Delegation from Japan visits UH Hilo, exchange agreement signed with Eikei University of Hiroshima

Posted on October 14, 2022November 18, 2022 by Staff

Visiting UH Hilo were Governor Hidehiko Yuzaki and four others representing Hiroshima Prefecture, President Mutsuhiro Arinobu from Eikei University of Hiroshima, and the university’s Director of International Affairs Yuko Uesugi.

A large group of people stand for a photo. Dignitaries are at the center front of the group. — A delegation from Japan, including Governor Hidehiko Yuzaki from Hiroshima Prefecture (center front in red), President Mutsuhiro Arinobu from Eikei University of Hiroshima (left front in blue holding backpack), and Eikei University’s Director of International Affairs Yuko Uesugi (front right in floral dress) visited UH Hilo on Oct. 14, 2022. Above, members of the delegation, along with UH Hilo Chancellor Bonnie Irwin (front center), other UH Hilo administrators, and a group from Ka Haka ‘Ula O Ke‘elikōlani College of Hawaiian Language who performed oli and welcoming protocols, stand in the lobby of ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center. (Tom Callis/‘Imiloa)

By Susan Enright.

University of Hawai‘i at Hilo Chancellor Bonnie Irwin welcomed a delegation from Japan to campus Oct. 14. The group included Governor Hidehiko Yuzaki and four others representing Hiroshima Prefecture. Also in the delegation was President Mutsuhiro Arinobu from Eikei University of Hiroshima and the university’s Director of International Affairs Yuko Uesugi.

The visit to UH Hilo was part of the group’s week-long visit to Hawai‘i to celebrate 25 years of a sister state relationship between Hawai‘i and Hiroshima Prefecture. During the visit, university members of the delegation, along with UH Hilo administrators, signed an exchange agreement between UH Hilo and Eikei University of Hiroshima.

“Hawai‘i and Japan have so much in common as island cultures, and I look forward to building upon the sister-city relationship between Hilo and Hiroshima through a partnership with Eikei University,” says Chancellor Irwin.

“We are excited to forge this new partnership with Eikei University, and I look forward to working with the campus to encourage more of our students to study abroad,” she adds.

President and Chancellor sign documents. — From left, Eikei University of Hiroshima’s President Mutsuhiro Arinobu and University of Hawai‘i at Hilo’s Chancellor Bonnie Irwin sign an exchange agreement between the universities. (Tom Callis/‘Imiloa)

President and Chancellor stand with signed documents held up for view. — From left, Eikei University of Hiroshima’s Director of International Affairs Yuko Uesugi, Eikei University’s President Mutsuhiro Arinobu, University of Hawai‘i at Hilo’s Chancellor Bonnie Irwin, and UH Hilo’s Director of Global Exchange Todd Shumway. (Tom Callis/‘Imiloa)

This visit to campus was the last part of the Japan delegation’s week-long visit to Hawai‘i. Before coming to Hawai‘i Island, they were on O‘ahu and attended a reception at Washington Place hosted by Governor David Ige and First Lady Dawn Amano-Ige.

While in Hilo, the entire delegation and UH Hilo officials together visited ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center. The governor’s delegation then headed out to tour Maunakea, and the university delegation took a tour of the main UH Hilo campus and attended a follow up meeting with Chancellor Irwin.

By Susan Enright, a public information specialist for the Office of the Chancellor and editor of UH Hilo Stories.