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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0405.001 2018-2020 .--�tY OF k� ��c• •,/, Roy Takemoto V�"t�%. Managing Director Harry Kim Manor ;- -.' � " • - - Barbara J.Kossow w Deputy Managing Director t'6 •'•., OV40.1. CiIu�xut if� [Wntfloffirr olf fir Alavor 25 Aupuni Street,Suite 2603 • Hilo,Hawai`i 96720 • (808)961-8211 • Fax(808)961-6553 KONA: 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy.,Bldg.C • Kailua-Kona,Hawaii 96740 (808)323-4444 • Fax(808)323-4440 August 6, 2020 -- The Honorable Aaron S.Y. Chung 71 and Members of the County Council County of Hawai'i ' Hilo, Hawai'i 96720 Re: Sister City Annual Report 2019-2020 Dear Chair Chung and Council Members, Pursuant to Article 31, Section 2-166, of the Hawai'i County Code, the County Sister City Protocol Officer shall submit an annual report by July 31 of each year, covering the previous year's Sister City activities from July 1 through June 30. We apologize for the delay in submitting this year's report. The County of Hawai'i has 11 sister cities. This report will highlight activities under Mayor Harry Kim's administration from July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020 beginning with the oldest to the newest member. OSHIMA ISLAND, JAPAN Resolution No. 146-62, dated February 8, 1962. The supporting organization is the Japanese Chamber of Commerce & Industries of Hawai'i (JCCIH). August 2019 On August 10-11, 2019, Past-Presidents Tommy Goya and Dwayne Mukai represented JCCIH and the County of Hawaii at Oshima Island's Annual Summer Matsuri. They were warmly received by Mayor Toshihiro Mitsuji, his cabinet, a hula halau, traditional "Oshima Island Style" dancers and community members. Days were spent touring their beautiful volcanic island and evenings were spent rekindling and making new friendships. Tommy and Dwayne participated in the Summer Matsuri's Opening Ceremony as well as being an integral part in their annual "Jan Ken Po" contest. The Matsuri ended with a fantastic 30+ minute fireworks display. Comm. No. 11-°C ' I Ref.To: 6 i2 e--- County of Hawai`i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. Ref. Date AUG 0 202G The Honorable Aaron S.Y. Chung and Members of the County Council Sister City Annual Report 2019-2020 Page 2 111041:111111111111111111111111111in111111111111111111111111-11111 '1/4-"e\ . ,.-A 1,11111111ill[iii II 11111 tIli I. '1h i _ 1 t gItvi / 1B. - • 1-10 , A §� f fir, �' ,, .aye -4, , -;. ''', ',. ,,e414,ZA _, ,,,. , . 3. d i ,41. 7.,,,. ,,, _.,„. ,i., - o ''i , ' ,,, ,f'';'"-tli r,,, AI 'littk r---\.i.' - :,,,', ..,_ 1 ;,..„:. .- •... ...L.:.ig, = ,'i -it - . .... . . 11I � , i: ir . t , r.. , ,„,„14. -. !AR.. .� „_r ^ygc A T 4. r r4, The people of Oshima Island welcomes Tommy Goya and Dwayne Mukai Mr. Goya and Mr. Mukai o presented Mayor Mitsuji with a congratulatory .« message from Mayor Harry Kim and a copy of the Sister City Agreement between the County of Hawaii and the Japanese Chamber of m,. F . Commerce and Industries of Hawaii designating the JCCIH as the ' supporting community organization for Oshima island. The Agreement w � was signed by Mayor Kim, President - - Stephen Ueda of JCCIH, and Sister � • City Protocol Officer Rose Bautista. The only way to travel to Oshima ,„ '1114 tispal, Island is by ship. During this voyage, all passengers view an "' informational video on the major Izu Islands that these ships will port at. When describing Oshima Island, it - - starts with its Sister-City Relationship v 4 '' ` i -, r with the County of Hawaii. The ,k44. - e AN ,- %, video describes the beauty of 'tf L,.:- , Oshima Island but takes on theo.