Twelve Nago City Japan students spent an activity-packed week on Hawaiʻi island thanks to the County’s Sister Cities program.

The students were selected from four middle schools in Nago City as part of an ongoing exchange to sharpen their English-speaking skills by having the opportunity to speak to native English speakers and learn about Hawaiian culture.

The program was created in partnership with Hui Okinawa, which has helped organize these student visits since 2012, including finding the families to host them. This year, six local families in Hilo hosted the students for a weekend homestay experience.

cDuring their stay, the students participated in a variety of activities, including interacting with students from Hilo High School and West Hawaiʻi Explorations Academy middle school, visiting ʻImiloa, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, Parker Ranch, Amy Greenwell Botanical Garden, Huliheʻe Palace and coffee picking at UCC farm.

They also learned the basics of hula dancing with Kumu Keala Ching and got treated to a canoe paddling activity organized by the paddling clubs in Kona. The Kona Okinawa Kenjenkai also served them dinner in Kona, and the Japanese Cultural Center of Kona hosted a farewell dinner for the group on Saturday, August 27. The group returned to Japan yesterday, August 28.