Fukuoka Prefectural Delegation for Promoting Friendship with Hawaii Visited Hawaii

　For more than 40 years, Fukuoka Prefecture and the State of Hawaii have deepened exchanges in various fields, such as economy, youth, education, and culture. From April 19 to 24, the Fukuoka Prefectural Delegation for Promoting Friendship with Hawaii (hereafter referred to as the prefectural delegation), led by the Governor of Fukuoka Prefecture and the Chairperson of the Fukuoka Prefectural Assembly, Mr. Kiriake, visited the State of Hawaii.

Wednesday, April 19

Courtesy visit to the Consul General of Japan in Honolulu

　The prefectural delegation paid a courtesy visit to the Consul General of Honolulu, Yutaka Aoki. The prefectural delegation received an explanation about the situation in the State of Hawaii and exchanged opinions with each other.

(Photo) Consul General Aoki (center) and the prefectural delegation

Courtesy visit to the Governor of Hawaii and the Chairpersons of the Hawaii State Senate and House of Representatives

 The prefectural delegation paid a courtesy visit to the Governor of Hawaii, Josh Green, followed by a courtesy visit to the Chairpersons of the Hawaii Senate and House of Representatives.

　In his speech, the Governor said, “We will start new initiatives in areas such as health, education, food, and the economy in order to firmly pass the baton of long-standing mutual friendship down to the next generation.”

(Photo) The Governor of Fukuoka Prefecture greeted

(Photo) With Governor Green (center) and members of the Hawaii State Legislature

Commemorative Ceremony and Reception Organized by the Hawaii State Government

　A commemorative ceremony and reception organized by the Hawaii State Government were held. At the commemorative ceremony, the Fukuoka Governor and Hawaii State Governor Green signed the “Fukuoka-Hawaii Sister State Confirmation Declaration.” In addition, Fukuoka Prefectural Board of Education’s Superintendent Yoshida and Hawaii Department of Education Superintendent Hayashi signed “the Memorandum between the Fukuoka Prefectural Board of Education and the Hawaii Department of Education.”

(Photo) Commemorative photo at the ceremony

Thursday, April 20

Fukuoka Fair (DEAN & DELUCA)

The prefectural delegation attended the “Fukuoka Fair,” which promotes the charm of Fukuoka’s food materials to the local media and influencers.

　In addition to promoting local ingredients, such as Yame cha (tea) and Fukuoka Ariake nori (seaweed), in his greeting the governor said: “I would be very happy if you could convey the wonderfulness of Fukuoka to the people of Hawaii.  Let’s meet again in Fukuoka next time.”

(Photo) The Governor of Fukuoka Prefecture greeted

Visit to James Campbell High School

 The prefectural delegation visited James Campbell Hawaii State high school.
 The governor thanked everyone at the school for their warm welcome, saying: “It is planned that a high school basketball team from our prefecture will visit your school in August of this year, and that the students from your school will visit Fukuoka to do joint practices and games in November.  I would like to continue to promote student exchanges and to accumulate exchanges proactively with the big goal of nurturing human resources who will be responsible for the future of Fukuoka Prefecture and Hawaii.  I look forward to seeing you in Fukuoka in the future.”

(Photo) Meeting

(Photo) Exchanging souvenirs with Principal Lee of the school

(Photo) With students from the school

Friday, April 21

Visit to Kapiolani Community College, the University of Hawaii

The prefectural delegation visited Kapiolani Community College, the University of Hawaii.

　The governor said: “This exchange is a very significant program that not only develops professionals in the field of food who can play an active role internationally but also leads to disseminating each other’s food culture to the world.  I would like the students of Kapiolani College to experience the charm of Fukuoka’s food.”

(Photo) The Governor of Fukuoka Prefecture greeted

(Photo) With students of Kapiolani College

Memorandum signing ceremony for promoting One Health with the University of Hawaii

The prefectural delegation visited the University of Hawaii and signed a memorandum regarding the promotion of One Health between our prefecture and the University of Hawaii.

　The governor expressed his gratitude to the university’s president, David Lassner, for agreeing to create a system of collaboration and cooperation related to the promotion of One Health. “I would like to use the conclusion of the memorandum to promote further cooperation with universities and research institutes,” he said.

(Photo) Signing ceremony

Visit to Washington Middle School

The prefectural delegation visited Washington Middle School, which has a sister school relationship with Joyo Hokuzei Gakuen in Yame City, received an overview of the middle school, and observed interaction with the students of Joyo Hokuzei Gakuen online.

　The governor expressed his gratitude for the heartfelt welcome of the students of the school and said: “I sincerely hope that the exchanges between the two schools will continue to develop.  At the same time, I sincerely wish all the students a bright future.”

(Photo) Students playing welcome Japanese drums

(Photo) Online exchange

(Photo) With students from the school

Fukuoka Fair (Robata JINYA)

The prefectural delegation attended the “Fukuoka Fair,” which promoted the charm of Fukuoka’s food materials to local chefs, food professionals, and tourism professionals.

　The governor promoted Yame Cha (tea), local sake, natural red snapper, Fukuoka Ariake Nori (seaweed), and other ingredients produced in the prefecture, and  he said: “There are many wonderful agricultural, forestry and fishery products produced from nature in Fukuoka Prefecture surrounded by three oceans and blessed with a very rich natural environment.  We, Fukuoka, are looking forward to meeting you all.”

(Photo) The Governor of Fukuoka Prefecture greeted

Saturday, April 22

National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific Flower Offering Ceremony

The prefectural delegation visited the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, where war dead from World War I and World War II and their families are buried, and offered flowers.

　The memorial cemetery not only honors the war dead but also Daniel Inouye, the first Japanese American to serve in Congress, and Ellison Onizuka, an astronaut who died in the Space Shuttle Challenger accident in 1986, and other people related to Fukuoka Prefecture are also buried there.

(Photo) Flower Offering Ceremony

(Photo) Flower Offering Ceremony

Opinion exchange meeting with the Hawaii Fukuoka Kenjinkai

The prefectural delegation attended an opinion exchange meeting with the Hawaii Fukuoka Kenjinkai.

　Not only those who had moved to Hawaii but also business people related to our prefecture attended the opinion exchange meeting. At the opinion exchange meeting, the governor expressed his gratitude for continuing activities without breaking the bond with Fukuoka Prefecture and said: “The 12th World Conference of the Fukuoka Kenjinkai will be held in Fukuoka in 2025.  We would like to warmly welcome all of you to this World Conference. We look forward to seeing all of you at the event.”

(Photo) Greeting by the Governor of Fukuoka Prefecture

(Photo) With all attending members of the Hawaii Fukuoka Kenjinkai