-Ai , $s. '' personality of a tourism promo forAa ' the Big Island with many scenic S;w. "`-- ..: pictures and video of the Big Island. { (pc: Dwayne Mukai) County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. The Honorable Aaron S.Y. Chung and Members of the County Council Sister City Annual Report 2019-2020 Page 3 NAGO CITY, OKINAWA, JAPAN Resolution No. 154, dated April 9, 1986. The supporting organization is Hui Okinawa. IN 1 I 11 ' till4 till ; IOW , ,., I 1!Lie' ,, • 1.1 ~ �5 c 9 • »i. a ,. r y a ‘00.04°... .- ''''''' " ' t , 1 i , ' 1..4,:tk:i .• ' )t.' ..'''''' y'''''' 4 - , . ,,,, .1 zx, "a a _ ....) \ r ., ., , II j ..-- \ i /' - sz i , * Nago students make a presentation about their island home to Mayor Kim and his staff August 2019 — On August 14, 2019, twelve intermediate students and two chaperones from Nago City visited Mayor Harry Kim and his staff as part of the annual student exchange. During their visit the students shared various Okinawan dances through demonstration and audience participation with the Mayor's staff. Throughout their stay in Hilo, the students participated in English lessons, hula classes, coconut leaf weaving classes, and lau kapala classes. They also spent time visiting students at Waiakea Intermediate School and St. Joseph's Elementary and High Schools where they met and made new friends. May 2020 — Nago City Mayor Taketoyo Toguchi and members of his cabinet and city assembly were scheduled to visit Hawaii to attend the 120th Anniversary of Hawaii Okinawa Immigration as well as a courtesy visit with Mayor Kim. The trip was cancelled due to the Corona Virus Disease 19 (COVID19) pandemic. County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. The Honorable Aaron S.Y. Chung and Members of the County Council Sister City Annual Report 2019-2020 Page 4 LA SERENA, CHILE Resolution No. 324-94, dated November 30, 1994. Ana Marie Maraboli Smith serves as its community representative. August 2019 This year marked the 475th Anniversary of the 1544 founding of La Serena, Chile. Mayor Kim sent a Proclamation to the people of this Sister City proclaiming the month of August 2019 as La Serena 475th Anniversary Month. On August 2, 2019, Ms. Ana Marie Maraboli Smith sent an email thanking the County of Hawaii and Mayor Kim for keeping our Sister City relationship with La Serena alive and well. YURIHAMA CITY, JAPAN — Formerly Hawai-cho Resolution No. 400-96, dated October 16, 1996. The supporting organization is the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Hawaii (JCCIH). July 2019 ,, a6.61,4tine this 20t 2 e1ro 0 d n W HAwaiielin 'Otiter5y5ycc.. T7*,-. 4,k4 ,41 riftk**' E 4k s • AVIIIMMIONUMONOMINMOMMIONIMINIONIMINIMIP Hawaii delegation surrounds "Yuririn", Yurihama's celestial maiden mascot County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. The Honorable Aaron S.Y. Chung and Members of the County Council Sister City Annual Report 2019-2020 Page 5 Mayor Masamichi Miyawaki and the town of Yurihama invited a delegation led by Community Liaison Amy Aoyagi and Sister City Protocol Officer Rose Bautista in July to celebrate Yurihama's 20th Annual Hawaiian Festival. The delegates included the Hawaiian musical group Hualapa led by Kihei Nahale-a and Kamakoa Lindsey-Asing, Hula Halau Akaunu, led by Kumu Manaiakalani Kalua, and Hawaiian recording artist Kea'o Costa. The event brought people from all across Japan to enjoy and participate in Hawaiian performances, ukulele lessons, and workshops in hula dancing and lei- making. The weekend culminated with a dynamic hula show performed by Halau Akaunu and Hualapa. The delegation also experienced the generous hospitality of Mayor Miyawaki and the people of Yurihama as they toured various places in Yurihama and its neighboring towns. The group visited a Buddhist Temple, learned to make chopsticks and loom weaving, relaxed in an onsen (Japanese public baths), played Japanese children's games with elementary school students, and developed long lasting friendship with the people of Yurihama. 4 °l s� ' g. - , a: t. ' ''''' ir '-. , ,,,,,_.. 