HomeMy WebLinkAboutNR102219MayorholdstreeplantingceremonyforYamaguchigovernorTHE COUNTY OF KAUA'I
DEREK S. K. KAWAKAMI, MAYOR
mqa MICHAEL A. DAHILIG, MANAGING DIRECTOR
C os
News Release
For Immediate Release: October 22, 2019
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
SARAH K. BLANE, CHIEF OF STAFF
Tel (808) 241-4900
Fax (808) 241-6877
Mayor holds tree planting ceremony for Yamaguchi governor
LIHUE — Mayor Derek S. K. Kawakami held a special commemorative tree planting and
dedication ceremony on Friday, Oct. 18, for Gov. Tsugumasa Muraoka of Yamaguchi
Prefecture, Japan.
"This event marks my first tree planting ceremony since I took office, and I'm honored to
commemorate our strong ties with our friends from Japan," said Mayor Kawakami at Friday's
ceremony.
Gov. Muraoka and a delegation of 11 officials, including members of the Yamaguchi
Prefectural Assembly, visited Kauai for official business and to attend the Matsuri Kauai
Festival. Mayor Kawakami first met Gov. Muraoka during his inaugural visit to Japan in late
September.
"When I visited Japan with our Kauai delegation a few weeks ago, we were treated with
the utmost respect, hospitality, and an aloha spirit unlike anywhere else," said Mayor Kawakami.
"It's this level of aloha that has truly connected our countries and our cultures together for many,
many years."
The ceremony was held on the grounds of the Kauai War Memorial Convention Hall in
front of an audience of Yamaguchi officials, County of Kauai officials, the Kauai County
Council, and community members. At the ceremony, Mayor Kawakami and Gov. Muraoka
planted the indigenous Alahe'e tree.
Immediately following the ceremony, attendees gathered at the Kauai War Memorial
Convention Hall where the Kauai Japanese Cultural Society held its 34t" Annual Matsuri Kauai
Festival. The festival showcased a variety of Japanese traditions and activities to perpetuate the
Japanese culture on Kauai.
"The Matsuri Festival is a wonderful time to celebrate Hawai`i's rich Japanese history
together with our `ohana and friends, while sharing our Japanese traditions with the next
generation," said Mayor Kawakami during his welcome remarks. "Mahalo to Pearl Shimizu and
the Kauai Japanese Cultural Society for continuing this special tradition for our community year
after year."
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Above: Gov. Tsugumasa Muraoka of Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan, and Mayor Derek S. K.
Kawakami shake hands as they finish planting the Alahe`e tree on the grounds of the Kauai
War Memorial Convention Hall on Friday, Oct. 18.
Above: Mayor Derek S. K. Kawakami held a special tree planting ceremony on Friday, Oct. 18,
for Gov. Tsugumasa Muraoka of Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan. Attending the ceremony were
delegates of Yamaguchi, Council Vice Chair Ross Kagawa, Councilmember KipuKai Kuali`i, Sue
Kanoho of the Kauai Visitor's Bureau, and many other Kauai officials and community members.