Sister-States/Cities & Relationships Overseas

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DBEDT and its Office of International Affairs (OIA)* has established close working relationships with foreign governments and non-governmental organizations, federal agencies and national organizations. These relationships serve to raise Hawaii’s profile internationally, attract dynamic cooperative programs and stimulate Hawaii’s economy. Many of these projects fall under OIA’s Sister-State programs.

^{* Formerly known as the "Office of International Relations (OIR)"}

Policy

In 1993, the then Office of International Relations recognized that, in establishing sister relationships, economic benefit should be co-equal to the “historic purposes of friendship, cultural ties, and goodwill. Consequently any Sister-State relationship must provide for clear economic benefits.” Hawaii’s Sister-State Policy was based on the following criteria:

Strong evidence of interest by the potential Sister-State.
Clear prospects for mutual economic advantage.
Substantial grassroots support for the relationship.
A strong record of activities.
Potential for expanded cultural, educational and government exchanges.

Importantly, the report went on to state that:

Sister-State relationships are partnerships between governments, but require active and ongoing participation by the private sector to sustain the relationship.
Because the State’s capacity to manage Sister-State relationships is finite, a means of terminating moribund or defunct relationships should be provided for.

Process

The Office of International Affairs outlined a process for establishing a Sister-State relationship.

A detailed application form will be provided after initial consultation with DBEDT/OIA regarding a proposed relationship. The form to be filled out by proposer will include questions on such areas as geography, economic structure, cultural resources, primary industries, foreign trade and business, and sports.
OIA makes a preliminary review and develop a recommendation to the Governor.
The Governor reviews the recommendation and either holds the recommendation or forwards it to the Legislature.
The Legislature adopts a concurrent resolution which authorizes the Governor to enter into an agreement with the prospective Sister-State.
OIA and the prospective sister develop the mechanics and language of the agreement and subsequent program of cooperation.

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State of Hawaii's Sister States/Cities Annual Reports	2007	2006	2005

SISTER STATES

^Country

^{Province/Prefecture}

^{Year Established}

^China

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²⁰⁰²

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^Japan

¹⁹⁸¹

¹⁹⁸⁵

¹⁹⁹⁷

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^Korea

^{Cheju Province}

¹⁹⁸⁶

^Philippines

¹⁹⁸⁵

¹⁹⁹⁶

²⁰⁰²

²⁰⁰⁵

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^Portugal

^{Azores Islands}

¹⁹⁸²

	COUNTY SISTERS
^Country	^{City & County}	^{Hawaii's County}
^Australia	^{Tasmania, Australia}	^{Hawaii County}
	^{Cooktown, Queensland, Australia}	^{Kauai County}
^Azerbaijan	^{Baku City, Azerbaijan (1998)}	^{City & County of Honolulu}
^Chile	^{La Serena, Chile}	^{Hawaii County}
	^{Rapa Nui, Chile}	^{Maui County}
^China	^{Hainan Province, China (1985)}	^{City & County of Honolulu}
	^{Hualien County, Taiwan}	^{Hawaii County}
	^{Kaohsiung City, Taiwan (1962)}	^{City & County of Honolulu}
	^{Ping Tung, Taiwan}	^{Maui County}
	^{Quinhuangdao, Hebei, China}	^{Kauai County}
	^{Sanya County, Hainan Province, China (1998)}	^{Maui County}
	^{Zhongshan, Guangdong Province}	^{City & County of Honolulu}
^England	^{Whitby, England}	^{Kauai County}
^France	^{Albe, France}	^{Maui County}
	^{Bruyeres, France (1960)}	^{City & County of Honolulu}
	^{Papaenoo, French Polynesia}	^{Kauai County}
^India	^{Mumbai (Bombay), India (1970)}	^{City & County of Honolulu}
^Japan	^{Hachijo Island, Japan}	^{Maui County}
	^{Hirara City, Miyako Island, Okinawa, Japan}	^{Maui County}
	^{Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan (1959)}	^{City & County of Honolulu}
	^{Ishigaki, Ryuku Islands, Japan}	^{Kauai County}
	^{Moriyama City, Japan}	^{Kauai County}
	^{Nago City, Okinawa, Japan}	^{Hawaii County}
	^{Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan (1960)}	^{City & County of Honolulu}
	^{Suo-Oshima, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan (1997)}	^{Kauai County}
	^{Oshjima, Japan}	^{Hawaii County}
	^{Shibukawa, Gunma Prefecture (1997)}	^{Hawaii County}
	^{Sumoto, Japan}	^{Hawaii County}
	^{Uwajima, Ehime Prefecture (2004)}	^{City & County of Honolulu}
	^{Yurihama, Tottori Prefecture (1996)}	^{Hawaii County}
^Kenya	^{Mombasa, Kenya (2000)}	^{City & County of Honolulu}
^Korea	^{Incheon, South Korea (2003)}	^{City & County of Honolulu}
	^{Seoul, Korea (1973)}	^{City & County of Honolulu}
_^Morocco	^{Rabat, Morocco (2006)}	^{City & County of Honolulu}
^Philippines	^{Bacarra, Ilocos Norte, Philippines}	^{Maui County}
	^{Bagued, Philippines}	^{Kauai County}
	^{Baguio City, Philippines (1995)}	^{City & County of Honolulu}
	^{Cabugao, Ilocos Sur, Philippines (2005)}	^{Maui County}
	^{Cebu City, Philippines (1990)}	^{City & County of Honolulu}
	^{Laoag City, Philippines (1969)}	^{City & County of Honolulu}
	^{Legazpi City, Philippines}	^{Hawaii County}
	^{Manila, Philippines (1980)}	^{City & County of Honolulu}
	^{Manila, Philippines}	^{Maui County}
	^{Puerto Princesa, Philippines}	^{Maui County}
	^{Quezon City, Philippines}	^{Maui County}
	^{Santa, Ilocos Sur, Phillippines (1991)}	^{Maui County}
	^{San Juan, Ilocos Sur, Philippines (1991)}	^{Maui County}
	^{Sarrat, Ilocos Norte (2005)}	^{Maui County}
	^{Urdeneta, Pangasinan, Philippines}	^{Kauai County}
	^{Vigan, Philippines (2003)}	^{City & County of Honolulu}
	^{Zambales Province, Philippines}	^{Maui County}
^Peru	^{Arequipa, Peru}	^{Maui County}
^Portugal	^{Funchal, Madeira, Portugal (1979)}	^{City & County of Honolulu}
	^{Funchal, Madeira, Portugal}	^{Maui County}
	^{Sao Miguel, Portugal}	^{Maui County}
	^{Sao Miguel Island, Portugal}	^{Hawaii County}
	^{Sintra, Portugal (1998)}	^{City & County of Honolulu}
^{Puerto Rico}	^{San Juan, Puerto Rico (1985)}	^{City & County of Honolulu}
^Saipan	^{Northern Marianas Islands (2005)}	^{Maui County}
^Scotland	^{Embo, Dornach, Scotland}	^{Maui County}
^Spain	^{Madrid, Spain}	^{Maui County}
^{United States}	^{American Samoa}	^{Maui County}
^Venezuela	^{Caracas, Venezuela (1999)}	^{City & County of Honolulu}
^Vietnam	^{Hue, Vietnam (1995)}	^{City & County of Honolulu}

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Last modified 08-05-2008 12:57 PM

Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism

Sister-States/Cities & Relationships Overseas

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SISTER STATES

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