Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami of Kaua‘i returned recently from an eventful sister city visit to Japan, where he and his delegation engaged in a series of cultural and diplomatic exchanges. The visit, spanning from July 20 to July 28, focused on strengthening ties with Kaua‘i's Japanese counterparts through educational, cultural, and economic collaboration. "Traveling through Japan and engaging directly with our Sister City communities was both humbling and energizing," Mayor Kawakami was quoted as saying in a statement obtained by Kaua‘i County Press Releases.
The delegation began their trip with a courtesy visit to Mimasaka on July 21, where they were received by Mayor Seiji Hagiwara and then participated in a variety of events including a kendo exhibition and a trip to Berupiru Nature Park, Mayor Kawakami also took part in a Sister City signing ceremony which signified the first Sister City relationship established during his term as Mayor. Efforts like these underscore a continued commitment to global unity and the celebration of international friendship. The delegation later toured Moriyama, where Kawakami joined Mayor Takafumi Morinaka to commemorate the 50th anniversary of their Sister City relationship. In Moriyama, the delegation's schedule was packed with activities such as exploring the Ohminchi Farmers Cooperative Market and giving talks at the new city library, which also included hula dance workshops.
In the historically tied Suō-Ōshima, the delegation's trip coincided with the Sata Hula Festival, which provided a unique opportunity for cultural exchange, this visit also included a tour to the Museum of Japanese Emigration to Hawai‘i where the delegation reflected on the influence of Japanese immigrants in Hawai‘i's history. "Seeing residents here dance hula with such respect and joy filled me with gratitude," Mayor Kawakami told the Kaua‘i County Press Releases regarding the festival in Suō-Ōshima.
