HONOLULU — Governor David Ige is leading a Hawaiian delegation to Japan to encourage and expand travel to the Hawaiian Islands as the world slowly emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Governor will meet Prime Minister Fumio Kishida; the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry; the Minister of Foreign Affairs; and travel industry partners to restore the relationship between Hawaiʻi and Japan.

“Japan is our largest international source of travelers to Hawaii, and we look forward to rekindling our relationship. Overall, international travel is much lower than it was before the pandemic. As our state becomes more focused on destination management than on increasing the number of visitors to the islands, we recognize that Japanese visitors are a priority for us because they tend to be engaged in the community, they are respectful of Hawaiian culture and our environment. We would like to welcome them to the islands,” Governor Ige said.

The governor will also meet with Japanese leaders to discuss economic development and renewable energy.

“Japan is committed to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which include clean energy. They want to learn from Hawaii, which is a leader in renewable energy and the first US state to set a 100% renewable energy goal. Hawaiʻi and Japan would benefit from joint research, dialogue and exchange, and working together to achieve our goals faster and more effectively,” Ige said.

Governor Ige will be joined by First Lady Dawn Amano-Ige; Mike McCartney, director of the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism; John De Fries, President and CEO of the Hawaii Tourism Authority; George Kam, Chairman, Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority; and House Speaker Scott Saiki.

The governor is due to return to Honolulu on Friday, May 13. Lieutenant Governor Josh Green will serve as interim governor.

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Media contacts:

Jodi Leong

Deputy director of communication / press officer

Governor’s office

Office: 808-586-0043

[email protected]

Cindy McMillan

Communications Director

Governor’s office

Office: 808-586-0012

Mobile: 808-265-7974

[email protected]