TOMODACHI Kibou for Maui Program
The TOMODACHI Kibou for Maui is a program to provide support to high school students, directly affected by the devastating wildfire in Maui that occurred in August 2023. By sending these students to Japan, specifically Higashi Matsushima city, the program offers a week-long journey of healing, cultural exchange, and connection with peers who survived and overcame the challenges caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011.
With a uniquely designed and developed curriculum specially for this program, which will include mindset preparation, historical understanding, rebuilding insights, sustainability initiatives, and cultural activities, the program not only fosters recovery but also ensures lasting connections, support and development for Maui’s future generations.
“Kibou for Maui” envisions a resilient community, drawing inspiration from the shared strength of Maui and Tohoku.
TOMODACHI Kibou for Maui Program 2024
The Second Cohort of the TOMODACHI Kibou for Maui Program Visited Tohoku
From July 22 to 26, the second cohort of the TOMODACHI Kibou for Maui Program visited the Tohoku region including Higashimatsushima City, Onagawa Town, and Rikuzentakata City to learn about the reconstruction process and the leadership taken during the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011. Ten high school students from Lahaina, Island of Maui, who were impacted by the wildfires in August 2023, interacted with local leaders, community members and TOMODACHI alumni.
Participants spent a week in the Tohoku region to learn from local experts and community members who are making positive changes in their communities. In Higashimatsushima, they were welcomed by city hall officials, including Mayor Atsumi and Deputy Mayor Yagi and visited the 3.11 Higashimatsushima Earthquake Disaster Reconstruction Memorial Museum. They learned about the impact of the natural disasters and also visited a local disaster preparation warehouse which serves as a home base stocked with survival kits and supplies for residents in case of another disaster. Read More>>
TOMODACHI Kibou for Maui Program Welcomes High School Students from Hawaii in Tohoku
From March 17 to 24, 2024, the TOMODACHI Kibou for Maui Program was held, and 11 high school students from Lahaina, Islands of Maui, visited the Tohoku region, including Higashimatsushima-shi, Ishinomaki-shi, Onagawa-cho, and Matsushima, Miyagi Prefecture, to learn about the reconstruction process and also the leadership taken during the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011. Students interacted with local fishermen, farmers, and community members and participated with TOMODACHI alumni and local high school students.
On March 19, the welcome reception took place in Higashimatsushima-shi, Miyagi Prefecture and the participants, along with more than 40 guests from Ministry of Foreing Affairs of Japan, Higashimatsushima City Government, Sendai-shi, Higashimatsushima-shi, and local community members, attended the event. Read More＞＞
