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YMCA Remarks by C.G. Kamo

July 31, 2011

It is my honor to be invited to this auspicious occasion of the 50^th anniversary of the Hiroshima-Honolulu YMCA exchange program “Lets Get Together”. It is a privilege that I have been given a chance to speak to such a friendly and engaging audience. I would congratulate you on the 50^th anniversary and wish you the best of luck in your endeavor to carry on this significant and successful program of goodwill and education. I would offer my true admiration to those who are responsible for operating this wonderful program and those volunteers who spare no effort to make this a success for such a long period of time.

We are just now entertained tremendously by the young hula dancers, particularly small children and the Hawaiian music performers. Thank you for your great performance. You are certainly sending a big aloha in welcoming the Hiroshima delegation.

Taking this opportunity, I would like to express my deep appreciation for the Honolulu YMCA for their invaluable support to various activities of this community. Over the years, YMCA has been a municipal hub of youth development, health awareness and social responsibility. YMCA is not necessarily serving exclusively young people. It served all age groups in the community. For instance, we have a wonderful gathering for rather senior people to enjoy talks and lectures on Thursdays during lunch hours. This activity has been continuing for more than last 100 years. One hundred years! On every Thursday they meet at here, Nuuanu YMCA. Without the great facilities provided by YMCA, it would not have been possible for them to run their program for such a long period of time.

Another good example of the YMCA contribution is that their great facilities are greatly facilitating youth exchange. Currently, the Japanese young people who suffered the great tsunami and/or the radioactive contamination in Japan are visiting Hawaii for a summer camp in Oahu. I understand that they had a wonderful time in staying at one of YMCA camping sites in North Shore. YMCA is just there for us to use and benefit.

Thank you YMCA.

広島からお越しの皆様。ようこそホノルルへいらっしゃいました。広島YMCAとホノルルの交流は、過去５０年に亘り両YMCAの友情の輪を育み、広げて参りました。一口に５０年と言いますが、大変な年月です。皆様方の献身とご尽力がこの両YMCAの交流プログラムを支え、今日を迎えられたものと拝察いたします。この間、相互訪問などを通じて築かれた人的関係は掛け替えのない財産になったことと思います。この交流を通じて育った青年リーダーも数多いことでしょう。ホノルルと広島の姉妹都市関係樹立を記念してこの交流が始まったと承っておりますが、この両YMCAを通ずる青年交流が姉妹都市関係の屋台骨を支えていることは間違いありません。どうか、この素晴らしい関係が末永く続き、一層の友情と相互理解が進みますことを念じて、私のご挨拶といたします。