Hawai'i, 'sister cities' set to talk business

By Dan Nakaso
Advertiser Staff Writer

Government and business officials from 21 cities and provinces that have Hawai'i "sister city" relationships arrive in the Islands in July to consider business opportunities with local companies.

The "Sister Summit" is an outgrowth of smaller, individual meetings among various Hawai'i counties and the state among their counterparts worldwide. This time, the state Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism wants the focus to be on showcasing Hawai'i business opportunities.

Out of 71 of Hawai'i's sister cities, states or provinces, 21 will be represented, mostly from China, Taiwan and the Philippines.

"The purpose is to leverage relationships that we've established over the last almost 40 years and refocus them on business, to really look at the potential for some serious business matchmaking," said Richard Bahar, DBEDT business development manager.

The conference will be at the Hawai'i Convention Center July 8-10, with visits to the Neighbor Islands July 11-12.

Joint hosts of the event will be Gov. Ben Cayetano, Honolulu Mayor Jeremy Harris, Maui Mayor James "Kimo" Apana, Big Island Mayor Harry Kim and Kaua'i Mayor Maryanne Kusaka.

"Unlike other similar sister events that have emphasized cultural activities, this meeting is to focus on generating commercial opportunities for both the overseas participants and Hawai'i companies. ... We are strongly encouraging local firms to take advantage of the unique gathering to meet with representatives from prefectures, provinces and cities from around the world," said DBEDT director Seiji Naya.

Ted Sturdivant, who publishes Asian-language Ha-wai'i guidebooks and operates an Asian-language Web site marketing Hawai'i, just got back from a business trip to Hong Kong; Shanghai, China; Taipei, Taiwan; and Beijing.

He welcomes the opportunity to make even more contacts at the conference — especially with Chinese representatives.

"I'm from the old school," Sturdivant said. "Face to face and press the flesh. Especially with the people in China, it's the personal relationships and repetitive meetings that develop strong allies. This is one of those occasions where it will give you the opportunity to say, 'Oh I remember you.' Or 'I'll be in China in a couple of months. Maybe we can talk.' "

Elden Ito, chairman of Honolulu-based software and Internet-based solutions company Revacomm, called the sister city delegates "a perfect group for us to engage with."

Ito especially wants to talk to Chinese representatives because of China's admittance into the World Trade Organization and because of business opportunities for the 2008 Olympics, which will be in China.

"We hope that we can get some contacts and keep planting seeds in that market," Ito said. "This is the best way to make contacts because they're coming to us and we know they're interested in Hawai'i."

Ito doesn't expect to sign any business deals at the meeting.

"But you never know," he said. "We keep casting our net out and that's all we can do at this point."

For details, contact Bahar at rbahar@dbedt.hawaii.gov or 587-2769, or Jim Dorian at jdorian@dbedt.hawaii.gov or 586-2352.