HUALIEN, TAIWAN (MERXWIRE) - County of Hawaiʻi Mayor C. Kimo Alameda arrived in Hualien on April 23, leading a delegation to celebrate and strengthen a half-century of partnership. In a meeting with Hualien County Mayor Hsu Chen-Wei, the two leaders signed a Proclamation of Affirmation, pledging deeper cooperation in disaster resilience, sustainable tourism, and youth exchange, marking 55 years of trans-Pacific friendship. Mayor Hsu noted during the ceremony that the County of Hawaiʻi was Hualien’s first sister city, established in 1971. “This partnership has spanned over half a century and carries profound historical significance,” Hsu said. Welcoming Mayor Alameda on his inaugural visit to Hualien, she praised Hawaiʻi’s reputation as a world-class tourism leader. Hsu highlighted Hualien’s current initiative to integrate tourism, agriculture, and senior care into a comprehensive “wellness industry,” expressing her commitment to ongoing bilateral learning in urban governance. In a heartfelt response, Mayor Alameda remarked that the two regions are “one family,” noting the tight-knit bond evidenced by the approximately 4,000 Taiwanese residents currently living in Hawaiʻi. Reflecting on his first day, Alameda shared his admiration for the TCC DAKA Renewable Factory. He noted that while cement is traditionally a high-emission heavy industry, TCC’s transition to circular economy technologies was “deeply inspiring.” He expressed a keen interest in bringing Hualien’s expertise in waste management and carbon reduction back to Hawaiʻi. Mayor Alameda also lauded Hualien’s disaster-prevention training facilities as the most comprehensive he has encountered, noting that such international-caliber equipment is essential for training firefighters to serve as local heroes. Of Indigenous heritage himself, the Mayor felt a strong cultural resonance while experiencing Hualien’s Indigenous cuisine and coastal stone-balancing art. He described the latter as more than just an aesthetic pursuit, but a “healing energy” that connects mental wellness with the natural world. The centerpiece of the visit was the formal signing of the Proclamation of Affirmation with Mayor Hsu. Building on five decades of mutual respect, the document commits both counties to active knowledge-sharing in disaster mitigation, the promotion of sustainable travel, and the fostering of youth exchanges, ensuring the bridge of friendship between Hualien and the County of Hawaiʻi remains vibrant for generations to come. Throughout the summit, Hualien departmental heads presented policy successes in social welfare, wastewater treatment, and health promotion. Both leaders concluded the meeting by pledging to maintain frequent communication and expand the scope of their sister-city cooperation.

Media Contacts: Hualien County Government Li Guan-Ting +886-3-8227171 [email protected] SOURCE: Hualien County Government