2nd Annual Dialogue and Friendship Dinner

MC Rep. Awana delivering the opening remarks.

Last night, the House Committee on International Affairs, in cooperation with Governor Neil Abercrombie and the Pacifica Institute, hosted the 2nd Annual Dialogue and Friendship Dinner at Washington Place. These gatherings are organized to facilitate positive interactions between cultural and religious leaders, scholars, activists, artists, and elected officials.

Attendees joining hands for a pule before dinner.

The Pacifica Institute, established in 2003 as a nonprofit organization by a group of Turkish-Americans, designs and executes projects covering social welfare, education, poverty, and conflict resolution issues. Pacifica Institute works to build positive connections between communities in order to achieve mutual understanding and commitment for cross-cultural awareness and the good of society.

Governor Abercrombie was given a beautiful Turkish calligraphy from the Pacifica Institute.

"Events like these create a positive environment for the dialogue necessary to achieve a genuine understanding and cooperation between people from different backgrounds and cultures," said Rep. Karen Awana, Chair of the House Committee on International Affairs. "Hawaii's melting pot makes us an ideal location to gather for these occasions." 

Rep. Awana receiving a token of appreciation for making the event possible.

Hawai'i Becomes Sister-State With Rabat-Sale-Zemmour-Zaer, Morocco

Governor Abercrombie, the Moroccan delegation, Reps. Awana and Hashem

Aloha and asalaam alaikum! Yesterday, Governor Neil Abercrombie and M. Bouamor Taghouan, President of the Rabat-Sale-Zemmour-Zaer Region Council, Kingdom of Morocco formally entered into a sister-state relationship between their two states.

Governor Abercrombie and President Taghouan signing the agreement

This union took several years of hard work to come to fruition. House Committee on International Relations Chair, Rep. Karen Awana, took the lead in assuring that the agreement was actualized and, along with Vice-Chair, Rep. Mark Hashem, was present for the signing.

"Establishing this relationship with Rabat-Sale-Zemmour-Zaer marks a milestone for Hawaiian international relations and opens a gateway of friendship between our state and North Africa," said Rep. Awana.

Rep. Awana presenting a proclamation to the Moroccan delegation

The Moroccan delegation that came to Hawai'i for this historic signing included Ambassador to the United States, Mohamed Rachad Bouhlal; Moroccan Minister of Interior, Saad Hassar; President of the Rabat-Sale-Zemmour-Zaer Region Council, M. Bouamor Taghouan; Director General of the Agency of the South, Ahmed Hajji; and Secretary General of Economic and Social Council of Morocco, Driss Guerraoui.

Groundbreaking ceremony for the Moroccan fountain

To commemorate this momentous occasion, the Kingdom of Morocco has generously donated a fountain to the people of Hawai'i. Groundbreaking for the construction of the fountain occurred yesterday afternoon at the Hawai't State Art Museum. 

Hawaii's French community honored by Legislature's recognition

A small red, white and blue flag waved proud francophone's into a small room today to celebrate and honor the recent marriage of France's President Nicolas Sarkozy and former Italian model Carla Bruni.

Photo: Rep. Awana, French Honorary Consul Patricia Y. Lee, Rep. Cabanilla.

A goblet full of French citizens who have made Hawaii their home and other lovers of the culture eagerly welcomed each other with a "Bonjour" and a smile this morning. They draped large flags representing France and the European Union over tables and excitedly took group pictures to remember the momentous day. Although a small group, their energy reverberated throughout the Capitol. They were delighted to be there, but even more pleased that their community was being recognized by the State Legislature.

"This certificate shows that they [lawmakers] care about the French people." Magda Alexander, a French language teacher at the Academia Language School in Honolulu, said, "We are very proud about being acknowledged by the State of Hawaii.

Rep. Rida Cabanilla and Rep. Karen Awana presented a congratulatory certificate signed by members of the House for President Sarkozy to Honolulu's French Honorary Consul Patricia Y. Lee, an attorney and partner with Goodsill lawfirm.

French Admiral Frederic Maurice, the Commander in Chief of all French military forces in the Pacific, will present the certificate to the president when he visits Tahiti in the near future.

"We are very honored, despite the long distance from Hawaii, that Rep. Cabanilla chose to recognize the French president in such a special way," Lee said.

Photo: Rep. Cabanilla welcomes the Hawaii's francophone's to the Capitol.

Rep. Cabanilla to honor the marriage of French president

Rep. Rida Cabanilla, chair of the Committee on International Affairs, will congratulate and honor French President Nicolas Sarkozy for his recent marriage to Carla Bruni, an Italian model-turned-pop-singer.

Patricia Y. Lee, French Honorary Consul of Honolulu, will accept a congratulatory certificate on behalf of President Sarkozy.

When: Friday, Feb. 29, 11:30 p.m.

Where: State Capitol, Rm. 312