The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutCOM 0366.000 2020-2022 ! Lee E.Lord } {AK Managing Director Mitchell D.Roth Y Ma or Robert H.Command F,a1P Deputy Managing Director X.11.0UUN of C1,431uni`t (of irr of f r AUpr 25 Aupuni Street,Suite 2603 • Hilo,Hawaii 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 July 30, 2021 The Honorable Maile David and Members of the Hawai'i County Council County of Hawai'i Hilo, Hawai'i 96720 Re: Sister City Annual Report 2020-2021 Dear Chair David and Council Members, I am submitting this report 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 Cities activities from July 1 through June 30. Maintaining sister city relationships can be difficult and the ongoing COVID-19 global pandemic which has restricted international travel and normal work habits, has made it more challenging. However, this pandemic has also presented us with new ways and new tools to connect with each other. Technology has afforded us with exciting opportunities to engage and interact with our sister cities in more meaningful ways. Our Sister City relationships have always been integral to our identity, diversity, and vibrancy here on Hawai'i Island and Mayor Roth is committed to maintaining and further strengthening our sister city alliances. Mahalo for your continued support and participation in our sister city program, Submitted respectfully, Jae Clement xe utive Assistant to Mayor Mitch Roth Siste City Protocol Officer Comm. N Ref. To: v Ref. Date AUG 1 2021 County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. s ��. r • loor AmO I ANNUAL REPORT _f HAWAII COUNTY SISTER CITIES I A N114" n; WWW . HAWAIICOUNTY . GOV 25 AUPUNI ST. 8o8 - 323 -4441 MAYOR' S MESSAGE Aloha! Our Sister City relationships have always been integral to our identity, diversity, and vibrancy here on Hawaii Island. Yet, amidst a global pandemic, they have become so much more than that They, instead, have become a symbol of hope. A symbol of togetherness and solidarity. A symbol of aloha and the spirit that binds us The COVID-ig pandemic has proven just how close we all are and reminded us that we are all one 'ohana As we begin our island's recovery from the COVID-lg pandemic, let us not forget to look to our Sister Cities to seek solutions, examples, and understanding. To discuss with each other our failures while celebrating our successes To talk about what brings us together while showcasing what makes us unique. There is no one right way for us to reopen and return to "normal," but there is a way for us not to do it alone. So, I would like to challenge our county to remember that, although we are located on the most isolated landmass in the world, we can draw upon the ideas and experiences of France, Chile, Japan, Korea, and the Philippines to find global solutions for our local problems. By leveraging our relationships and working with one another, we can and will return to a thriving and vibrant Hawaii Island - faster and more prepared. Together we are stronger and more resilient. Together we are Sister cities. Mahalo, Mitch D Roth Mayor County of Hawaii r ;•- , ' ^� ` ' Promote friendship, goodwill, and .,, •. understanding between global communities by providing ' -. opportunities for the residents of t L ' ' Z ; 1 IN Hawaii Island and our sister cities to experience different cultures through education, social and economic interaction. ` " OBJECTIVES: 4 Provide opportunities for local government, business leaders, and ' the wider community to experience and explore other cultures through Long-term community partnerships. ' Promote and develop economic, trade, cultural, educational, t. technical, social, and other beneficial exchanges. ti ' :16r' Foster international understanding and the exchange of information. Jr ri The County of HawaiTs new sister-city logo is a representation of all that connects us. Bound by a triangle, the strongest and most durable shape, are varying mountain peaks representing the unique and distinct differences between our homelands. Though different in appearance, the peaks are all part of the same mountain - much like our cities and counties. Together we make up a global network of partnership and collaboration that will exist far past our time and be revered far longer. Though the sun rises in the East and sets in the West, it is the same sun felt by each of us. A constant reminder of our connection and shared purpose. As we continue to solve the problems of our home, let us remember that we are not alone. We are connected as siblings, as one 'ohana (family). Forever we will be sister-cities. HISTORY The U.S. sister city program formally began in 1956 when President Dwight D. Eisenhower proposed a people-to-people citizen diplomacy initiative. It was originally a program of the National League of Cities, and Sister Cities International became a separate corporation in 1967 due to the growth and popularity of the U.S. program. ESTABLISHMENT PROCESS Article 31, Section 2 of the Hawaii County Code institutes the criteria and formal procedures for forming a sister city relationship. It states the County of Hawai'i may consider the establishment of a sister city relationship with a city or county that: • shares a historical, cultural, or ethnic relationship with the people of our county; • offers reciprocating educational, technological, or economic benefits, including special knowledge, know-how, or expertise that