Please resume the direct flight between Chitose and Honolulu !

by Kazu

The official delegation from  Hokkaido Prefectural Government also paid a courtesy call on the CEO of  Hawaiian Air Mr.  Peter Ingram who  had  been  the Vice President of  the company when  Hokkaido and  Hawaii had  established the Sister-state Affiliation in 2017. 

Hokkaido and  Hawaii had  been  connected with the direct flights before the pandemic of  covid-19 but not  any more. After lifting a various prohibitions and  regulations, the regions should be connect with the direct flights again. 

We asked Mr.  Ingram  to  resume the direct flights and  support to  strengthen and  broaden the relationship. We  Hokkaido citizens also should use the direct flights frequently in business and  private.

  

 

Very Hard Work of Consul General of Japan in Honolulu!

by Kazu

The official delegation from  Hokkaido Prefectural Government finished its courtesy call on the Consulate General of Japan in Honolulu and  took the memorial photos at the entrance of the Consulate.  

The regional Director General of  JTB in Hokkaido Mr.  Koji ABE joined the official delegation from  Hokkaido. He contributed to establishing the Sister-state Affiliation between Hokkaido and  Hawaii in 2017. 

He came back from  Australia as if  he took care of  the relationship continuously. I was so confident of  the success of  our visit with his  cooperation and  presence itself. 

 

Consulate General of Japan in Honolulu !

by Kazu

The  official delegation from Hokkaido Prefectural Government paid a courtesy call on  the Consul General of  Japan in Honolulu, Mr.  Yutaka Aoki and  was  given a briefing on  the current situation in Hawaii and  its relationship with Japan.

Mr. Aoki seemed to be so  busy but he and  the staff in the Consulate General kindly  received us and  offered their cooperation to strengthen the relationship between Hokkaido and  Hawaii. 

I was very happy to see so  many people were involved in this momentum and  playing each important role to create the better future of  both regions. We  must not forget the intestinal fortitude of  our ancestors.

 

For Memories!

by Kazu

My  Bro. in Honolulu, Mr.  Pali Kaaihue, the Hokkaido Smile Ambassador in Hawaii kindly joined the lunch party thrown by Hokkaido Prefectural Government and  delivered the words  of  appreciation and  hope toward the future of  both regions.  

The  thing is how to hand down the trust and  solid, beneficial and everlasting affiliation to next generations. We  have to move forward to create the system to communicate and  visit each other. 

I would like to establish the House Partnership System  to stay longer for cheaper cost. The  partners who  established the trust as mutual visiting partners stay in the other's house or flat almost during the same stint. What do

you think about it ?

 

FOR the Participants!

by Kazu

After wrapping up the lunch hosted by Hokkaido Prefectural Government, all the delegation members from Hokkaido including the members of the Hokkaido Ainu Association took photos with the friends of Hokkaido Club in Hawaii. Diamond Head gave a good twist to the memorial photos. 

The delegation from the Hokkaido Ainu Association seemed to be so satisfied with their good performance to show their traditional dance with songs during the lunch.

Some of the delegation members would step down. Mr. Ren Endo, the former Speaker of the Hokkaido Legislative Assembly and two more delegation members would do that too. They would hand down their role as the driving force to strengthen and deepen the relationship to the next generation.

 

Go Ahead Together !

by Kazu

My Bro. one of the Hokkaido Smile Ambassador in Hawaii Mr. Pali Kaaihue, Musician, TV Producer and Composer had taken so many Hawaiian people who had much influence on SNS to Hokkaido.   

It was so fine in Honolulu on that day. The seasoned and experienced tour guide took us around the lookout near Ala Moana Center. We could take nice photos against the backdrop of Diamond Head.

Diamond head was colored with green. My Bro. Pali's house was near there.I had met his mom and auntie before the pandemic of  covid-19 . Our friendship will continue forever. I promise to take my wife to Hawaii soon.

 

Hokkaido Legislative Assembly to Mr. Koitabashi !

by Kzau

Mr. Kyoji "Kavin" Koitabashi, President of Hokkaido Club in Hawaii delivered the words of appreciation and introduced his successor to head the entity. He had worked for JTB, Japan Travel Bureau in Honolulu for long time. 

The former Speaker of Hokkaido Legislative Assembly Mr. Ren Endo handed the memento to Mr. Koitabashi. Mr. Endo had been the Chairperson of Japan-US Friendship Group in Hokkaido Legislative Assembly and the President of Malama Hawaii in Hokkaido.

Mr. Koitabashi would step down and his successor will take his role soon after this party. Mr. Koitabashi actually did good jobs to establish a Sister-state Affiliation between Hokkaido and Hawaii. His profession had helped to accelerate the process.

Without introducing all the participants by me, it seemed to be a little bit difficult for the participants to enjoy having a chat during the lunch party. We have to create such opportunity again and again.