REP GRC 010 12/20/2011 2010-2012

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REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS DATE: December 20, 2011 Re: Comm. 495/Res. 197-12 PLACE: Council Chambers Hilo, Hawai`i TIME: 11:30 a.m. Council Chair and Members Hawaii County Council Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Your Committee on Governmental Relations, to which was referred Resolution 197-12, reports as follows: Resolution 197-12, transmitted by Council Member Brittany Smart, by request, via Communication No. 495, dated November 30, 2011, recommends the establishment of a sister- city relationship between La Reunion and the County of Hawai`i, and authorizes the Mayor to enter into a formal signed agreement. Charmaine Shigemura, Protocol Officer for the County of Hawai`i, came forward to answer questions of the Committee and explained that the Resolution came from the Mayor's Office after a visit from the Presidential delegation and officials of the government of La Reunion. La Reunion is a French island located in the Indian Ocean. Ms. Shigemura explained that there are many similarities between the island of Hawaii and the island of La Reunion. Both have active volcanoes, and by establishing a Sister-City relationship we can learn more about each other. The La Reunion contingency also met with Volcano National Park and County Officials regarding a National Park relationship. Both are located on United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Sites. Alain and Marie Gerente will serve as the La Reunion sister-city goodwill ambassadors and liaisons. Your Committee on Governmental Relations is in accord with the purpose and intent of Resolution 197-12 and recommends its adoption. ke AYES NOES A&E EX Respectfully submitted, BLAS X FORD x COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL HOFFMANN X RELATIONS IKEDA X ONISHI X PILAGO X t -SMART x K. ANGE 7PILAGO, CHA it YAGONG X GRC REPORT N•. 10 YOSHIMOTO X ADOPTED: JAN 0 4 2012