4( -, ..1 „..._ _- , , .1 , ,,,,. ., . , „ , 0..._ ti- .....,..._ ...,.. i A ,i, P.::,'N,1%I ,,, i to' ,. -... , ... „ , * ' ,1:',, - '...1, 4. ; , { X rr e nY 6,--, ... , ' ''*'.."144*.iviri, —,-; ' ' , i . r: ° .K .v lIl*:'— i . I i : _ _ ,,, ii/1: '-71-n; Delegates learn loom weaving Halau Akaunu and Hualapa entertain hotel guests October 2019 In October 6, 2019, Yurihama town celebrated its fifteenth anniversary of the merger of the towns of Hawai, Togo, and Tomari to form the town of Yurihama. A special commemorative ceremony was planned for the event by Mayor Masamichi Miyawaki and his staff. Amy Aoyagi, Sister City Community Liaison, and Donn Mende, President of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industries of Hawaii (JCCIH) attended the ceremonies and were honored and recognized for the meaningful and positive impact our sister city relationship has had with their town. County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. The Honorable Aaron S.Y. Chung and Members of the County Council Sister City Annual Report 2019-2020 Page 6 SHIBUKAWA CITY, JAPAN (formerly Ikaho-machi) Resolution No. 16-97, dated January 27, 1997. The supporting organization is the Japanese Community Association of Hawaii (JCAH). July/August 2019 ',,,.--L:i'",,. ''',4:oik,,,kt-1,,,,iiiii401, 4,y -.. c.A i s *ti- .,,--*-, --..7. 4,,, 4.,' ,., . , s-1- ft I > wi v — : : ,,,f , ' , , le, :,„,'''' .," 07, .',A, *-4, Alit4 ) .,k A , - ,,..,..' ' ' s 21.t, '', , A i i , c ',..;,, : , . , Aik, ' f..., � 7 ti t— v. . — 7#1.,' . : '''': ',4 .r.„:„ ,,iiii i ., e = ,,_ ,,,,,,... . , , 4 ,,... le .,....._ rr (pc: Dwayne Mukai) A delegation from the County of Hawaii attended the 2019 Ikaho Hawaiian Merrie Monarch Festival held on July 30 — August 3rd. This annual event draws tens of thousands of people to Ikaho City which is located in Shibukawa, Japan. Japan Hula Halaus perform on several stages during this 5 day event. The highlight of the festival are performances by the reigning champion of the most recent Merrie Monarch Festival held in Hilo, Hawaii. The 2019 Merrie Monarch Grand Champion was the Women of Hula Halau 0' Kamuela from Oahu under the direction of Kumu Kunewa Mook and Kau'i Kamana'o. The costs associated with travel/housing, with an accompanying stipend of the visiting Hawaiian Halau, are provided by Ikaho/Shibukawa, Japan. t Representing the County of Hawaii at this event were County Council '11�� • Members Sue Lee Loy and Matt • Kaneali'i-Kleinfelder. Representing x - ,, _ 4 ,. ` 711.,. the Japanese Community -7 'L- Association of Hawaii, the ! ' -:-. . ' - '' - ) sponsoring agency of the MM t i —air ,Pa i .0''_ -' k. ,, Shibukawa Sister City relationship, 4,;: !-` ;, v were Michael Miyahira (President) °` " - !� o and (1st - !, �� Dwayne Mukai Vice- '' t �' ' �'R '- ' . President). This official Big Island delegation were accompanied with _ - many community leaders and Kalani Pe'a, Hawaii singer/ entertainer and two-time Grammy Award winner. County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. The Honorable Aaron S.Y. Chung and Members of the County Council Sister City Annual Report 2019-2020 Page 7 114 ,; 014 A'THE A�RR!E M10NA1 HAV'A1!!"t i.,,, ' - (11/ 1 ' C d i Y i� " R i' trt�� 1 4 W� ry � « R �", ° �. *�"^�° � +�.:-.