State builds goodwill in Hiroshima and the Philippines
Posted on Oct 26, 2017 in Capitol Connection, FeaturedFirst lady Dawn Amano-Ige and Hiroshima’s Gov. Hidehiko Yuzaki portray samurai forging a lasting bond.
Gov. Ryan Singson of the League of Provinces of the Philippines and Gov.David Ige shake hands after signing the historic Memorandum of Understanding for future cooperation between Hawai’i and all Philippine provinces.
Governor Ige and first lady Dawn Amano-Ige affirmed Hawai‘i’s long-standing relationship with Japan and the Philippines in visits last month to promote cultural, economic and education exchanges.
Mrs. Ige traveled to Hiroshima Oct. 2 to represent the state in commemorating the 20th anniversary of Hawai‘i’s sister state relationship. She and a delegation of legislators and business representatives were hosted by Hiroshima Governor Hidehiko Yuzaki.
Following that trip, Governor and Mrs. Ige embarked on a goodwill and trade mission with the Filipino Chamber of Commerce Oct. 14-22. Gov. Ige was the first Hawai‘i governor in a decade to visit the Philippines. Among the significant events was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding and Cooperation to establish a partnership between Hawai‘i and all Philippine provinces.
The MOU calls for establishing a working group to plan joint initiatives and recognizes that Filipinos constitute Hawai‘i’s largest ethnic group.