is beneficial to our businesses, industries, and labor force; • is similar in population size or character, which makes for analogous problems and concerns and the opportunity to exchange meaningful ideas and applicable solutions for either or both places or; • recognizes other common bonds that are mutually beneficial to the citizens of both places and serves as a liaison for exchanging information and other Lifestyle and practical values. A sister city relationship is established by adopting a council resolution and the signing of a formal agreement between the mayor of the County of Hawaii and the appropriate public official of the proposed sister city that ties exist. CONNECTING TO THE WORLD HAWAII COUNTY'S 11 SISTER CITIES ACROSS THE PACIFIC AND BEYOND Kumejima, Japan Shibukawa,Japan Yurihama,Japan September 2011 January 1997 October 1996 Sumoto, Japan August 2000 Nago,Japan _................_............................... ................................................................................................... ...::... • April 1986 .............� �• ......................... :• Gokseong, Korea ............................................... September 2011 • • Oshima,Japan February1962 La Serena, Chile Noveber 1994 Cabugao City, Philippines July 2017 La Reunion, France January 2012 Ormoc City, Philippines September 2011 CONNECTING TO THE WORLD HAWAII COUNTY'S 11 SISTER CITIES ACROSS THE PACIFIC AND BEYOND OSHIMA,JAPAN NAGO CITY, OKINAWA,JAPAN Izu, Oshima, which means "Big Island", The first place in Japan where the r, is home to waterfalls, valleys, black cherry blossoms bloom, and home to a sand beaches, hot springs and Mt. Cherry Blossom Festival similar to Mihara, an active volcano standing at Waimea's.Teams from Nago participate 2, 507 feet. 13 in Hilos annual Haari Boat Race. YURIHAMA,JAPAN LA SERENA,CHILE A Hawaiian fetival takes place every La Serena is the second oldest city in July with hula halau form all over Japan Chile and is home to the southern Hawaii. Also, students from Yurihama twin telescope of Mauna Kea's Gemini and Hilo Intermediate School participate '° North. El in an annual student exchange. SHIBUKAWA,JAPAN ORMOC CITY, PHILIPPNES Just as Mauna Kea is considered the •. Ormoc hosts the biggest geothermal piko of the Pacific, Shibukawa is the plant in Southeast Asia. The city enjoys bellybutton of Japan.The annual Ikaho -_ economic growth because it supplies a Hawaiian festival features winning large part of the country's power needs halau from Hilo's Merrie Monarch, with its abundant geothermal power resources. LA REUNION SUMOTO,JAPAN \ a French island located east of Students from Sumoto and Hilo High Madagascar, Reunion's environment is School have participated in a student both unique and similar to Hawaii exchange every summer since 2000. island. Like KZauea, their Piton de la Sumoto City is famous for its Kobe Fournaise volcano is a World Heritage beef, Naruto oranges and Awaji onions. Site. GOKSEONG,SOUTH KOREA SG Cq CABUGAO,PHILIPPINES Gokseong is the center of nature- SG The Salomague Port in Cabugao was friendly agriculture devoted tothe place of departure for over l00 resotring the environment. A Mountain ; OSakadas (migrant workers) destined View piggery was the first to adopt thes gJ� to work in the sugarcane fields of Korean Natural Faming methods in the Hawaii in the 1930's-40's. U.S. KUMEJIMA,JAPAN Kumejima has a deep-sea water pipe like the Kona's Natural Energy Lab, and the development of ocean thermal 0 energy conversion there occured in tandem with similar development here. SISTER CITIES ACTIVITIES AUGUST 2020 ..................................................................................................................................................................................... • Sumoto and Hawai'i County celebrated its 20th anniversary of the sisteram -city relationship. Mayor _ Ir _ Michihiro Takeuchi sent a video greeting to i commemorate the event. C DECEM.B..ER. 2020 r � • Mayor Roth received letters of congratulations 1" ANRA from Oshima Island mayor Toshihiro Mitsuji, Sumoto City mayor Michihiro Takeuchi and Attendees to the online"Hawai'iOkinawa Clean Energy Workshop" Kumejima Mayor Haruo Ota. included representatives from Kumejima and Candee Ellsworth, Executive Director for KeaholeCenter for Sustainability Kumejima hosted an informal online year-end A A A , meet-up between friends in Hawaii County and MopilL Kumejima on December 19, 2020. 14-NlYfU �[ WWII" ",Ww..,,.� �.UttU S11o7o •-1 JAM UARY 2 0 21 ............. ................................................................................................................................................. ... . . . ............... • -Okinawa Prefecture hosted a virtual Workshop With the broader theme "Hawai'i Okinawa Clean Energy 'nouio(Sumototuv� _ - Workshop," from January to February 2021, The Mich;iliir`'o yTakeuchi .,�" _ ,__._ ___.•__,._ � _ � : online format included pre-recorded presentations Screenshot of Sumoto Mayor Takeuchi's video message and real-time discussions. As in the past, to the people of Hawaii island. participants from Hawaii County, such as HATCH, HNEI, and Keahole Center for Sustainability, and i Kumejima Town, presented on various energy- related topics. •Shibukawa, Japan, virtually participated in the Japanese Community Association of Hawaii's 46th Annual Shinnenkai and Installation of Officers and Directors on January 27, 2021. •Mayor Roth received a congratulatory letter from Virtual meeting with sister city protocol officer Jane Clement and Yurihama mayor Masamichi Miyawaki. representatives from Nago.Japan.Noriko Sauer from West Hawaii Planning Dept.helped with translation and interpretation. MAl�CH 2021........................................