Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Sister Cities

Aloha!


Welcome back to

W A I K I K I

!


click on photos to enlarge! "You can kid the world. But not your sister."
Charlotte Gray



The Royal Hawaiian Hotel beckons.


"A sister smiles when one tells one's stories - for she knows where the decoration has been added."
Chris Montaigne




Punchbowl Crater stands sentinel behind Royal Elementary School

"I know my older sister loves me because she gives me all her old clothes and has to go out and buy new ones."
Attributed to a 4-year-old named Lauren


"In the cookies of life, sisters are the chocolate chips."
Anonymous





Honolulu and Hiroshima are celebrating 50 years as Sister Cities!

The two municipalities have been sibling cities since June 15, 1959; It is a relationship that began with the "People to People Program" of President Dwight Eisenhower, promoting peace and mutual understanding.




A delegation from Hiroshima was in our town recently to observe the anniversary.

"5o years of friendship have built reciprocal tourism and economic opportunities," said Wayne Miyao, president of Honolulu Hiroshima Kenjin Kai and chairman of Hiroshima Hawaii Sister State Committee.

"World War II started in the Pacific in Hawaii with Pearl Harbor and ended in Hiroshima tragically. We are forever linked in war; so we should be linked in peace and in business and culture," said Miyao, a Big Island (Hawaii) resident who traces his ancestral roots to Okinawa.

The recent three-day visit by Hiroshima's 40-plus member delegation concluded at Honolulu City Hall with a signing ceremony renewing the relationship. Hiroshima's tourism division also hosted an exhibit at Windward Mall and entertained at Ala Moana Center.

This highly publicized visit by Hiroshima Mayor Tadatoshi Akiba and his delegation, followed by a stopover by the Japanese emperor himself, should help encourage Japanese travelers to visit the islands.

"There's a lot of caution being exercised by Japanese visitors due to the economy and swine flu," Honolulu's Mayor Hannemann said. "Having high-ranking Japanese visitors come to our city helps dispel concerns."

Honolulu is to send our own delegation to Japan in November, when that city celebrates "Honolulu Day."


Hiroshima is planning a "winter-wonderland" experience during this historic year, said Daisuke Yano, director of Hiroshima's Tourism Division, who was in our town for the observance.

"Since Honolulu does not have the winter season, Hiroshima would like them to visit during the winter to feel the cold and see the snow." Yano said.

Roughly 300,000 visitors come to Hiroshima annually.




No word on how many are Hawaii folks seeking a chill.











A L O H A! Cloudia











13 comments:

  1. After visiting Tokyo last year, I wonder if Hiroshima looks similar. Is it as urbanized?

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  2. Touching post, Cloudia. I didn't know that Honolulu and Hiroshima were sister cities. Love the quotes about sisterhood!!!

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  3. I always learn something new when I visit your blog, plus I get to look at pretty pictures of paradise.

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  4. I never knew about this sisterhood. Great post Cloudia. You are a great teacher, always learning here.

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  5. wow, I had no idea! very touching and appropriate given the dual tragedies. war is hell.

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  6. How wonderful. I'm not thinking I'd want to go somewhere that is freezing cold either. I'd love to visit Japan, but not in the winter. Just saying.

    Have a terrific day. :)

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  7. put your face in the water, put your feet in the water, put your soul in the water, join me for a swim tonight.
    aloha you.

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  8. Great quotes, and a wonderful post!

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  9. How lovely to see you folks today!!
    Aloha, Friends

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  10. It sure bekons.. lovely photos.

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  11. the 4-year-old knows how to appreciate life, doesn't she!

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  12. Divided in war and united in peace no better words on the face of the earth could eve be uttered by a human mouth.

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