Kaua‘i, Suo Oshima sister city reaffirmation ceremony held Thursday
LĪHUʻE – A special ceremony was held last week Thursday at the Kaua‘i War Memorial Convention Hall, to reaffirm the resolution between Kaua‘i County and Suo Oshima, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan, as affiliated sister cities. This year also marks the 60th anniversary since Kaua‘i County and Suo Oshima established a sister city relationship which was signed in June 1963.
The reaffirmation resolution was signed by Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami and the Mayor of Suo Oshima, Mayor Kiyotaka Fujimoto.
“The relationship between Japan and Hawai‘i is an integral part of our state’s historic, cultural, and economic well-being – just look at our food, our customs, and our people,” said Mayor Kawakami. “Through our 60 years of friendship, we have come to share a mutual understanding of each other’s government, economy, agriculture, tourism, and community. And as we celebrate together this milestone, we continue our promise to pass along our customs with the next generation, keeping both Japan and Hawai‘i culture and tradition alive.”
Thursday’s program included performances by Azuma Dance Group, Kumu Hula Troy Hinano Lazaro, Lezlie Leinaala Yaris, Kaua‘i Shin Buyo Kai, and Hawaiian slack key music by Paul Togioka.
A delegation of nine traveled from Suo Oshima to Kaua‘i for this occasion, including Suo Oshima Mayor Kiyotaka Fujimoto, President of Suo Oshima County Council Masayoshi Arakawa, President of Suo Oshima International Cultural Association Takumi Shiiki, Superintendent of Suo Oshima Department of Education Tomohiro Hoshino, Chairperson of Suo Oshima International Cultural Association Motoi Yoshimura, Director of Tourism Bureau Kouichi Yamasaki, Suo Oshima County Council Member Kensuke Nitta, and Suo Oshima County Staff members Yoshihiro Suetake and Momoe Kitakawa. Local dignitaries, government officials, and county associates were also in attendance.
“It is also a great honor and pleasure for me to be here today to sign the reaffirmation of our exchange for the future,” said Mayor Fujimoto. “In August of this year, the 60th anniversary year, we were able to fulfill a long-held wish and implement a two-week short-term study abroad program for high school students from Suo Oshima Town on Kaua‘i. In January of next year, we will also be implementing a project to visit Hawai‘i under Yamaguchi Prefecture’s ‘Eastern Region Global and Local Human Resource Development Project.’ With these efforts as a foundation, we intend to connect the history of our exchange to the next generation and to further strengthen the ties between our sister islands.”
Art and Michiru Umezu served as interpreters for the Japanese-speaking participants, and emceed the event which was hosted by the county’s Office of Economic Development.
Thursday’s signing displays a mutual reaffirmation that will contribute to the future prosperity of both Kaua‘i and Suo Oshima by fostering and enhancing friendship, respect, and trust between citizens.
 
Mayor Fujimoto (sitting on the left) and Mayor Kawakami sign a resolution to reaffirm the sister city relationship between Kaua‘i County and Suo Oshima.
From left to right: President of Suo Oshima County Council Masayoshi Arakawa, Mayor Kiyotaka Fujimoto, Mayor Derek Kawakami, Kaua‘i County Council Chair Mel Rapozo.
During the ceremony, Mayor Kawakami gave Mayor Fujimoto a custom artwork representing both Kaua‘i and Suo Oshima, made by Todd Ozaki.
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