--'''''7---' ' lkaho Hawaiian Merrie Monarch Festival (pc: Dwayne Mukai) Student Artwork Exchange Program The purpose of the Student Artwork Exchange Program is to enhance mutual understanding of each other's cultures and art, and to strengthen our ties even further through the exchange and display of artwork by the children of the County of Hawaii and Shibukawa City. In 2019, representing the County were students from E. B. de Silva Elementary School. Shibukawa students artwork were chosen from several schools in their district. Forty- five pieces of artwork were sent to Shibukawa, Japan and were prominently displayed at the Shibukawa Art Gallery from February 21st through March 4th. Fifty pieces of artwork from Shibukawa, Japan were received in late March. Unfortunately, due to the Coronavirus situation on the Big. Island, the artwork could not be exhibited and was returned to Japan with participaton keychains sponsored by the Japanese Community Association of Hawaii. Merrie Monarch Festival (Hilo, Hawaii) Traditionally, an official delegation representing Shibukawa, Japan attends the annual Merrie Monarch Festival and presents the winning halau with various gifts as well as an expense paid invitation to attend their "Ikaho Hawaiian Merrie Monarch Festival" later during the year. Unfortunately, due to the Coronavirus pandemic, the 2020 Merrie Monarch Festival was cancelled and, subsequently, the official delegation from Shibukawa, Japan did not visit. County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. The Honorable Aaron S.Y. Chung and Members of the County Council Sister City Annual Report 2019-2020 Page 8 SUMOTO CITY, JAPAN Resolution No. 282-00, dated August 9, 2000. The supporting organization is the Kiwanis Club of East Hawaii. August 2019 '''''''''''' '''''':4).'t 7 ' •en Ci 415itiit •; ' * t I' ' ' ' 4 trf , . .,,,., . , , . 4. ' - , , a 4 , ''':. ''''''' ,,,,,'-4 ' TN ' ,t:',.;:f4;:t,',..- ' 'f ' V'','-',4 , 4 10 - , F "' it '"' ' A. * V. '''new 'hyf `v -'. '''''''''''' °%,t.., - , ,...-Y1.,5,4 "' 1,,,, ...., - , t „.....:„. ,r, \., . .,.,,...t,,,s,..1, , ,..._., t„... '2._ ..,,k,..,,,,ar — 3,.;,,,\,_ .,,,,,,,, , **-., ...,-," ,....._ „,i ,,,,, ,,,,,, „,:.r E j �z,4� f 1 *t10 m I r t • / , t P 46 '` w ii I , , ,......\ . *—.1 d i. . 1 , ,,,,, 1 . i ( ' Iti.:.'1� f - S ' (pc: Keona Matsui) After more than a year of planning, the Sumoto City delegation of 15 students, 2 government officials and 4 Sumoto International Association members arrived in Hilo on August 21 for a five day visit to Hawaii Island. Upon arrival, the delegation visited the Mayor's Office and were met by Managing Director Wil Okabe and the Administrative staff. A welcome reception was then held at the Hawaii Japanese Center. The students were paired up with their homestay families at that time. County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. The Honorable Aaron S.Y. Chung and Members of the County Council Sister City Annual Report 2019-2020 Page 9 Sumoto students enjoy breakfast with their homestay family . ; _ lir ) hosted y Hilo High School student, Keona Matsui (front) and her family. � � �" (pc: Keona Matsui) ,)'"":J y "A": ,,,,,,, ,11:00 „, „I'll ' * ' 44* ', ,' °1', w Y ,,,,,,,:7,,t,,, n 1 x b ,,,:, On the second day, the visiting students attended school and accompanied the Hilo High School students to their various classes. After school activities included robotics, and hula lessons. The adults were escorted on a lava viewing tour of Kalapana Gardens and a Mexican Dinner at Ruben's Restaurant. On day three, the students visited Nawahiokalani'opu'u Hawaiian Immersion School and Downtown Hilo attractions. This was followed by a swimming party and cookout at the Hilo High School Pool. The adults visited West Hawaii attractions and later joined the students at school. A dinner reception hosted by members of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Hawaii followed. Day four was a long day for the host students and ', ., . , their visiting guests with x .. :Irks recreational activities at K Hapuna Beach and 'k-,- m .; Waipi'o Valley. Some ` of the adults golfed and `� � ��� � AI � ti others took in scenic 4 4Zt�Kt?U .,.t16" ak rw�' ° "9N sites. A dinner reception " .., e3 ._ , .„ for the adults followed at a* ` Restaurant Kenichi. t .� _ i . I „f, . 4f1.\474,... :,.."' :gi '''''* ''..