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JOIN US IN HONOLULU

On July 27–28, 2023, hundreds of senior government officials and key business, cultural, educational, and civic leaders from Hawaii and Japan will attend the inaugural Hawaii-Japan Sister State & Sister City Summit: The Ties That Bind. Delegates will connect, strengthen relationships, and create new initiatives to boost trade, direct investment, collaboration, and goodwill between Hawaii and Japan.

The Sister Summit will take place in the Coral Ballroom at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort in world-famous Waikiki. Receive a special hotel room package upon booking for the Sister Summit.

PANEL SESSIONS & SPEAKERS

Pursuing Suitable Balance

Tourism contributes to the economy by bringing in visitor spending, generating tax revenue, and creating jobs. However, over-tourism can negatively impact the natural environment as well as the livelihood of the residents of the hosting community. For popular travel destinations like Hawaii, along with many of its sister prefectures and sister cities in Japan, it is essential that governments establish and enact long-term sustainability practices that balance environmental, socio-cultural, and economic aspects involving tourism. This session will share examples of areas facing over-tourism, examine post-pandemic era developments, and explore best practices for managing tourist sites and destinations for a sustainable future.

Image by AussieActive

Moderator

Michelle Kauhane, Senior VP of Grants & Investments, Hawaii Community Foundation

Speakers

John DeFries, President and CEO, Hawaii Tourism Authority

Kurt Matsumoto, President, Pulama Lanai

Junichi "Jack" Kumada, General Manager of International Affairs, JTB Corp. 

SPONSORSHIP

With the support of our generous sponsors, we are able to gather for the inaugural Hawaii-Japan Sister States/Sister Cities Summit in Honolulu, Hawaii. Please consider becoming a sponsor. Download our sponsorship packet for more information.  

Diamond Sponsor

Tao Engineering

Emerald Sponsor

Central Pacific Bank
Cushman & Wakefield | ChaneyBrooks
Hawaiian Electric Industries
Island Insurance Companies

Sapphire Sponsor

Bank of Hawaiʻi
Blacksand Capital
First Hawaiian Bank
Hilton Hawaiian Village
JTB
Kyoya
Pūlama Lānaʻi
Honolulu Star Adversiser
Sponsorship
Image by Jonny Gios

Network with exhibitors

MARKETPLACE

The Sister Summit Marketplace will be open July 27–28 in the Coral Ballroom lounge featuring booths from Japan and Hawaii. Government and business entities will showcase their services and products, exchange ideas and information, and promote new ways to develop and maintain robust sister relationships.

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HONORARY CHAIRS

Governor Josh Green

Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi

Hawaii Mayor Mitch Roth

Maui Mayor Richard Bissen

Kauai Mayor Derek Kawakami

Consul General of Japan in Honolulu Yutaka Aoki

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名誉委員長

ジョシュ・グリーン/ハワイ州知事

リック・ブランジャルディ/ホノルル市長

ミッチ・ロス/ハワイ郡長

リチャード・ビッセン/マウイ郡長

デリック・カワカミ/カウアイ郡長

青木豊在ホノルル日本国総領事

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CONVENER

Japan-America Society of Hawaii

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議長団体

ハワイ日米協会

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PRESENTING SPONSOR

State of Hawaii

Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism

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プレゼンティング・スポンサー

ハワイ州

産業経済開発観光局

(DBEDT)

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PARTNERS

Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii

Hawaii United Okinawa Association

Honolulu Japanese Chamber of Commerce

Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii

United Japanese Society of Hawaii

U.S.-Japan Council

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協力団体