The Mayor’s Office of Culture and the Arts, in collaboration with the East-West Center Arts Program, presents Ocean of Peace, a group exhibition featuring seven artists of Micronesian heritage, on view at Honolulu Hale from May 8 to June 11, 2026. The exhibition opens on Friday, May 8 from 4–6 p.m. The exhibition centers on… Continue reading May 8-June 11, 2026 – Ocean of Peace Exhibition Opens at Honolulu Hale Featuring Micronesian Artists
On a visit that was equal parts official and joyful, Chief of Staff Andy Sugg welcomed a group of young students from Chigasaki, Japan, to Honolulu Hale. When Chief of Staff Sugg asked the students (all between 10 and 12 years old) what their favorite part of the trip had been so far, the answers… Continue reading March 18, 2026 – Chigasaki Rainbow Kids meet with Chief of Staff
Mayor Sato and Chair Kishi of Chigasaki, Japan, paid a warm visit to Honolulu Hale on March 12th, sitting down with Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi for a wide-ranging conversation that touched on tourism, civic life, education, and the surprising rise of pickleball as a bridge between their two cities. The meeting at Honolulu Hale reflected… Continue reading March 12, 2026 – Mayor Blangiardi meets with Mayor Sato and Chair Kishi of Chigasaki
In the spirit of the sister city relationship between Honolulu and Shibuya, Japan, a delegation from Shibuya’s Sports Department visited the City and County of Honolulu for two days of meetings, tours, and cultural exchange. The visit offered a meaningful opportunity for both cities to deepen their collaboration around sports, recreation, and youth engagement. Day… Continue reading February 26-27, 2026 – Shibuya Sports Department visits Honolulu
Bishop Isao Ito, Chair of the Univers Foundation and a senior leader of Shinnyo-en (one of Japan’s most prominent Buddhist organizations) visited Honolulu Mayor Richard Blangiardi on February 25 during a trip to Hawaiʻi. Bishop Ito was in town to participate in the Social Work in Hawaii Seminar, a collaborative academic initiative between the University… Continue reading February 25, 2026 – Bishop Ito visits Mayor Blangiardi
The Honolulu Ocean Safety Department hosted a delegation of lifeguards from Okinawa, Japan, from February 9–13, 2026, in a visit that reflected the deep and enduring ties between Hawaiʻi and Okinawa. During their five days on Oʻahu, the delegation worked closely with the department’s Training Unit, participating in hands-on exercises and gaining familiarity with ocean… Continue reading February 13, 2026 – Ocean Safety partners with Okinawa lifeguards
A group of students from Kangwon National University in South Korea recently visited Honolulu to meet with our Office of Climate Change, Sustainability and Resiliency (CCSR). The program CSSR prepared brought them face to face with the city’s civic history, its growing transportation infrastructure, and its deep connections to the land. The visit was a… Continue reading January 23, 2026 – Visit from Kangwon National University students (South Korea)
Consul General Dr. K. Srikar Reddy’s visit to Honolulu Hale signals renewed momentum in the city’s relationship with India. On January 22, 2026, Consul General Dr. K. Srikar Reddy visited Honolulu Hale alongside Dr. Raj Kumar, bringing with him the possibility of a meaningful new chapter in Honolulu’s international partnerships. The meeting centered on the… Continue reading January 22, 2026 – Mayor Blangiardi meets with Consul General Dr. K. Srikar Reddy
Seventh graders from Nagaoka City, Japan, visited our Chief Of Staff, Mr. Andy Sugg. Before that they visited Island Pacific Academy in Kapolei to meet students of their age. One of our staff members who works for the Mayor’s Communications team visited Nagaoka in 2025 and prepared a quiz to test the students’ knowledge of… Continue reading January 15, 2026 – Nagaoka City Hawkins Project
Major funding opportunity for Honolulu organizations to collaborate with our Japanese sister cities! THE OPPORTUNITY Sister Cities International and the U.S.-Japan Foundation are funding “living laboratory” projects between U.S. and Japanese sister cities on issues like climate change, aging populations, youth engagement, sustainability, and community revitalization. HONOLULU’S ADVANTAGE We have 14 Japanese partnerships: 8 Sister… Continue reading Extended deadline! US-Japan Global Impact Grant