- ,,,,, . : re'1 i ,, , Day five was a free ' s , ' activity day for studentsa= ,� and adults. (R-photo) Students Julian Nelson-Langacker, Keyna ` Wilcox, Keona Matsui, and _ " t''r,, their friends from Sumoto «` , enjoy an excursion to . ....,,- :1: „,-,---:-- - 11111: ' , , ' * 'tt''',;*.'-',.' , ,7". ,,, a . . , Waipi'o Valley. (photo courtesy of Keona Matsui) County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. The Honorable Aaron S.Y. Chung and Members of the County Council Sister City Annual Report 2019-2020 Page 10 A planning meeting was held to prepare for the 20th Anniversary Sister City Celebration in Sumoto in October 2020. The farewell dinner was held at the Hilo High School Cafeteria where reflections were presented by the students. Many tears were shed. The visiting students performed the hula and led those in attendance in their Awa Odori festive dance. Traditional omiyage was exchanged. The delegation left Hilo the next day for a two day stay to visit cultural sites on Oahu before returning to Japan. They all left Hilo with lots of omiyage. Since that time, both parties have been discussing plans for the 2020 October visit to Sumoto and the 20th Anniversary celebration of the Sister City relationship. In April 2020, both parties agreed to postpone the October 2020 visit and the 20th Anniversary celebration because of the uncertainty of the Corona Virus Pandemic. The reschedule date is tentatively set for October 2021 . This resulted in much disappointment by many who had planned on going to Sumoto as well as by Sumoto City Mayor Michihiro Takeuchi and members of Sumoto International Association. The 5, 10, and 15 year anniversary celebrations were all held in Hilo. Like Hilo, Sumoto has been fortunate to have only minor exposure to the Corona Virus but their businesses in tourism and agriculture have been significantly impacted. KUMEJIMA, OKINAWA, JAPAN Resolution NO. 42-11, dated May 17, 2011. The supporting organization is Friends of NELHA. November 2019 After much planning and coordination, the 10th Ocean Energy and Economic Development Symposium and Workshop was held on November 8-9, 2019 at the Hawaii Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority in Kona, Hawaii. Subject matter included updates on , -'-' ; OTEC, hydrogen gen and .: 6 , i -- }--: *- x , ; 1;0 " , other energy initiative s, _., :-' $ '4! government, . =--r7 • te ..jtti,,t '_ environmental and - ;,,� . .c-. ' ' education actions _ _ _ _ _-- -- y energy security, -._ - r ` resiliency and _ ' / ' . "" ) sustainability, and Deep 4. _.. Seawater economic 1 .5ye . ,, V=;V il. , ,I. opportunities for Asia, Japan andawait ,._ia, r .T. � , f44',;,',1 t. lik There were nearly 100 - --( , , --it `-"**" - participants in this ��. _. - = Okinawa-_ Hawaii Clean Energy Partnership. County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. The Honorable Aaron S.Y. Chung and Members of the County Council Sister City Annual Report 2019-2020 Page 11 The Workshop was organized by the Friends of NELHA and co-organized by Hawaii County, State of Hawaii, Okinawa Prefecture and Kumejima Town (Hawaii County's Sister City). Following the symposium, additional workshops and activities between Hawaii County and Kumejima representatives were held. Preliminary discussion took place on theme, topics, cost, date and location of the 11th Ocean Energy and Economic Development workshop. Much of the coordination was led by Candee Elsworth, Executive Director, Friends of NELHA, Kona, Hawaii and Benjamin Martin, Secretariat, Global Ocean Resources and Energy Association, Kumejima, Okinawa, Japan. Benjamin Martin and two representatives of. Kumejima government returned in February 2020 to follow up on planning considerations for a late 2020 workshop in Okinawa. Meeting were held with local government officials, industry associates and supporting Sister City friends. ,u u, +may c-RipA Arr,,,,,,,,,..,,_,....._.'