Honolulu Day 2019

To celebrate 60 years of sister city relations between Hiroshima and Honolulu, Honolulu Day 2019 was a huge celebration held at JMS Aster Plaza on November 15, 2019, with guests such as Roy Amemiya (managing director of the City and County of Honolulu) and Celia Thompson (Consular Chief of the US Consulate General Osaka-Kobe).

Speeches were given by Yamamoto Kazutaka (Chair of the Honolulu Day Executive Committee) and Hiroshima Mayor Matsui Kazumi, followed by Mr. Amemiya and Ms. Thompson. Afterwards, Hiroshima Messengers Moriwaki Toru and Kimura Rumi gave a brief presentation about Honolulu, the goodwill trip to Honolulu celebrating 60 years of sister city relations, and the native Hawaiian language, giving visitors a chance to learn more about the long history of exchange between Hiroshima and Honolulu.

During the performance part of the evening, a Hiroshima-based Hawaiian band and hula dance groups gave performances, followed by a performance by Honolulu-based steel guitarist, Jeff Au Hoy. Through song and dance, the audience was transported to sunny Hawaii, culminating with a group performance by Mr. Au Hoy and 60 hula dancers that brought the evening to a rousing close.

A panel presentation outlining the 60 years of history between the two cities, as well as the life of Japanese immigrants in Hawaii, was held in the lobby hall. There was also an exhibit of Hawaiian goods and a small shop where visitors could buy products such as colorful Hawaiian shirts.

With a total of approximately 400 visitors, the event helped to facilitate further understanding of Honolulu and Hawaii.

Photos from Honolulu Day 2019