URGING THE CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU, THE COUNTY OF MAUI, THE COUNTY OF HAWAII, AND THE COUNTY OF KAUAI TO ESTABLISH SISTER CITY RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHER PACIFIC ISLAND MUNICIPALITIES.

HCR 161 is a concurrent resolution urging Hawaii's four counties (Honolulu, Maui, Hawaii, and Kauai) to establish new sister city partnerships with Pacific Island municipalities. It does not create new laws but formally encourages these counties to expand existing relationships, building on Hawaii's current 30 Pacific Island sister cities out of 89 worldwide. The resolution highlights shared cultural ties and the value of exchanges in areas like arts, education, and community development, referencing the 2024 Festival of Pacific Arts as a catalyst. It specifically directs county mayors and the Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts to pursue these partnerships.