Maui Mayor Richard Bissen will travel to Japan on Monday for the "Kibou for Maui" project, aimed at supporting disaster recovery efforts. He will meet with experts from the Tohoku region, which has learned valuable lessons from the 2011 earthquake and tsunami. A group, including youth from Lahainaluna High School, will join the mayor to help strengthen their community's resilience after the Lahaina wildfires, as reported by the County of Maui.
The trip will include educational tours and speaking events hosted by the US-Japan Council. Funding comes from a grant from Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This exchange aims to strengthen ties between Maui and Japan. According to County of Maui, the project seeks "to engage, inspire and empower Maui leaders and youth impacted by the Lahaina wildfires to lead the long-term physical, mental, and spiritual recovery of their community."
While Mayor Bissen is in Japan from Monday until November 1, Managing Director Josiah Nishita will serve as acting mayor. Nishita will manage municipal operations until Bissen returns from his trip, as mentioned by the County of Maui.
