Hawaii County recently celebrated the 20th anniversary of its sister city relationship with Yurihama, Japan.
The relationship was established Nov. 17, 1996, by Hawaii County Mayor Stephen Yamashiro and Mayor Masanao Inoue of Hawai-Cho. In 2004, Hawai-Cho merged with the adjacent towns of Togo and Tomari to form Yurihama.
Located on the western shore of the main island of Honshu, the area’s economy is based on farming, fishing, and tourism. They are known for their natural hot springs and annual Hawaiian festival.
Schoolchildren from Hilo and Yurihama visit each other on alternate years.
Hawaii County Mayor Billy Kenoi and the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry hosted a delegation from Yurihama from Feb. 18-21.
In commemoration of the anniversary, Yurihama Mayor Masamichi Miyawaki and Kenoi joined members of the delegation and the Big Island community to plant a black pine tree in Liliuokalani Gardens.
The commemoration also was an opportunity to formally thank the people of Yurihama for their $17,586 donation to the people of Puna recovering from the impacts of the lava flow.
Sister cities are agreements between cities and counties in geographically distinct areas to promote cultural and commercial ties, intended to foster friendship and understanding between different cultures and to encourage trade and tourism.
Hawaii County has 10 sister cities: Ohshima Island, Japan, since 1962; Nago, Okinawa, Japan, since 1986; La Serena, Chile, since 1994; Yurihama, Japan, since 1996; Sumoto, Japan, since 2000; Shibukawa, Japan, since 2007; Kumejima, Okinawa, Japan, since 2011; Ormoc, the Philippines, since 2011; Gokseong, South Korea, since 2011; and La Reunion, France, since 2012.
