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Trip to Okinawa and Japan
October 24, 2016 - November 2, 2016
Governor Ige travels to Okinawa for energy symposium, Worldwide Uchinanchu Festival
HONOLULU – Gov. David Ige is traveling in Okinawa and Tokyo, Japan from Oct. 24 through Nov. 2.
In Okinawa, the governor will join the Department of Business and Economic Development (DBEDT) at the International Energy Symposium in Urasoe City. The symposium will feature worldwide viewpoints on energy from Okinawa, Hawai‘i, Brazil, Peru and the Philippines, and will provide the opportunity for a free exchange of information, ideas and technology in the quest for 100 percent renewable energy.
Last year, Okinawa Prefecture and the State of Hawai‘i signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) on Clean and Efficient Energy Development and Deployment to mark the 30th anniversary of sister-state/province relations. The collaboration aims to advance clean energy technologies and promote renewable energy.
While in Okinawa, the governor will also participate in the 6th Worldwide Uchinanchu Festival which is held every 5 years and offers a rare opportunity for Uchinanchu from all over the world to return to the islands and reconnect with their heritage and culture. Gov. Ige aims to expand Hawai‘i ties with Okinawa in energy, education and cultural exchange.
The governor and DBEDT officials are also scheduled to visit an Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) facility on Kumejima Island, as well as a deep seawater research center and an on-site company that is utilizing deep seawater.
In Tokyo, Gov. Ige will meet with government and business officials on energy, tourism, pre-clearance and expanding routes between Japan and Hawai‘i.
Chief of Staff Mike McCartney will join the governor for the Tokyo portion of this trip. First Lady Dawn Amano-Ige is joining the governor for both the Okinawa and Tokyo portions of the trip, at her own expense.
Lt. Gov. Shan Tsutsui will serve as acting governor until Gov. Ige returns on Nov. 2.