Singing "Irankarapute" in Honolulu !

by Kazu

The Construction Tycoon in Hokkaido Mr. Yoshiro ITO who was also the Chair of Japan-America Society in Hokkaido pleasantly delivered the speech on the significance of the affiliation between Japan and the USA including Hokkaido and Hawaii. 

Originally, he was against the establishment of the Sister-state Affiliation between Hokkaido and Hawaii because Hokkaido Prefecture had already had established the Sister-State Affiliation with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the USA. 

I explained to him, before the event, that there was no "Friendship Affiliation " category in the states of the USA. "In Japanese, we will use Friendship Affiliation 友好提携 but in English, we will use Sister-States Affiliation. Fortunately, he had agreed with me before the event.  

 

The First Japanese- American Governor of Hawaii and Me !

by Kazu

The first Lady of the State of Hawaii at that time Mrs. Dawn Amano IGE escorted the Former Governor Mr. Geoge ARIYOSHI to show her  respect to him. I had the honor to talk to them in ENGLISH even though Mr. Ariyoshi spoke in Japanese so fluently. I did not know that.  

Mr. Ariyoshi said to me, " Your English is so good." I continued to talk to him in English but one of his acquaintances talked to him suddenly in Japanese. He started to talk in Japanese so fluently. I was so ashamed of my ignorance and arrogance.

The Chair of Japan-America Society in Hokkaido Mr. Yoshiro ITO from Sapporo also delivered a congratulatory words to the participants to the ceremony. He was and is the construction tycoon in Hokkaido and a special influence to the US Navy. 

 

The Governors of the State of Hawaii and Me !

by Kazu

After the speeches on the significance of the new Sister-State Affiliation between Hokkaido and Hawaii delivered by the Governors and the Presiding officers of the regions, they all signed up the Memorandums of Agreement to establish a new affiliations.

These are the photos of signing by the top brasses of Hokkaido and Hawaii. That was on May 9(Mon.), 2017. The enthusiasm of the participants was heading to the peak and unbelievable applause occurred just after the signing. 

Watching the scene and taking these photos, I felt so satisfied with the milestone of the relationship, caring, beneficial and everlasting, between the regions.I will never forget the moment.

As if it was a rewards to myself, I had the honor to talk with the first Japanese American Governor in the United States, Mr. George ARIYOSHI after the signing.

 

Speech by the Governor of Hokkaido in the Ceremony !

by Kazu

At the beginning of the signing ceremony to establish a Sister-State Affiliation between Hokkaido and Hawaii, the Governor of Hokkaido,  at that time, Ms. Harumi Takahashi delivered the speech on the significance of the relationship of the regions.

The regions had already been connected by the direct flights in 2017 but some kinds of stronger relationship might be required to maintain the flights forever.

The President of the Senate of the State of Hawaii Mr. Ron. Kouchi also delivered so nice speech with the interpretation provided my friend Ms. Nikki Thompson.

The Speaker of the Hokkaido Legislative Assembly at that time Mr. Ren Endo also confessed his enthusiasm to the relationship between the regions in his speech.

 

Food Stands in the Signing Ceremony !

by Kazu

The Japanese Pork Cutlet Restaurant headquartered in Sapporo, Hokkaido "Tonkatsu Tamafuji" kindly set up the food stand to provide its Signature Pork Cutlet Sandwich in the courtyard of the Hawaii Museum.

The building of the Hawaii Museum also accommodates my friends' office of Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. The building had been used as "Hawaii Hotel "many years ago. 

The Ramen Noodle Soup Restaurant "Baiko-ken" and "Santouka" headquartered in Asahikawa, Hokkaido also kindly set up their food stand in the venue of the reception. Both of them have their own branch in Honolulu.
 

Food Stands in the Reception !

by Kazu

At the venue of the signing ceremony and the reception for the sister-state affiliation between Hokkaido and Hawaii, some companies set up their food stands and promotion booths. 

HTB, Hokkaido Television Broadcasting Company  headquartered in Sapporo put up the booth for their TV program in cooperation with Dokoga TV in Hawaii. The mascot character "On-chan" figure was there with the panels of photos. 

"Tonkatsu Tamafuji" provided the guests with their chef's signature fried pork cutlet on the site. Not so many guests were in front of their food stand then but you have to wait for about two hours to savor the delicious pork cutlet in their restaurant now in Honolulu.

 

Signing Ceremony Got Started !

by Kazu

The signing ceremony got started by the announcement by the Director of Department of Business, Economic Development and  Tourism, at that time, Mr. Luis Salaveria in the evening of May, 2017.

The Governor of the State of Hawaii,  at that time,Mr. David Yutaka IGE delivered the words of appreciation and hospitality. All the participants looked so excited and enjoying the atmosphere in the venue. 

I was surprised to see the first Japanese-American Governor of the State Mr. George Ariyoshi at the main table. I was so happy to see him and talk with him for a while in English. But he had a good command in Japanese.