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Gov. David Ige returned Friday from his first international trip since taking office optimistic that he will soon be able to announce an increase in flights from Japan to Hawaii.
Ige said he discussed adding international flight capacity to Hawaii with airline executives during a three-day whirlwind series of 19 events and meetings in Japan that included a meeting with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
Airline officials were "very receptive" to the idea of adding flights because the demand for travel to Hawaii is steady and strong, Ige said. The Japanese government is encouraging its citizens to travel more and has set a goal of sending 20 million vacationers abroad per year, and Ige said he wants to be sure Hawaii will benefit.
Ige said he outlined for Japanese officials the state’s $1 billion plan to modernize Hawaiiʻs airports, which includes plans to build a new facility in Kona for the U.S. Customs and Border Protection so Kona can once again serve as an international point of entry for Japanese visitors.
The governor said the relationship between Hawaii and Japan is a special one, and he said he met with members of the Diet — the national legislature of Japan — who are interested in strengthening the U.S.-Japanese relationship.
Japan is Hawaii’s top international market with up to 19 flights a day from six cities to the Hawaiian Islands. Those flights bring in an annual 1.5 million visitors who spend about $2.5 billion a year.
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