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Chairperson Valerie Poindexter and Members of the County Council Sister City Annual Report 2017-2018 Page 4 YURIHAMA CITY, JAPAN — Formerly Hawai'i-Cho Resolution No. 400-96, dated October 16, 1996. The supporting organization is the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Hawaii (JCCIH). October 2, 2017 Mayor Kim sent a letter to Mayor Masamichi Miyawaki to thank him and the people of Yurihama for their continued support in hosting the Hilo Intermediate School Builders Club during their annual visit to Japan as they learn first-hand about the Japanese culture, language, customs, and lifestyle. October 4 — 13, 2017 Fifteen (15) students from Hilo Intermediate School's Builders Club and two (2) chaperones and Ms. Amy Aoyagi of Kobayashi Travel, went to Japan for a 9-day student and cultural exchange. The students explored the town of Yurihama, where they visited its town hall, two Junior High schools, played a game of ground golf, participated in a workshop on chopstick-making and more. The students also experienced homestays with host families where they were briefly exposed to Japanese daily life, food, culture and shopping. SHIBUKAWA CITY, JAPAN (Formerly Ikaho-Machi) Resolution No. 16-97, dated January 27, 1997. The supporting organization is the Japanese Community Association of Hawai'i (JCAH). August 2017 From August 2 — 7, 2017, a delegation of six (6) members that included Japanese Community Association of Hawaii members. Mr. Ivan Nakano and Mr. Mike Miyahara, Managing Director Wil Okabe and Mrs. Merle Okabe, Council Chair Valerie Poindexter, and Council staff Kaci Tsuneda, travelled to Shibukawa City to attend the 2017 Ikaho Hawaiian Festival. Mr. Wil Okabe represented Mayor Harry Kim. This event is held annually which serves as a testimony and gesture of friendship between Shibukawa and the County of Hawai'i. The delegates experienced and enjoyed Japan's largest Hawaiian festival and hula competition which has become a summer tradition for the town of Ikaho, Japan. The delegation also visited the Shibukawa City Hall and were welcomed by Mayor Sadaji Akutsu and his staff. Mr. Okabe presented the Mayor with an omiyage of Hawaiian shirts and a handcrafted canoe paddle that served as a reminder of the HOkUle'a voyage around the world. Mayor Akutsu expressed affirmation of a continued sister city relationship and the importance of culture exchanges and long lasting friendship. • County of Hawai'i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.