Commemorating the Sister Chamber Anniversary

In 2026, the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce (KKCC) proudly marks the 20th anniversary of its Sister Chamber relationship with the Hatsukaichi Chamber of Commerce and Industry—a partnership built on trust, shared experiences, and mutual respect that has deepened over time.

The relationship was formally established in 2006, when the two chambers entered into a Sister Chamber Agreement to promote friendly relations and goodwill between Japan and the United States through industrial, economic, and cultural exchange. Kona-Kohala Chamber Board Member Guy Toyama traveled to Hatsukaichi to sign the agreement, laying the foundation for a lasting, meaningful partnership. While Guy is no longer with us, his legacy lives on through this relationship and the values it represents.

Over the past two decades, the Sister Chamber relationship has grown well beyond a signed agreement. The Hatsukaichi Chamber has consistently sent a delegation to West Hawaiʻi to participate in the annual Kona Coffee Cultural Festival, creating a sustained opportunity for cultural exchange and connection.

When these visits take place, the Kona-Kohala Chamber typically convenes meetings that bring together business and community leaders, reinforcing relationships and strengthening understanding between our communities. These efforts are often carried out in collaboration with valued partners, including the Kona Japanese Civic Association, KTA Super Stores, and Kona Hiroshima Kenjin Kai, demonstrating how strong relationships extend beyond the organization and enrich the broader community.

The Kona-Kohala Chamber extends a special Mahalo to past KKCC Board Chairs Dale Suezaki and Ross Wilson for their leadership and long-standing involvement in strengthening cultural and community ties with our friends from Hatsukaichi. Dale and Ross are leading the KKCC Sister Chamber Committee to plan activities for the 20th anniversary in the fall of 2026.

The Sister Chamber relationship stands as a reminder that meaningful partnerships do not happen by chance. They are built over time through consistency, care, and a shared commitment to connection—values that continue to guide the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce and its work in the community.

In 2006, the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce and the Hatsukaichi Chamber of Commerce and Industry made a formal Sister Chamber Agreement.  This agreement aims to promote friendly relations between the Chambers and goodwill between Japan and the United States through industrial, economic, and cultural exchange.

Kona-Kohala Chamber Board member Guy Toyama went to Hatsukaichi to sign this agreement. Sadly, Guy is no longer with us, but his legacy lives on with this important relationship.

In 2011, the Kona-Kohala Chamber and the Hatsukaichi Chamber celebrated their 5th anniversary of the Sister Chamber agreement by organizing the Kona-Hiroshima Peace Festival with music, booths, food, and fun! 

Our Hatsukaichi friends at one of the expo booths at the 2011 Kona-Hiroshima Peace Festival at the Keauhou Shopping Center on Hawaiʻi Island. 

In 2015, the Kona Hiroshima Kenjinkai and Kona-Kohala Chamber welcome the Hatsukaichi Chamber of Commerce and Industry for a gathering to foster friendships and share cultural traditions on Hawaiʻi Island. 

For the 10 year Sister Chamber celebration in 2016, the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce leaders headed to Japan to visit the Hatsukaichi Chamber of Commerce. 

Hatsukaichi Chamber and Kona-Kohala Chamber celebrated ten years of the Sister Chamber relationship with many activities, including walking in the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival's Lantern Parade in Kailua Village on Hawaiʻi Island in 2016. KKCC Executive Director Kirstin Kahaloa (2015-2017) led the way with our friends from Hatsukaichi.

In 2017, members of the Hatsukaichi Chamber of Commerce and Industry prepared the famous okonomiyaki at an event at Makaʻeo Pavilion during the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival on Hawaiʻi Island. KTA Super Stores generously donated the ingredients for the okonomiyaki. 

Hatsukaichi Chamber Chairman Tadashi Hosokawa presents a donation to the Kona-Kohala Chamber Board Chair Dale Suezaki to aid in relief from the 2018 volcanic eruption on Hawaiʻi Island. This donation went to Hawaiʻi Island United Way to help shelter displaced families. Later that year, the Hatsukaichi area had terrible flooding. The Kona-Kohala Chamber sent a donation to the Hatsukaichi Chamber to aid relief efforts for that disaster. 

In 2018, Hatsukaichi Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chairman Tadashi Hosokawa (middle) and wife Junko are introduced to State of Hawaiʻi Governor Ige by Kona-Kohala Chamber Board Chair Dale Suezaki and Executive Director Wendy Laros.

Hatsukaichi Chamber of Commerce and Industry leaders met with the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce leaders in Kona, Hawaiʻi, 2019.

In 2023, Kona-Kohala Chamber board members received the Hatsukaichi Chamber board members at the KKCC office in Kailua-Kona, Hawaiʻi. 

In 2023, the Hatsukaichi Chamber Chairman Norikazu Shibuya presented a generous donation of $7,000 to Kona-Kohala Chamber Board Chair Jen Johansen to aid in Maui wildfire relief. The donation went to the Maui Chamber of Commerce’s relief fund—the same fund where the Kona-Kohala Chamber donated $10,000 for relief efforts. 

In 2024, Hawaiʻi County Mayor Mitch Roth headed to Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima with a large entourage of Hawaiʻi Island government, business, and community leaders. After officially signing the Sister City agreement, Mayor Roth and Hatsukaichi Mayor Taro Matsumoto exchanged gifts. Mayor Roth was joined on stage by Hawaiʻi County Council members Heather Kimball, Dr. Holeka Goro Inaba, and Sue Lee Loy along with Art Taniguichi, Honorary Consul of Japan in Hilo. 

In 2024, Kona-Kohala Chamber Past Board Chairs Dale Suezaki (left) and Ross Wilson (right) represented our chamber during the Sister City ceremony between Hatsukaichi and Hawaiʻi County. They are pictured here at the Welcome Reception in Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima with Hidehiko Yuzaki, Governor of the Hiroshima Prefecture (center).