle Sky Kauweloa, PhD, Director, UH E-Sports
The Hawaiʻi–Japan Economic Impact and Relationship session emphasized the deep economic ties between Hawaiʻi and Japan through tourism, trade, investment, education, and business exchange. The discussion explored current opportunities for economic investment and how the relationship between Hawaii and Japan supports jobs, small businesses, and long-term opportunities on both sides of the Pacific.
(L-R) Moderator: Colbert Matsumoto, Chairman, Tradewind Group, Inc.; Jacob Vuillemin, Economist, DBEDT; James Tokioka, Director, DBEDT; Neill Char, Vice Chair, Retail Banking & Consumer Products Group, First Hawaiian Bank; Shinichiro Shimizu, Vice Chairman, Japan Airlines
The Disaster Preparedness and Resiliency session highlighted the shared vulnerabilities of island communities. From severe weather and earthquakes to wildfires, volcanic activity, and logistical challenges, Hawaiʻi and Japan have much to learn from one another in building stronger, more resilient communities.
(L-R) COL. James Barros (Ret.), Administrator, HIEMA; Tsuguyoshi Miyagi, Vice Governor, Okinawa Prefecture; Hiroyuki Uchida, Mayor, Iwaki City; Andrea Ciletti, Branch Chief, ARIS, CFE-DM; Renise Bayne, Regional Disaster Officer, American Red Cross, Pacific Islands Region; Moderator: Molly Schmidt, CEO, American Red Cross, Pacific Islands Region
The Free and Open Indo-Pacific session addressed the strategic importance of the region and the role Hawaiʻi and Japan play in supporting peace, stability, and cooperation. The conversation reinforced that the Pacific is not an abstract policy concept for Hawaiʻi — it is the ocean that connects families, commerce, travel, military service, education, disaster response, and friendship.
(L-R) Manabu Imakyurei, President, National Institute for Defense Studies, Ministry of Defense, Japan; Dr. Joshua Walker, President & CEO, Japan Society of New York; MAJ GEN Suzy Vares Lum (Ret.), Director, Daniel K Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies (APCSS)
The Sports Diplomacy session explored how sports can build relationships and goodwill across borders. Events such as the Honolulu Marathon, international competitions, and athlete exchanges show how sports can create cultural understanding, strengthen tourism, and bring people together through shared experience.
(L-R) David Erdman, Interim President & CEO, Retail Merchants of Hawaiʻi; Senator Glenn Wakai, Hawaii State Senate; Dr. Jim Barahal, Healthcare Entrepreneur & Sports Event Executive; Don Nomura, MLBPA Certified Agent, FIFA Licensed Agent; Rika Riordan, Chairperson, Pickleball Japan Federation
Together, these sessions showed the scope of the Hawaiʻi–Japan relationship and the many ways both communities can continue working together to address shared challenges and create new opportunities.
The Sister Summit Marketplace
The Sister Summit Marketplace added another engaging dimension to the event, bringing together exhibitors from Hawaiʻi and Japan, including businesses, cultural organizations, educational institutions, government agencies, and community partners. Open to both Summit attendees and the public, the Marketplace provided opportunities to discover products and services, learn about sister-city and sister-state initiatives, exchange ideas, and forge new connections. The diverse group of exhibitors reflected the diversity of the Hawaiʻi–Japan relationship and demonstrated how collaboration extends beyond government and policy into business, culture, education, and community engagement, further strengthening the people-to-people ties at the heart of the Sister Summit.
Economic Policy Forum: Expanding Business Pathways
The Summit continued on May 22 with an Economic Policy Forum at the East-West Center at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. Sponsored by the City and County of Honolulu and planned by the Japan-America Society of Hawaiʻi and Hawaiʻi Leadership Forum, the session brought together invited government officials and business leaders for focused discussion on strengthening business connections between Hawaiʻi and Japan.
