HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 1059.001 2014-2016 PI Cruoen_
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Murashige, Laura ����� 10
From: Wessel, Leinani on behalf of Kanuha, Dru
Sent: Monday, October 03, 2016 8:52 AM
To: Murashige, Laura
Subject: FW: Support for Sister City Sumoto
Attachments: Sumoto Funding Support Testimony 2016 Il.doc;ATT00001.txt
Leinani Wessel '
Council Aide to Councilman Dru Kanuha ter-;'
Hawaii County Council %Si
District 7=Central Kona ?!
(808)323-4268 n'
lwessel@hawaiicounty.gov
Original Message
From:Thomas Goya [mailto:tommygoya@hawaii.rr.com]
Sent: Saturday, October 01, 2016 11:33 AM
To: Kanuha, Dru <Dru.Kanuha@hawaiicounty.gov>; Onishi, Dennis<Dennis.Onishi@hawaiicounty.gov>; Chung,Aaron
<Aaron.Chung@hawaiicounty.gov>
Cc: Charlene Masuhara<chmasuhara@gmail.com>
Subject: Support for Sister City Sumoto
Dru, Fresh and Aaron,
Attached is my testimony to support the non-travel financial assistance to the Hilo High School Key Club's visit to the
County of Hawaii's Sister City, Sumoto City,Japan. Unfortunately, I will not be there to support the Resolution in person
as we will already be on our way to Japan when the funding comes up for consideration on October 5th. I really
appreciate your interest and support for the Sister City Programs and look forward to your continued involvement. As
you have experienced yourself,the student educational exchange program is a vital link to establishing long term
benefits for our youth and local economy.
A signed copy will be provided to the County Clerk on Monday. If you have any questions I would be glad to provide
additional information.
Mahalo,Tommy Goya
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October 5, 2016
Resolution 651-16
Testimony before the Hawaii County Council
Subject: Grant to the Hilo High School Foundation to be used for the Hilo
High School Key Club Student Educational Exchange Program
Purpose: To help defray non-travel expenses related to the October 2016
visit to the County of Hawaii's Sister City of Sumoto City, Japan
Chair Kanuha, Vice Chair Pointdexter, Council Member Onishi and other members of the
Hawaii County Council. Good Morning and Aloha.
My name is Tommy Goya. I am a 38-year member of the Kiwanis Club of East Hawaii
and 25-year advisor for the Hilo High School Key Club. I am presenting background
information to support Resolution 651-16, Reference Communication 1059, regarding an
appropriation of$865 out and from a designated fund account to the Hilo High School
Foundation. The funds will be used to help defray non-travel expenses related to the Hilo
High School Key Club's visit to the Hawaii County's Sister City, Sumoto, Japan.
Sumoto City with a population of 50,000 is the largest city on Awaji Island, Hyogo
Prefecture. The two nearest large cities are Kobe and Osaka. The economy of the Island
is primarily agriculture, fishing and tourism. The Island has many sandy beaches, a
country setting,temples and shrines, flower gardens, and hot springs resorts.
Students from Sumoto have visited Hilo for many years and have enjoyed their home-
stay with local families, attended our schools and were amazed with our beautiful island
home and its rich mix of cultures. Students from Hilo High School Key Club have
visited Sumoto and other areas of Japan in 2007, 2009, 2011 and 2014. The October 5 -
14, 2016 trip will include student homestay for four days in Sumoto on Awaji Island, and
visits to historic Shikoku Island,the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, Hemiji Castle,
Kyoto and Osaka.
For many months, the 16 Hilo High School Key Club members under the supervision of
the East Hawaii Kiwanis Club and school advisor, Charlene Masuhara, have been busy
fundraising and preparing for this year's October trip. Many hours have been spent
learning about Sumoto and the culture of the Japanese people as well as brushing up on
their own family backgrounds and the Hawaiian culture. As ambassadors from Hawaii,
they all learn to sing Hawaiian songs and dance the hula, which will be taught to the
Sumoto High School students.
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Our students benefit by being exposed to international travel, learn about different
cultures, and develop self-confidence. While traveling abroad,they know that they
represent their families, their school, their community, our state and our nation.
Unlike Hawaii, the Sumoto Department of Education comes under the jurisdiction of the
local Sumoto City government. English is taught as a second language in their middle
schools. The Sumoto Government fully supports the Student Educational Exchange
Program through its Sister City relationship with Hawaii County.
In 2000, then Mayors Steven Yamashiro of Hawaii County and Keiichi Nakagawa of
Sumoto City established the Sister City relationship. Mayors Billy Kenoi of Hawaii
County and Michihiro Takeuchi of Sumoto City renewed and reaffirmed the general
agreement in 2010. Included in the ceremony was the signing of an updated agreement
between the County of Hawaii and the Kiwanis Club of East Hawaii, the local host
organization as affirmed by then Mayor Harry Kim in 2004. The Floral Shippers of
Hawaii served as the local host organization from 2000-2004.
In August 2015, a Tree Planting Ceremony at Liliuokalani Gardens commemorated the
fifteenth year anniversary of the original Sister City Agreement. Sumoto City Mayor
Michihiro Takeuchi was very impressed with the warm aloha during his visits to Hilo in
2010 and 2015 and vowed to be back in 2020. Mayor Takeuchi and their Council
members have expressed a strong interest in furthering the Sister City relationship with
Hawaii County, be it economic, cultural or educational.
Sumoto International Association(their Chamber of Commerce) acts as their host
organization. Their memberships represent a cross section of their Island's business
community. They too have visited Hilo many times and have accompanied their students
on many of the Hilo activities. And through these visits, many bonds of friendship have
been established.
I am sorry that I am unable to be present at today's Council meeting to answer any
questions that you may have regarding one of the County of Hawaii's six Sister Cities in
Japan. Coincidentally at the time of your meeting, we will already be on our way to
Japan with our 16 students from the Hilo High School Key Club.
We appreciate your continued support for these Student Educational Exchange Programs.
Mahalo for this opportunity to provide you with this background information.
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