^V...,,, k-Atr;,j;' '— ....,;_,-,'“' — ",--- .„....4.: ..1,14-'..,-..:1,:, wawa a. \ .\\ __ 4-xt-r ------ ,... -,..,.....-, :_. , . _____ . a. 1 s , ,_,te ...., . .........44.,,,,,,"4 _ ____ _ ...„ ,„...., ,. , - , ,, ,..,,,„ , ,z, - 't( Vil* I *.,,,,,,.. F 1 _tri -...-d. ,i ,r ' ^t . it 4: , `4" r.„'.^. .,, . a s 4-Arne ?tea, fr ..+ri , ,.. -`",, " A Annual student exchange with Konawaena students August 2019 - Three (3) students from Kumejima participated in the annual Konawaena High School Ocean Technology Student Exchange Program. The program allows students to explore Hawaii OTEC (Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion) to further their knowledge and to gain experience in the Hawaiian culture and scientific breakthroughs available here on Hawai'i Island. The Kumejima student were hosted by local families where they also experienced local lifestyle, Hawaiian culture, multi-ethnic food and more. October 2019 — Three (3) students from Konawaena High School travelled to Kumejima to participate in the annual STEM program. Similar to their counterpart, the Hawaii students also stayed with host families to experience the culture and lifestyle of the people of Okinawa. County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. The Honorable Aaron S.Y. Chung and Members of the County Council Sister City Annual Report 2019-2020 Page 12 ORMOC, PHILIPPINES Resolution No. 77-11, dated June 15, 2011. The supporting organization is the Congress of Visayan Organizations — Kona Visayan Club and Hilo Visayan Club (COVO). (no activity) GOKSEONG COUNTY, SOUTH KOREA Resolution No. 138-11, dated September 21, 2011. The supporting organizations are Hawaii Natural Farming, LLC, Cho Global Natural Farming-Hawai'i, Big Island Korean Club, Hilo Korean Christian Church. Kohala Intergenerational Center, Hawaii FFA Foundation and University of the Nations. (no activity) LA REUNION, FRANCE Resolution 197-12, dated January 4, 2012. The supporting entity is goodwill ambassadors and liaisons, Alain and Marie Gerente. 1,L (no activity) CABUGAO, (LOCOS SUR, PHILIPPINES Resolution No. 228-17, dated July 7, 2017. The supporting organization is the Big Island Filipino Community Council (BIFCC). February 2020 t , IL ' _____:-----,--q tr--- i 1 Jr - _ _, - , ____,.....1 A l Alf t , _......_ ,:_.,, .....-a..1 I vompeof - - '';',..,,....,—4,21!irr_jaPot...iddle,,,,,,,,,,,'t . County of Hawai'i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. The Honorable Aaron S.Y. Chung and Members of the County Council Sister City Annual Report 2019-2020 Page 13 On February 6-12, 2020, twelve delegates journeyed to Port Salomague, Cabugao, led by Councilmember Valerie Poindexter and Sister City Protocol Officer Rose Bautista. They were joined by leaders of the Filipino community and members of the Big Island Filipino Community Council (BIFCC) including Romel Dela Cruz, Melba Daak, Cecelia Dalere, Myrna Baptista, Frank Salamanca, Iris Viacrusis, Marites Kano, UH Student Jojo Balagot, and Tyler Dos Santos Tam of Honolulu. Mayor Edgardo S. Cobangbang,Jr. and his staff hosted the delegates to a week full of activities and continued dialogue on maintaining a strong sister city relationship between our respective municipalities. The week began with a welcome celebration at Port Salomague, the place where Sakadas (contract workers) departed to begin work in Af Hawaii's sugar plantations. .;. :. .. _ Students from the nearby elementaryschooI entertained the delegates with beautiful Filipino folksongs handmade accompanied with ' bamboo and steel instruments �"- they constructed themselves. (L —photo) Delegates in front of the t 4 - iconic Sakada statue at Port ¢ Salomague �' ,; errµ te ,"*4....; The delegates also toured the new Sakada museum located at Port Salomague which housed a collection of artifacts and photos from several plantations camps on Hawaii Island ..,.. .. 