LIHU‘E — Peace and shaka signs blossomed in the cold winds that blanketed Kaua‘i High School on Thursday, when a group of 14 students from Japanese high schools met 20 students from the Kaua‘i High School Japanese Club for the first time during a local style dinner hosted by the club.
LIHU‘E — Peace and shaka signs blossomed in the cold winds that blanketed Kaua‘i High School on Thursday, when a group of 14 students from Japanese high schools met 20 students from the Kaua‘i High School Japanese Club for the first time during a local style dinner hosted by the club.
“This is peer-to-peer interaction,” said Nikki Cristobal of Kamawaelualani, who coordinated the group’s visit with the Learn by Experience Japan. “Dr. Addison Bulosan and I connected with the Japanese Club teacher who was very enthused about her students meeting the Japanese high school students.”
The Japanese students, most of whom had never visited Kaua‘i prior to this four-day trip, arrived on Thursday to fulfill requirements of experiencing a cultural exchange in order to graduate from their respective high schools.
Koichiro Kita, the trip coordinator with Learn by Experience Japan, said the students were scheduled to head to Hawai‘i Island on Sunday, Feb. 4.
“They chose to come to Kaua‘i over O‘ahu or Maui. The true reason for visiting is to explore opportunities for the students in Hawai‘i,” Kita said.
“One of their focuses is sustainability, and they chose Kaua‘i because it is so close to nature. I heard about all the activity with the volcano on the Big Island. I’m hoping volcano will erupt while we’re there, although I’m afraid we can’t go to the Halemaumau Crater.”