_....._............._..... ..............................................._............1........... ` N _ Hawaii County renewed its membership with Sister City International, Sister Cities International (SCI) is a � a nonprofit citizen diplomacy network that creates and strengthens partnerships between -_� communities in the United States and those in VIA other countries, particularly through the establishment of'sister cities.' Screenshot of Mayor Roth's video message to the people of Nago City,Japan APRIL 2021 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... • Mayor Roth delivered a video message to Mayor Taketoyo Toguchi and the people of Nago City to , commemorate the 35th anniversary of the Hawaii County and Nago City sister-city relationship. • Revamped the sister-city page on the County's r F Website to include timely and relevant information. • Mayor Roth received a congratulatory letter from Ormoc City mayor Richard Gomez. • Began planning for the first annual sister-city ' virtual concert. Hawaii County-Japan sister cities Reaffirmation Signing Ceremony Front:Aaron Chung,Candee Ellsworth,Art Taniguchi,Maile David,Jane Clement,Robert KanGoya, Mayor MAY 2021 Back:Lee Lord,Ross Birch,Tommy Goya.Mayor Mitch Roth,Bobby ..................................................................................................................................................................................... Command,Dwayne Mukai,Doug Adams • Invited the Hawaii County-Japan sister cities host 'F �T organizations to a Reaffirmation Signing Ceremony on May 10, 2021. Hawaii County has six sister- •i r cities in Japan and is supported by five local +;e organizations. They are the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industries of Hawaii, the Japanese I Association of Hawaii, the Kiwanis Club of East Hawaii, Hui Okinawa, and the KeaohoLe Center for Sustainability. -Received a copy of Sumoto Mayor Michihiro Virtual meeting with sister city protocol officer Jane Clement and • representatives from Sumoto.Japan.Noriko Sauer from West Hawaii Takeuchi's Letter to the Kiwanis Club of East Hawaii Planning Dept.helped with translation and interpretation. acknowledging the cancellation of the scheduled - October 2021 student exchange visit to Sumoto due 1woo, r� to the ongoing COVID-1g pandemic. • Hosted meet and greet virtual meetings via zoom i � with representatives from Ormoc City, Kumejima, Nago City, and Oshima Island, JUNE 2021 � , ............................................................................................_....................................................................................... • Completed the creation of 'Sending ALoha,' an Virtual meeting with sister city protocol officer Jane Clement original song composed by Local musician Brandon and representatives from La Serena.Chile Nakano made especially for the sister-city virtual concert. • -Started filming and production of 'A Whole New 1 d� World,' Hawai'i County's first annual sister-city �- d virtual concert, a • Mayor Roth received a congratulatory Letter from 1 3 m_ Wb t. ' Cabugao mayor Edgardo Cobangbang, Jr. R • Hosted a meet and greet virtual meeting with government representatives from La Serena, Chile, Virtual meeting with sister city protocol officer Jane Clement and and Cabugao City, Philippines. representatives from Ormoc City,Philippines VIRTUAL CONCERT SPECIAL SCREENING "A Whole New World" is Hawaii County's first-ever sister city virtual concert. This event is created as a way to reconnect with our sister cities and to share messages of hope and aloha as we continue to face the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic together. The full cooperation we received from our sister cities in the creation of this event is a testament to the strength of our relationships and our commitment to each other. A special in-person and online screening of this virtual concert is scheduled for July 26, 2021, from 5:30 pm to 8:oo pm at the Wainaku Executive Center. Invited guests will include representatives from sister cities, host organizations, the County Council, and other special guests. INSTALLATION OF SISTER-CITY DISPLAY CASES AT KONA AND HILO AIRPORT Hawai'i County received approval from Hawaii Airport District Manager Chauncey Wong Yuen to install a free-standing or a wall-mounted display case in the new Federal Inspection Station at the Kona airport and in the departure lounge at the Hilo Airport to showcase Hawaii County's sister cities. The display will include curated items that Hawaii County received from its sister cities as gifts/omiyage over the years and information about each of the sister cities. Students' artwork from the sister city art exchange program may also be showcased. SISTER CITY ANNIVERSARY - COMMEMORATIONS Initial planning is underway to commemorate the anniversary of the sister city relationship between Hawaii County and the following sister cities: Kumejima, Japan - 10 years, September 2021 Ormoc City, Philippines - 10 years, September 2021 Oshima, Japan - 6o years, January 2022