010 including camps in Kaiwiki (Hilo) and41.�R NEW SRA Pa'auhau.(Hamakua). DEMiID �: ' FiSON*L . (R—photo) Councilmember Valerie Poindexter and ,r; Romel Dela Cruz inside the Sakada Museum ` . . County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. The Honorable Aaron S.Y. Chung and Members of the County Council Sister City Annual Report 2019-2020 Page 14 '� , - , - .<\ There were several } } -; 0.7 highlights of the trip. R �A K - 4 ". . , . Top on the list was a 4 visit to Council- � � - - y.14,..,:,,,,,,N-r).. member Valerie .y: Poindexter's .„ .- m - newly found Sakada a ;< - _r family in Gonzaga, Cagayan Province, F " ` Philippines. It was the first time Ms. �F Y Poindexter would . i*. +►' , , ...W meet the family of r .,,„4/4it,,,,, her mother'shalf sibling who was left in the Philippines by � their Sakada father. -,, The meeting was extremely emotional for Ms.Poindexter and for the entire 41, delegation ..,-:,„,„.4'.- +„ ;--r r u 5 Above photo: Councilmember Valerie Poindexter and members of her family in Gonzaga, Cagayan) Another major highlight of the trip was the presentation of approximately 300 books � � �It f�= pp y ' donated to Cabugao National t High School for their libraryII ... ., ...A . collection. The books were .. , ;, ,, donated by members of the , _ii . „ �, `` •, _ it delegation and sent prior to their . ' arrival. This book donation effort Al � � Y � 1 w is one of several projects � iiiiir101 f *). ..„...,,, � ��� adopted by the Cabugao sister r ' �.� , city program to assist with :'��a '►� - � - ' '..0 Itat • improving the provincial schools `, .. , , ,> .. 4 „, ,`. °, . library inventory. The students showed their gratitude by , , - performing traditional as well as '� modern Filipino songs and .g.M . , dances for their Hawaii guests. Hawaii delegates with students of Cabugao National High School County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. . The Honorable Aaron S.Y. Chung and Members of the County Council Sister City Annual Report 2019-2020 Page 15 The delegation also met with the administration, staff, faculty and students of the University of Northern Philippines (UNP), led by Dr. Antonio Agustin, Vice President For Finance and Administration. Dr Agustin and the delegates vowed to continue efforts to develop a student exchange program with UNP and the University of Hawaii at Hilo and Hawaii Community College. The Hawaii delegation also presented UNP with the first installment of photos for the University's Sakada collection. The photographs were donated by Mr. Romel Dela Cruz, a descendant of a Sakada. The 2019 trip to Cabugao, (locos Norte, Philippines proved to be extremely productive and memorable for the delegates. As luck would have it, the group, except for one delegate, were fortunate to return home to Hawaii just a few days before the Philippines declared a national lockdown due to the COVIDI9 pandemic and closed all of its airports indefinitely. CONCLUSION The Corona virus Disease 2019 pandemic affected all facets of life including the sister city activities. We hope to resume our student and cultural exchange programs as soon as it is safe to do so. There are currently 11 Sister Cities with the County of Hawai'i. The economic, cultural and educational exchange that Sister City relationships provide are invaluable to the people of our island, as well as to our Sister Cities abroad. Mahalo for your continued support and participation in this program.Ott ' 0R-:•-.tfully submitted, i.-- -'1.1.V pt/0-.%,......._ Tose . B.,utista Executive Assistant to Mayor Harry Kim Sister City Protocol Officer Note: The Office of the Mayor would like to acknowledge and thank Councilmember Matt Kaneali'i- Kleinfelder, Mr. Dwayne Mukai, Mr. Tommy Goya, and Keona Matsui for contributing to this report. County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.