Hiroshima-Honolulu Exchange
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Since 1961, students from the YMCA of Honolulu and Hiroshima YMCA have participated in a summer exchange program. Each year, the two YMCAs alternate sending student delegates to tour historical and cultural sites, visit dignitaries, and participate in homestays. This empowers youth to learn each other’s culture firsthand. The purpose of the teen program remains steady since its inception—to provide experiences for youth to build strong friendships that create lasting peace.
It was January 1960 when Neal Blaisdell, Mayor of Honolulu, and Shinzo Hamai, Mayor of Hiroshima, met to strengthen international understanding and friendship. What came forth from this meeting was a vow to work for peace, an opportunity for a lasting relationship as “Sister Cities,” and one of the strongest bonds of friendship.
Built on the foundation that had been laid, the Hiroshima YMCA proposed a student exchange program and the YMCA of Honolulu gladly accepted. In the summer of 1961, the first group of teens from Hiroshima came to Honolulu. After many years, the friendship of the two YMCAs, and the “Let’s Get Together!” Program, blossomed into what it is today.
“Let’s Get Together!” allows students of different backgrounds to experience diversity in cultures, social practices, environments, economies and lifestyles. Students are to work towards achieving the objectives honestly and openly.