In January 2017, the Celebration of the 35th Fukuoka-Hawaii Sister State Relationship was held in Hawaii. The Governor of Fukuoka, Mr. Ogawa as well as the Chairman of Fukuoka Prefectural Assembly, Mr. Nakao and the members of the Fukuoka Prefectural delegation visited Hawaii. They attended the opening of the Hawaii State Legislature, receptions at Washington Place and the Consulate-General of Japan in Honolulu, luncheon held by the Hawaii Fukuoka Kenjin Kai and many other events. Hawaii Global Education Foundation (HGEF) was entrusted by Fukuoka to be the one to bridge the gap between Hawaii and Fukuoka by assisting coordination and interpretation for events.
In 1885, the people from Fukuoka immigrated to Hawaii and it was the first time that they had set foot on a foreign land. Mr. Ogawa also made a speech that in 1981, both states formed a sister state relationship for the first time in Hawaii and have continued to hold exchanges in culture, education, economics and many other fields.
As the new generations living in Hawaii, we will assist to further develop our relationship with Fukuoka and create a new era of global citizens here in Hawaii.