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Greetings for 2010 Hawaii United Okinawa Association Annual Installation Banquet 

by CG Kamo

December 11, 2010 

Ohayo Gozaimasu!
Good Afternoon!
Aloha!

It is the honor and privilege for my wife and me to be here with you at the Annual Installation Banquet by the Hawaii United Okinawa Association at this beautiful Okinawa Cultural Center. This is my second visit to the Banquet after last year, but each visit impresses me most with the overwhelming power and presence of local Okinawans.

I have never been to Okinawa per se. But I have been deeply indebted to Okinawa for giving me a chance to make my professional debut as Consul General of Japan here. I remember that the first function I attended was a welcome ceremony for Obuchi Scholars from Okinawa at the East West Center last September. My first public speaking was at the Okinawan Festival a couple of days after the Obuchi Scholars event. I have never imagined that I would be so much exposed to Okinawa in Hawaii.

It is now a talk of town that Hawaii and Okinawa cooperates each other in developing new energy resources by jointly bringing both sides expertise together. APEC 2011 is coming to Honolulu this fall and focusing on this subject. The Hawaii- Okinawa Cooperation will give us a new opportunity to advance out level of cooperation even higher. Okinawa keeps a key position to make a significant contribution to boosting Hawaii.

Today you are installing the new leadership for this mighty organization. Taking this opportunity, I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the outgoing president, Paul Komeiji and his team for their excellent leadership and work well done for the Association. This year has been very special and busy with a lot of anniversary events. They discharged their responsibility well and did their best to take us to success and achievements.
I am sure that the new leadership will take on new challenges head on and commit itself to working for the members of the community to the best of their ability. I wish the new president and his team the best of luck for their future endeavors. 
Congratulations!