Hawaii’s Sister-States

DBEDT 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 DBEDT’s Sister-State program.

In 1993, DBEDT 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.

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.

Sister-States Process

DBEDT outlined the following process for establishing a Sister-State relationship:

  • A detailed application form will be provided after initial consultation with DBEDT 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.
  • DBEDT will make a preliminary review and develop a recommendation to the Governor.
  • The Governor will review the recommendation and either hold the recommendation or forward it to the Legislature.
  • The Legislature will then adopt a concurrent resolution which authorizes the Governor to enter into an agreement with the prospective Sister-State.
  • DBEDT and the prospective sister develop the mechanics and language of the agreement and subsequent program of cooperation.

Sister-State Committee


The Sister-State Program is governed by Hawaii Revised Statutes, Chapter 229 – Sister-State and Province Relationships. As part of this statute from 2006, a Hawaii Sister-State Committee was created (see Hawaii Revised Statutes 229-2 – Hawaii Sister-State Committee) within DBEDT in order to, “advise the Governor and the legislature on matters relating to Sister-State or province relations and relations, in general, between the State and the states or provinces of foreign countries.”

The Governor appoints five members, one member from each of five lists of nominees submitted respectively by the following: (1) Speaker of the house of representatives; (2)  President of the senate; (3)  Native Hawaiian cultural organization; (4)  East-West Center; and (5)  Hawaii State Association of Counties.

Committee Members

Kay Matsui Representing: Hawaii State Association of Counties Exp. 6/30/2022
Kahoʻokeleholu Hannahs Representing: Native Hawaiian Cultural Organization
 Exp. 6/30/2017 (Holdover)
Debra Nakama Representing: Speaker of the House of Representatives
 Exp. 6/30/2019
Jean E. Rolles Representing: East-West Center
 Exp. 6/30/2020
Eduardo Topenio Jr. Representing: President of the Senate
 Exp. 6/30/2019

The Sister-State Committee periodically meets to consider Sister-State applications and other related business.

Committee Agendas / Minutes / Reports* 


The Committee meets on an as-needed basis at No. 1 Capitol District Building – 250 South Hotel Street, Conference Room 436, Honolulu, Hawaii. The agenda and minutes for the most recent meeting can be found below. Agendas are also posted on the State of Hawaii calendar. Type ‘Sister State Committee’ in the appropriate space bar and select or you can scroll to find it under DBEDT.



If you would like to submit testimony for a Committee meeting, please contact us per the information below.

Contact information

Email: leslie.kawamoto@hawaii.gov
Phone: (808) 587-2757
Mailing Address: 

Sister-State Committee/BDSD, DBEDT
P.O. Box 2359
Honolulu, Hawaii 96804

*Reports for past years can be found on the DBEDT Reports webpage

These documents are provided in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format and require the Adobe Acrobat Reader for viewing and printing. This free software can be downloaded from Adobe Systems Inc.

Sister-States

Country and Area
 Province/Prefecture Year Established

China

Guangdong

1985

China

Hainan

1992

India

Goa

2018

Indonesia

Bali

2014

Japan

Fukuoka

1981

Japan

Okinawa

1985

Japan

Hiroshima

1997

Japan

Ehime

2003

Japan

Hokkaido

2017

Korea

Jeju

1986

Morocco

Rabat-Sale-Zemmour-Zaer

2011

Philippines

Ilocos Sur

1985

Philippines

Cebu

1996

Philippines

Pangasinan

2002

Philippines

Ilocos Norte

2005

Philippines

Isabela

2006

Portugal

Azores Islands

1982

Taiwan

Taiwan

1993

County Sisters