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HCR 197

ESTABLISHING A SISTER-STATE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE STATE OF HAWAII, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND THE PREFECTURE OF YAMAGATA, JAPAN.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Andrew Garrett

Establishes a formal Hawaii–Yamagata sister-state relationship to pursue joint programs in economy, tourism, education, agriculture, energy, climate resilience, and culture.

Referred to WLA.
#sister-state #yamagataprefecture
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Bill Summary · HCR 197

Summary of Bill HCR 197 (2026) – Hawaii

Overview

  • Type: Concurrent Resolution establishing an international sister-state relationship
  • Jurisdiction: Hawaii, United States; with the Prefecture of Yamagata, Japan
  • Sponsor: Representative Ilagan; Co-sponsor: Andrew Garrett
  • Status history:
    • Referred to WLA (House Committee on Water, Land, and Hawaii) on 2026-04-10
    • Previously transmitted from House to Senate (04-01-2026) and adopted in House committee process (03-27 to 04-01, 2026)
    • Referred to relevant Senate committee (WLA) on 2026-04-10

Purpose and Intent

  • Establishes a sister-state relationship between the State of Hawaii and Yamagata Prefecture, Japan.
  • Aims to strengthen collaboration in areas including economic development, trade, sustainable tourism, education and workforce development, agriculture, food security, clean energy, climate resilience, and cultural exchange.
  • Seeks to enhance people-to-people ties and long-term mutual understanding between residents, businesses, students, and communities in both regions.

Key Provisions and Provisions of Action

  • Formal Establishment: Creates a formal sister-state relationship between Hawaii and Yamagata Prefecture.
  • Areas for Collaboration (encouraged):
    • Economic development and trade
    • Sustainable tourism and destination stewardship
    • Education and workforce development
    • Agriculture and food security
    • Clean energy and climate resilience
    • Cultural and people-to-people exchange
  • Pilot Initiatives (initial pilots recommended):
    1. Culinary and Agricultural Exchange Pilot Program: Chef, farmer, and food artisan exchanges highlighting local ingredients, traditional practices, and value-added production.
    2. Culinary Tourism and Cultural Showcase Pilot Program: Joint events to promote regional products, culinary traditions, and tourism experiences.
    3. Education and Workforce Exchange Pilot Program: Student, faculty, and professional exchanges focusing on agriculture, hospitality, sustainability, and culinary arts.
    4. Sustainable Development Collaboration Pilot Program: Knowledge-sharing on renewable energy, climate adaptation, rural revitalization, and community-based economic development.
  • Policy Goals: Expand economic and trade opportunities for local businesses; strengthen sustainable tourism; support workforce development and education pathways; enhance food security and culinary innovation; deepen cultural understanding and people-to-people ties; promote climate resilience and sustainable community development.
  • Implementation Framework: The Governor or the Governor’s designee is asked to collaborate with Yamagata Prefecture to develop memoranda of understanding (MOUs) and implementation frameworks to advance the sister-state relationship.
  • Communications and Diplomacy: Certified copies of the concurrent resolution to be transmitted to relevant U.S. and Japanese officials and representatives (Secretary of State, Ambassador of Japan, Governor of Hawaii, Governor of Yamagata, Consul General of Japan in Hawaii, and Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism).

Who Is Affected

  • State Government: Hawaii’s executive branch, particularly the Governor or designee, for international engagement and MOUs.
  • Yamagata Prefecture, Japan: Partner in the sister-state relationship.
  • Local Stakeholders in Hawaii and Yamagata: Farmers, chefs, educators, students, hospitality and tourism professionals, businesses, and community leaders who would participate in pilot programs and exchanges.
  • Public/Residents: Benefit from enhanced cultural exchange, education opportunities, economic activity, and climate resilience initiatives.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • The resolution expresses intent to initiate pilot programs and collaborative MOUs but does not mandate immediate funding or specific timelines beyond establishment and collaboration.
  • The mechanism centers on intergovernmental collaboration and development of memoranda of understanding and implementation plans.
  • Certification and transmission to national and prefectural authorities are specified to formalize the relationship.

Notable Details

  • The bill emphasizes culinary, agricultural, and cultural ties as central to the relationship, noting Hawaii’s diverse foodways and Yamagata’s agricultural strengths (rice, cherries, wagyu beef, soba, sake) and shared focus on sustainable practices.
  • The resolution is non-binding but signals Hawaii’s policy priority on international collaboration and people-to-people diplomacy with Japan.

Summary in Plain Language

HCR 197 would formally create a sister-state relationship between Hawaii and Yamagata Prefecture, Japan. It encourages joint work in economic development, tourism, education, agriculture, energy, climate resilience, and cultural exchange. It proposes concrete pilot programs centered on culinary and agricultural exchanges, culinary tourism and culture events, education and workforce exchanges, and sustainable development collaboration. The Governor would lead efforts to develop MOUs with Yamagata and coordinate with relevant officials to advance these initiatives, with copies sent to U.S. and Japanese authorities. The measure is primarily about establishing ties and initiating collaborative programs rather than creating new laws or funding.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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