Princess Sayako to promote
academic exchanges

Star-Bulletin staff

Japan's Princess Sayako, 30, the only daughter of Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, says she hopes her nine-day visit to the islands will foster academic exchanges between Japan and Hawaii.

She is tentatively scheduled to begin her visit with a 10:05 a.m. arrival Sunday at Honolulu Airport. Her itinerary includes:

Sunday: Bishop Museum, 3 p.m.; meeting Cherry Blossom Queens, 5 p.m.

Monday: Wreath-laying at Punchbowl, 9:25 a.m.; wreath laying at Monument for Japanese Immigrants, 9:50 a.m.; visiting Kuakini Health System, 10:20 a.m.; and courtesy call and lunch with Gov. and Mrs. Ben Cayetano, 11:50 a.m.; visit to Japanese Cultural Center, 3 p.m.

Tuesday: Visit University of Hawaii, 9 a.m.; luncheon hosted by Honolulu Mayor Jeremy Harris, 11:20 a.m.; visit Kamehameha Schools, 1:40 p.m.; visit Iolani Palace, 2:50 p.m.

Next Wednesday: Visit National Tropical Botanical Garden on Kauai, 10:55 a.m.; pass through Waimea Valley, 4 p.m.; welcome dinner hosted by Kauai Mayor Maryanne Kusaka.

Sept. 16: Leave Lihue Airport, 9:12 a.m., arrive Hilo Airport, 10:54 a.m.; wreath-laying at Ireito Memorial, 11:30 a.m.; welcome luncheon hosted by Japanese American Hawaii Island Community Association, noon; Japanese Immigration Museum, 2:30 p.m.; astronomical observation at Subaru Telescope, 8 p.m.

Sept. 17: Subaru Telescope opening ceremony, 10:50 a.m., followed by reception, 6:30 p.m.

Sept. 18: Leave Hilo Airport, 9:28 a.m., arrive Honolulu Airport, 10:15 a.m.; visit "Rainbow Gakuen," 11:20 a.m.; Prince Akihito Scholarship 40th Anniversary Ceremony, 2:30 p.m., followed by reception hosted by nine community groups, 6:30 p.m. (The scholarship was set up by the emperor in 1959 when the imperial couple got married.)

Sept. 19: Leave Honolulu Airport, 12:10 p.m.