Hawaii-Japan Relations Reach New Heights as Japan Airlines and Japan-America Society of Hawaii Forge a Powerful Alliance for the 2026 Sister Summit in Honolulu

Published on March 8, 2025

Japan Airlines and Japan-America Society of Hawaii unite to expand Hawaii-Japan sister city ties and strengthen diplomacy ahead of the 2026 Summit in Honolulu.

The Japan-America Society of Hawaii (JASH) and Japan Airlines (JAL) have formalized a strategic partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), signed on March 7, 2025, at the JASH headquarters in Honolulu, Hawaii. This collaboration aims to enhance the success of the upcoming Hawaii-Japan Sister State & Sister City Summit, scheduled for May 2026 in Honolulu.

A New Chapter in Hawaii-Japan Relations

The MOU establishes a framework for cooperation between JASH and JAL to facilitate stronger ties between municipalities in Hawaii and Japan. As the lead coordinator of the Sister Summit, JASH will play a pivotal role in organizing the event, while JAL will serve as the secretariat in Japan, ensuring seamless coordination with Japanese municipalities and stakeholders.

The Sister Summit will provide a platform for representatives from Hawaii’s state and county governments and Japan’s prefectures and cities to engage in cultural, economic, and diplomatic discussions, fostering long-term partnerships and strengthening international relationships.

Key Objectives of the JASH-JAL Partnership

The newly established partnership is built on shared goals that promote people-to-people connections and economic collaboration between Japan and Hawaii. The primary objectives include:

• Strengthening Existing Relationships: Enhancing exchanges between Hawaii and its current sister states and sister cities in Japan.
• Expanding Sister City Agreements: Encouraging new partnerships between Hawaiian and Japanese cities to broaden bilateral engagement.
• Facilitating Cultural and Economic Exchange: Promoting deeper cultural appreciation and economic opportunities through mutual visits, educational programs, and trade initiatives.
• Enhancing Connectivity: Leveraging JAL’s aviation network to support the seamless movement of delegates, business leaders, and cultural representatives between Japan and Hawaii for the 2026 summit.

JASH and JAL: A Strong Foundation for Collaboration

JASH: Strengthening Hawaii-Japan Ties

Founded with the mission of bridging cultural and diplomatic ties between Japan and the United States, the Japan-America Society of Hawaii plays an essential role in fostering goodwill, education, and international partnerships. Under the leadership of Board Chair Karen Knudsen and President Reyna Kaneko, JASH remains committed to building meaningful connections between Hawaii and Japan.

As the world recovers from pandemic-induced disruptions, JASH recognizes the importance of revitalizing cross-border partnerships and reinforcing the enduring relationship between Hawaii and Japan.

JAL: A Longstanding Partner in Hawaii-Japan Connectivity

With a history spanning over 70 years of operations in Hawaii, Japan Airlines has played a crucial role in connecting Japanese travelers to the Hawaiian Islands. As a leading carrier in the region, JAL continues to contribute to Hawaii’s tourism, cultural exchanges, and business collaborations.

Led by President Mitsuko Tottori, JAL’s mission extends beyond air travel—it seeks to enhance global partnerships through sustainable tourism and corporate social responsibility initiatives. By joining forces with JASH, JAL aims to deepen international ties and foster long-term cooperation between Japan and Hawaii.

The Significance of the 2026 Hawaii-Japan Sister Summit

The Hawaii-Japan Sister State & Sister City Summit serves as a high-profile diplomatic and cultural exchange platform, bringing together government officials, business leaders, and community representatives from both regions.

With JASH overseeing event coordination and JAL facilitating intergovernmental communication in Japan, the 2026 summit is set to strengthen economic opportunities, tourism collaborations, and cultural diplomacy between the two nations.

As preparations begin for this landmark event, the partnership between JASH and JAL marks a significant step forward in reinforcing the enduring bonds between Hawaii and Japan.

Kaori Nishiharaguchi, Deputy Senior Vice President of Japan Airlines said, “For over 70 years, Japan Airlines has been connecting Hawaii and Japan. We are now excited to collaborate with JASH to further develop exchange programs between sister cities through our support of the Hawaii-Japan Sister State & Sister City Summit.”

Karen Knudsen, JASH Board Chair said, “JASH will celebrate its 50th Anniversary in 2026 and remains dedicated to fostering connections between the people of Japan and Hawaii. We are thrilled to partner with Japan Airlines, a valued member of JASH for almost 40 years, to further enhance the Japan-Hawaii relationship during our Hawaii-Japan Sister State & Sister City Summit.”