KizunAloha Coalition Convenes Japanese Related Business Leaders to Spearhead Hawaii Tourism Recovery Efforts

The KizunAloha Coalition is a cross-sector group of companies, government agencies and nonprofits spanning both Hawaii and Japan. The Central Pacific Bank Foundation is proud to be among these organizations who are together spearheading a communications campaign to reach approximately 10 million Japanese consumers.

Click To View Official Video Message from Hawaii Gov. David Ige 

Click To View Share Aloha Video (English just for reference) 

HONOLULU — APRIL 24, 2020 — The KizunAloha coalition, composed of more than 20 companies, government agencies and nonprofits based in Hawaii and Japan, today unveiled a communications campaign designed to support future economic recovery efforts by engaging the Japanese market during the coronavirus pandemic. KizunAloha, which combines the Japanese word “kizuna” (meaning bond or connection) and the Hawaiian word “aloha” (meaning love or compassion), represents the deep connection between the two cultures, reflected in Japan’s status as Hawaii’s largest international market.

While the state has currently imposed a 14-day quarantine for all incoming travelers and has asked visitors to postpone their trips to the island until the threat of COVID-19 has been contained, this campaign is designed to encourage economic recovery by continuing to connect and engage with the Japanese market through virtual content.

The campaign launched with an official video message from Hawaii Gov. David Ige thanking Japanese consumers for their understanding and support as the state responds to the ongoing coronavirus situation with travel restrictions and quarantine measures. Additional videos, which will be released to approximately 10 million Japanese consumers through the coalition’s networks in April and May, will highlight Hawaii as a world-class destination not only for tourism but for business investment.

“The road to economic recovery will be long and difficult, but we believe it must start now by cultivating those special connections we have with Japan, even when we can’t physically welcome them,” said Paul Yonamine, executive chairman of Central Pacific Bank. “Our goal is to remain top of mind among Japanese consumers and remind them that our culture, food, music, and history — what they know and love about Hawaii — will be here for them in the future when it’s safe to come and visit again.”

The following organizations are contributing funding, marketing resources or network outreach through the KizunAloha campaign:

• aio Foundation
• All Nippon Airways Co., Ltd.
• ANA Sales Americas
• Central Pacific Bank Foundation
• Department of Business and Economic Development and Tourism
• Halekulani Corporation
• Hankyu Travel International Co., Ltd.
• Hawaiʻi Executive Collaborative
• Hawaii News Now
• Hawaiʻi Lodging and Tourism Association
• Hawaiʻi Tourism Japan
• Hawaii HIS Corporation
• Japan Airlines Co., Ltd.
• JALPAK International Hawaii, Inc.
• Japan Hawaii Travel Association
• JCB International Credit Card Co., Ltd.
• JTB Hawaii Inc.
• Kyo-ya Company, LLC Kokusai Kogyo Group
• Kintetsu International Express Hawaii Company
• KZOO Radio
• MajiConnection
• Nippon Travel Agency Hawaii, Inc.
• Prince Resorts Hawaii, Inc.
• State of Hawaiʻi
• TTA, Inc. dba Tobu Top Tours Co., Ltd.

“KizunAloha is an unprecedented effort that unites our industry in the spirit of helping in times of crisis,” Hiroyuki Kitagawa, president of the Japan Hawaii Travel Association. “We all understand the importance of this campaign and are coming together to face one of toughest challenges to our livelihoods.”