Advertisement - Click to support our sponsors.

By Craig T. Kojima, Star-Bulletin
Japanese Consul General Gotaro Ogawa pauses in the
middle of another busy day at the Japanese Consulate.
Ogawa, who is leaving the position after 28 months,
says Hawaii could attract more Japanese visitors by
offering hula lessons and other culturally
meaningful activities.

Isles could entice
more tourists, says
outgoing Japanese
consul general

---

By Suzanne Tswei
Star-Bulletin

Hawaii is no mere tourist paradise with its sunny climate, blue oceans and sandy beaches, says Japanese Consul General Gotaro Ogawa. The islands also are blessed with a variety of cultural traditions and multitude of unique flora and fauna.

Reflecting on his impression of the islands after a 28-month tour, Ogawa said Hawaii should utilize assets such as hula to enrich the tourist experience.

Ogawa, who has been with the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs for 32 years, will return to Japan next month. He will be honored tonight in a farewell dinner by The Japan-America Society of Hawaii at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel.

"I have been greatly impressed by the great interest and enthusiasm in Hawaii to have more tourists from Japan. But I have the impression tourism here has been repeating the same tourist menus -- the beautiful nature and wonderful climate," Ogawa said.

Hawaii would benefit from tour packages that provide a learning and educational experience, he said. For example, there is a great deal of interest among Japanese women to learn hula. Tour companies can organize tour packages that offer hula lessons that would not only entice more visitors to come to Hawaii but also provide them with a more meaningful visit.

Opportunities for children to engage in soccer and baseball also offer more tourism opportunities, he said. The sports are popular in Japan but ball parks are limited. Hawaii would be smart to offer tours for Japanese children and their parents to come play with Hawaii children.

While crime against Japanese tourists had been a issue with his predecessor, the incidents have leveled off. Ogawa said he has been impressed by efforts by government and police officials to curb crime against Japanese tourists, who number about 2 million to Hawaii yearly.

One of his foremost duties in Hawaii is to continue the good relationship between the American military and Japanese defense forces by keeping in touch with Commander in Chief Pacific, or CINCPAC, the largest unified command of American military, Ogawa said.

The informal atmosphere and distance from Washington D.C. have helped him maintain close ties between CINCPAC and Japanese self defense leaders, Ogawa said.

Ogawa said he will miss Hawaii's mild climate that has allowed him to golf, jog and engage in other outdoor sports. But he will miss most of all the warmth of the people and the wearing of aloha shirts.

Ogawa's replacement will be Minoru Shibuya, 53, who has been with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs since 1970. Shibuya has been the deputy director-general of the North American Affairs Bureau since last year.