On Friday, February 11, Hawaiʻi County celebrated its 60 year Sister City relationship with Oshima Town, Japan during a virtual film event that included representatives from both cities.

The official establishment of the relationship between the two counties was signed on February 16, 1962, by then Chairman and Executive Officer of the County of Hawaiʻi, Thomas “Lofty” Cook, in Oshima, Japan.

To celebrate this anniversary, Hawaiʻi County and Oshima Town compiled interviews of former and current government officials, organizations, and other individuals to share anecdotes about the Sister City relationship that were compiled into a commemorative documentary film produced by Nā Leo TV.

The sponsoring organization of the Sister City relationship is the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Hawaiʻi.

Photo credit: Hawaiʻi County Mayor’s Office