Gov. David Ige embarked Sunday on his fourth trip to Japan since taking office. He will be in Okinawa and Tokyo through Nov. 2 and will meet with government and business officials on issues of energy, tourism and expanding travel routes between Japan and Hawaii, according to a news release.
In Okinawa, Ige and officials with Hawaii’s Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism will attend the International Energy Symposium in Urasoe. The symposium is expected to facilitate the exchange of information on clean energy among Okinawa, Hawaii, Brazil and the Philippines.
Last year, Hawaii and Okinawa prefecture signed a memorandum of cooperation relating to the development of clean energy.
While in Okinawa, Ige will also participate in the sixth Worldwide Uchinanchu Festival, which is held every five years, according to the governor’s office.
The festival “offers a rare opportunity for Uchinanchu from all over the world to return to the islands and reconnect with their heritage and culture,” according to the press release. “Gov. Ige aims to expand Hawaii ties with Okinawa in energy, education and cultural exchange.”
Ige and DBEDT officials are also scheduled to visit an Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion facility on Kumejima Island.
In Tokyo the governor will meet with government and business officials on the topics of energy, tourism and expanding and easing travel between Hawaii and Japan.
Chief of Staff Mike McCartney will join the governor for the Tokyo portion of the trip, while first lady Dawn Amano-Ige will accompany the governor on the full trip. Amano-Ige will pay her own expenses.
The total cost of the governor’s trip is estimated to be $13,000, according to Cindy McMillan, a spokeswoman for the Governor’s Office.
Ige made prior trips to the region in June, October and November of last year.
Lt. Gov. Shan Tsutsui is serving as acting governor until Ige’s return.
MAUI
Surfer postpones honeymoon as he recovers from shark bite
WAILUKU, Maui >> A Maui surfer is recovering from a shark attack and making plans to reschedule his honeymoon.
Federico Jaime, 36, of Paia was surfing Friday at a beach two blocks from his Paia home when he felt a shark bite his left arm and left leg.
Jaime said Monday from his room at Maui Memorial Medical Center that he can move all his fingers and can feel his forearm muscle working.
But he’ll need more surgery Wednesday to repair a tendon in his arm.
He said he and his wife were supposed to leave Saturday for a Tahiti honeymoon.
Jaime said he’s grateful nearby surfers who heard him screaming helped him get to shore. He was taken to Maui Memorial in serious condition after the incident at Hookipa Beach Park.
Fire Services Chief Edward Taomoto said Jaime was surfing about 50 yards from shore when he was attacked by a 5-foot reef shark. Ocean conditions were windy, choppy and murky.
HAWAII ISLAND
59-acre fishing village is now part of national historic trail
The 59-acre Kauleoli Fishing Village has become part of the Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail on Hawaii island.
The parcel, purchased by the federal government from the Pace family for $3.5 million, also includes the shoreline of the Kauleoli ahupuaa, Hawaiian house foundations, a canoe shed and salt-making ponds, the Hawaii Tribune-Herald reports.
The full Ala Kahakai trail, 175 miles long, runs from Upolu Point down the Kona Coast and around South Point to the eastern edge of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.
The congressional legislation that created Ala Kahakai authorized the purchase of adjacent private land from willing sellers. The Kauleoli Fishing Village was the first purchase. A blessing was held Saturday.
The village is just south of Puuhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park, so the trail connects them.
