Bill > SCR169

This resolution establishes a sister-state relationship between the State of Hawaii, United States of America, and the Prefecture of Yamagata, Japan, recognizing their shared historical, cultural, and people-to-people ties, particularly stemming from Japanese immigration to Hawaii. The resolution highlights Japan's importance as an international partner for Hawaii and Yamagata Prefecture's strengths in agriculture, food production, and rural revitalization, noting the deep culinary similarities between the two regions, from rice cultivation to seafood and local cuisine. It emphasizes common priorities such as sustainable tourism, workforce development, food security, clean energy, climate resilience, and cultural preservation, and aims to foster institutional collaboration, economic opportunity, and cultural exchange. To achieve this, the resolution encourages pilot initiatives in areas like culinary and agricultural exchange, culinary tourism, education and workforce exchange, and sustainable development collaboration, with the ultimate goal of expanding economic and trade opportunities, strengthening tourism, supporting education, enhancing food security, deepening cultural understanding, and promoting climate resilience. The Governor of Hawaii is requested to work with Yamagata Prefecture to develop formal agreements to advance this relationship.