In Enthusiasm !

by Kazu

The main table of the ceremony hosted by the State of Hawaii accommodated the Governor of Hokkaido at that time Ms. Takahashi, the Governor of the State of Hawaii and the former Governor of the State Mr. George ARIYOSHI  on that day in 2017.

The Governor's wife Mrs. Dawn Amano IGE whose background had been in the education area before her official mandate in Hawaii. After the reception, I could have a conversations with the former Governor  George ARIYOSHI.

One of my friends Mr . George Ariyoshi looked so tough and spry when we met him at the beginning of the ceremony on that day. I was so proud of talking with him at the end of the ceremony.

 

Dance & Play and Bride !

by Kazu

There were so tough procedures to take them to Honolulu to let them play at the beginning of the ceremony to celebrate the signing to establish the Sister-state Affiliation between Hokkaido and Hawaii. 

I happened to meet a couple Japanese who got married in Honolulu and swear. The Governor of Hokkaido, at that time, Ms. Takahashi kindly gave the words of congratulation to the bride and the bridegroom in the party.  

In fact, I met them in the shopping mall in Kahara in Oahu just before the ceremony.I gave them a ride to come back to Waikiki and invited to the ceremony for their memory. I was so happy to see their smiles on taht day. 

 

Dance & Play by Sapporo Intercultural and Technological High School !

by Kazu

I remembered the smiles of my friends and the members of the official delegation from Hokkaido. The Consul General in Honolulu, at that time, Mr. Misawa joined the courtesy call and the discussion on that day. 

Just before the official ceremony to celebrate the signing of the Sister-state Affiliation between Hokkaido and Hawaii, the selected Dance & Play Unit from Sapporo Intercultural and Technological High School rehearsed in front of the office building of  Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism.  

It was the building of the Museum of Hawaii and former Hawaii Hotel.The selected members of the performers from Sapporo Intercultural and Technological High School showed their best performance in Honolulu on that day.  

 

Getting to Know Each Other !

by Kazu

The Hokkaido Delegation paid a courtesy call on the President of the Senate of the State of Hawaii and the House Speaker of the State. Kindly they got together in a conference room in the capitol of the state.

The President of the Senate Mr. Kouchi and the House Speaker Mr. Saiki kindly accepted to be paid a courtesy call by Hokkaido's official  Delegation in a conference room in the capitol. 

After the courtesy call on the Assembly of the State of Hawaii, we paid a courtesy call on the Governor of the State and took photos at the special venue for the press scrum by the governor.  

 

Ke Kula Kaiapuni O Anuenue in Honolulu 2 !

by Kazu

It took about thirty years to reach this situation. The immersion school to teach the original Hawaiian language and culture "Ke Kula Kaiapuni O'Anuenue" in Honolulu kindly accepted the Hokkaido delegation. 

To be surprised, the Vice Principal of the school was one of the first immigrants from Ainu, the indigenous people in Hokkaido. The tattoo on her face was one of their traditional make-up. 

It is very difficult to preserve the language and culture that has nocharacters. 

But their efforts exerted have a lot to learn for Hokkaido and Ainu people.

 

Ke Kula Kaiapuni O Anuenue !

by Kazu

When the event the Hokkaido Fair in Honolulu 2017 was held, the Governor of Hokkaido, at that time, Ms. Takahashi delivered a speech to deliver the hopeful possibility to strengthen the relationship in a variety of area of each regions of Hokkaido and Hawaii. 

To be honest, it was so hard to export Hokkaido 's top quality beef graded as "Marble 12 of Wagyu " produced in Hokkaido. I did not expected the cooperation provided by the A Cooperation in Hokkaido in this event before our visit to Hawaii but actually, they provided us with  incredible cooperation under the name of the Sister-state Affiliation between Hokkaido and Hawaii. 

The immersion school Ke Kula Kaiapuni O'Anuenue showed so nice hospitality to the delegation from Hokkaido. Each member of the official Hokkaido delegation was so imperssed and moved by their hospitality and their indigenous performances.

 

Hokkaido Fair in Japan Culture Center in Honolulu !

by Kazu

The attire of the performers might be simpler than the regular ones they wore usually but their performance was so nice on that day even though I had never seen their performance before that. 

The Hokkaido Fair 2017 in Honolulu was held at Japan Culture Center in Hawaii with the participation of a variety of Hokkaido lovers and their relatives as well as their friends.

the Governor of Hokkaido, at that time, delivered a key note speech to the participants to the event. I was not sure the actual effects to the citizens of Honolulu but the Hokkaido lovers seemed so happy on that day.

 

The Gift from Hokkaido to Central Pacific Bank !

by Kazu

To tell the truth, the memorial gift from Hokkaido a pair of glass cup were selected by myself. I chose the glasses made by Kitaichi Glassware Company headquartered in the Port City Otaru. 

I make a point of sending the glassware to the person who should be treated so nicely for the future of Hokkaido. If Ms. Ngo was pleased with the gift from Hokkaido, I was so happy. 

The gift from Ms. Ngo was a figure of Shetland Sheepdog. I forgot the reason of the choice but it was so pretty and well-manufactured, I remember. 

 

Gift exchange between Hokkaido Prefectural Government and Central Pacific Bank !

by Kazu

At the end of the courtesy call on the CEO of Central Pacific Bank Ms. Catherine Gno paid by the official delegation from Hokkaido including Hokkaido Prefectural Government, both sides gave some presents to each other. 

It seemed that both of Ms. Gno and the Governor Takahashi got good feeling each other. I hope the positive impression helps the businesses in both regions develop their possibility.

Ms. Gno seemed to be so nice and kind that all the delegation members from Hokkaido were so pleased to see her and satisfied with the opportunity.  I was so happy to see that. 

 

Central Pacific Bank and Hokkaido !

by Kazu

The official delegation of Hokkaido paid a courtesy call on the CEO of Central Pacific Bank Ms. Catherine Gno in May of 2017. The CEO of Tokachi Daily News Paper Mr. Mitsushige HAYASHI and his wife joined the courtesy call.

Central Pacific Bank established a business affiliation with North Pacific Bank headquartered in Sapporo before the Sister-state Affiliation between Hokkaido and Hawaii was established.  

When the clients of North Pacific Bank in Hokkaido seek for the opportunity to extend their business to Hawaii, Central Pacific Bank provides them with the pertinent information to start a business in Hawaii. It is much easier to establish a bank account in Central Pacific Bank for the clients of North Pacific Bank than others and in other bank in the US.