The forum centered on the opportunities and challenges faced by Hawaiʻi companies seeking to do business in Japan and Japanese companies seeking to do business in Hawaiʻi. Participants discussed how to make the process more accessible, practical, and welcoming for companies on both sides of the Pacific.
By bringing government leaders together in a focused setting, the forum extended the Summit’s mission beyond dialogue and into action. It provided an important space to identify barriers, exchange ideas, and explore ways to support future trade, investment, entrepreneurship, and economic collaboration between Hawaiʻi and Japan.
Mahalo to Our Sponsors
The Summit would not have been possible without the generous support of its sponsors, whose commitment helped bring together leaders from Hawaiʻi and Japan for dialogue, partnership, and renewed friendship.
Special mahalo goes to the State of Hawaiʻi Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism, whose presenting sponsorship helped make this important convening possible.
We extend our deepest appreciation to our Diamond Sponsors:Global-Tech and the City and County of Honolulu, for their extraordinary leadership and support. Their commitment reflected the importance of strengthening Hawaiʻi–Japan relationships at the highest level and helped anchor the success of the Summit.
We are also especially grateful to our Emerald Sponsors: AITOZTECH, Central Pacific Bank, Cushman & Wakefield | ChaneyBrooks, First Hawaiian Bank, Hawaiian Airlines, Island Insurance Companies, and Japan Airlines. Their major support played a vital role in advancing the Summit’s mission and creating a meaningful platform for connection, collaboration, and exchange.
Our sincere thanks also go to our Sapphire Sponsors: ABC Stores, Halekulani, Hawaiʻi Tourism Japan, JERA Americas, Outrigger Hospitality Group, Pan Pacific Retail Management (Hawaii) Corporation, Pūlama Lānaʻi, Ms. Jean Rolles, Servco, Ward Village, and Y. Hata & Co., Limited.
We also gratefully acknowledge our Pearl Sponsors: HEI, JTB, Japanese Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Hawaii, KTA Super Stores, Suisan, Kuakini Health System, and PICHTR.
Their collective support strengthened the Summit and demonstrated the broad community commitment behind Hawaiʻi and Japan’s shared future.
Mahalo to the Planning Committee and Volunteers
A special mahalo also goes to the dedicated planning committee and volunteers whose time, care, and behind-the-scenes work made the Summit possible. From coordinating logistics and welcoming guests to supporting programs, speakers, delegations, and attendees, their efforts helped create a smooth, meaningful, and memorable gathering for all who participated.
A Relationship Built on People
At the heart of the Summit was a powerful message: sister-state and sister-city relationships are not ceremonial agreements. They are living partnerships. When actively nurtured, they create trusted platforms for cultural understanding, educational exchange, economic opportunity, policy dialogue, and people-to-people connection.
The Summit highlighted the many ways Hawaiʻi and Japan continue to learn from one another. As island communities, both understand the importance of resilience, sustainability, cultural preservation, and innovation. The conversations throughout the Summit reflected a shared commitment to building a future rooted in trust, respect, and collaboration.
The Sister Summit Marketplace added another vibrant layer to the event, showcasing organizations, businesses, products, and services from Hawaiʻi and Japan. It created space for exhibitors and attendees to exchange ideas, build partnerships, and celebrate the innovation and culture of both communities.
For the Japan-America Society of Hawaiʻi, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, the Summit served as a powerful reflection of its mission to foster understanding, friendship, and cooperation between the people of Japan and Hawaiʻi.
As the Summit concluded, participants left with gratitude, optimism, and renewed determination. Leaders exchanged ideas, businesses explored opportunities, educators and community members built bridges, and friendships continued to grow.
The 2026 Hawaiʻi–Japan Sister State and Sister City Summit showed that the future of the Pacific will be shaped through relationships grounded in mutual respect, shared purpose, and sustained engagement. Hawaiʻi and Japan have demonstrated for generations what meaningful partnership can achieve.
Now, together, we move forward.
Dōmo arigatō gozaimasu. Mahalo.
