County of Hawaiʻi Mayor C. Kimo Alameda Visits Hualien, Praises Sustainable Governance

(中央社訊息服務20260424 14:41:45)County of Hawaiʻi Mayor C. Kimo Alameda is leading a delegation to Hualien for a four-day sister-city exchange from April 22 to 25. Following a courtesy call with Hualien County Mayor Hsu Chen-Wei, Alameda and his team toured the county’s renewable resource recycling center and disaster prevention education center today (April 23). The visit underscores a shared commitment to sustainable governance and resilient urban development while deepening the historic ties between the two sister cities.

Noting the geographic parallels between Hualien and Hawaiʻi Island, Mayor Hsu emphasized that both regions face the unique challenges of limited resources and frequent natural disasters. These shared realities, she explained, give both sides immense potential for meaningful collaboration on environmental governance and disaster preparedness. Hsu welcomed Alameda’s visit so soon after he took office, calling it a testament to the high regard Hawaiʻi County holds for this partnership and a robust foundation for continued cooperation.

The delegation’s itinerary included an in-depth tour of the TCC DAKA Renewable Resource Recycling Center—featuring the architecturally striking Nautilus Bibliotheca—as well as the Hualien Disaster Prevention Education Center. The Hawaiʻi officials received an up-close look at Hualien’s achievements in household waste management, circular economy initiatives, and comprehensive disaster response mechanisms, including early warning systems and public education programs. According to the Hualien County Government, island communities inevitably face intense pressure regarding resource management alongside complex natural hazards, such as earthquakes, typhoons, geothermal shifts, and volcanic activity. By exchanging expertise in resource-circulation technology, disaster preparedness, public education, and interagency emergency response, both regions are actively working together to bolster their urban resilience and sustainable governance capabilities.

Members of the Hawaiʻi delegation were visibly impressed by the state-of-the-art recycling facility, remarking that it was “hard to imagine finding a library like this in the mountains.” They praised the center’s innovative applications of thermal energy and its robust circular-economy framework as excellent models to study. Furthermore, the delegation commended the facility's commitment to prioritizing employment rights and economic opportunities for neighboring Indigenous communities.

The bond between the two regions dates back to 1971, when Hawaiʻi County became Hualien’s first sister city. In recent years, the two sides have strengthened mutual visits through the development of Austronesian cultural connections. In 2024, Mayor Hsu led a county government delegation, along with 12 artists and cultural representatives, to the Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture in Hawaiʻi. This expanded cooperation across tourism, culture, environment, and industry, while both sides further solidified their partnership through a Proclamation of Affirmation. With this year marking the 55th anniversary of this enduring alliance, Mayor Alameda’s visit carries profound historic significance, symbolizing the continuation of a long-standing friendship. Looking forward, the Hualien County Government remains dedicated to advancing international sister-city collaborations, firmly establishing Hualien as a highly livable community defined by environmental sustainability, safety, and resilience, bringing Hualien to greater international attention.