Consulate Activities
2026/8/26
2026 Spring Conferment of Decoration Ceremony for Mr. Paul Kaname Yonamine
(From left) Governor & Mrs. Green, Mr. & Mrs. Yonamine and CG & Mrs. Chotoku
Mr. Yonamine and Attendees
On August 20, 2026, at the Consul General’s Official Residence, the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon was conferred to Mr. Paul Kaname Yonamine.
Mr. Paul Kaname Yonamine has been active for approximately 40 years in corporate leadership, public policy, and community engagement, dedicating himself to strengthening Japan-U.S. relations, particularly between Japan and Hawaiʻi. In particular, through his leadership role in the US-Japan Council, his efforts to promote people-to-people exchanges, his contributions to enhancing economic ties through corporate management and the financial sector, and his policy advisory roles for the State of Hawaiʻi and the City and County of Honolulu, he has made significant contributions to advancing mutual understanding and cooperation across economic, cultural, and educational fields between Japan and the United States.
At the ceremony, Consul General Chotoku congratulated Mr. Yonamine and expressed deep respect for his contributions to promoting friendship and goodwill between Japan and Hawaiʻi as well as Japan and the United States. He highlighted Mr. Yonamine’s leadership in businesses, as well as his role in advancing multi-layered exchanges and strengthening mutual understanding and trust between Japan and the United States.
In his speech, Mr. Yonamine explained his dedication to fostering Japan-U.S. relations through his work as a business person and economic advisor in various sectors and promoting people-to-people exchanges. He expressed that it was a great honor to receive a decoration, following in the footsteps of his father (Mr. Kaname Yonamine, as known as Wally Yonamine) to become a second generation recipient.
On behalf of the distinguished guests, Governor Green delivered a congratulatory address, stating, "Mr. Yonamine’s leadership and accomplishments in the Hawaiʻi state government, the private sector, and U.S.-Japan relations have made a lasting contribution to our state. His contributions will continue to benefit the development of the State of Hawaiʻi not only today, but for generations to come."
The program for the Conferment Ceremony was as follows:
・Opening Remarks – Consul General Hideaki Chotoku
・Conferment of the Decoration – Consul General Hideaki Chotoku
・Recipient’s Speech – Mr. Paul Kaname Yonamine
・Congratulatory Message – Governor Josh Green, State of Hawaiʻi
・Kampai Toast –Mr. Bryan Yonamine
Mr. Paul Kaname Yonamine has been active for approximately 40 years in corporate leadership, public policy, and community engagement, dedicating himself to strengthening Japan-U.S. relations, particularly between Japan and Hawaiʻi. In particular, through his leadership role in the US-Japan Council, his efforts to promote people-to-people exchanges, his contributions to enhancing economic ties through corporate management and the financial sector, and his policy advisory roles for the State of Hawaiʻi and the City and County of Honolulu, he has made significant contributions to advancing mutual understanding and cooperation across economic, cultural, and educational fields between Japan and the United States.
At the ceremony, Consul General Chotoku congratulated Mr. Yonamine and expressed deep respect for his contributions to promoting friendship and goodwill between Japan and Hawaiʻi as well as Japan and the United States. He highlighted Mr. Yonamine’s leadership in businesses, as well as his role in advancing multi-layered exchanges and strengthening mutual understanding and trust between Japan and the United States.
In his speech, Mr. Yonamine explained his dedication to fostering Japan-U.S. relations through his work as a business person and economic advisor in various sectors and promoting people-to-people exchanges. He expressed that it was a great honor to receive a decoration, following in the footsteps of his father (Mr. Kaname Yonamine, as known as Wally Yonamine) to become a second generation recipient.
On behalf of the distinguished guests, Governor Green delivered a congratulatory address, stating, "Mr. Yonamine’s leadership and accomplishments in the Hawaiʻi state government, the private sector, and U.S.-Japan relations have made a lasting contribution to our state. His contributions will continue to benefit the development of the State of Hawaiʻi not only today, but for generations to come."
The program for the Conferment Ceremony was as follows:
・Opening Remarks – Consul General Hideaki Chotoku
・Conferment of the Decoration – Consul General Hideaki Chotoku
・Recipient’s Speech – Mr. Paul Kaname Yonamine
・Congratulatory Message – Governor Josh Green, State of Hawaiʻi
・Kampai Toast –Mr. Bryan Yonamine