UHERO

APEC 2011

Ties to Hawai‘i

Brief written by Nikola Komailevuka, UH Mānoa Economics undergraduate student, and does not necessarily reflect the views of UHERO or the University of Hawai‘i.

Singapore (APEC Secretariat): 6,720 milesAustralia: 5,232Brunei: 5,922Canada: 8,900Chile: 6,647China: 5,080Chinese Taipei: 5,044Hong Kong, China: 5,553Indonesia: 6,731Japan: 3,856Korea: 4,551Malaysia: 6,827Mexico: 3,790New Zealand: 4,411Papua New Guinea: 4,292The Philippines: 5,335Russia: 7,063Thailand: 6,600Viet Nam: 6,086

Distance from economies to Honolulu(from capitals in miles)

This article is part of a series featuring the 2011 APEC themes, available at uhero.hawaii.edu/74

THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS

Ties to APECThe Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation Leaders summit is coming to the

United States this November. It is, in many ways the definitive Asia-Pacific or-ganization. Hawai‘i is an integral part of the United States of America – stra-tegically and otherwise, will be host to the 21 leaders of the APEC member economies. APEC economies and the Hawai‘ian isles are statistically connected in significant ways such as tourism, trade and academia.

Tourism drives Hawai‘i’s economy. In 2009 for instance, foreign visitors from APEC member economies accounted for 89% of total foreign visitors to these islands. From Japan alone, the number tallied at approximately 1.1 million visi-tors.

In addition, 13 of the top 25 countries that receive exports from Hawai‘i are APEC member economies. Transportation equipment is the largest export commodity. To add to this it has a growing beverage and tobacco export market. Based on “point of origin” of the journey, Japan ranks as number one in receipt of export commodities from Hawai‘i . The “Grown in Hawai‘i” brand has gained exclusive recognition in foreign markets for its high quality – especially the Ca-nadian and Japanese markets. With a future based on expansion, these ties can only be predicted to strengthen with time.

With these economic ties already in place, now is a chance for the visiting leaders and their entourages to physically experience the island and discuss and deliberate in these surroundings.

Hawai‘i is “melting pot” of cultures, entertaining a fusion of different ways and levels of life. This has added to the unique setting that has developed in this island economy which offers much and more to visitors.

With a rich and vibrant culture and “island feel” this state is home to a multitude of races. With 38.8% of the population of Asian descent, the echoes of Asia have become a part of daily life in this economy, for instance the popular Spam Musubi which is made in the tradition of Japanese onigiri. The all-encompassing Hawai‘ian Pidgin, the Creole language of Hawai‘i developed by immigrants in the early 20th century, blends the linguistic traditions of the Asia Pacific region: with an inflexion from the Native Hawai‘ian language, grammatical structure from East Asia and numerous loan words from many languages. Pidgin is a hallmark of local culture.

UH Mānoa students represent their cultures in traditional attire at the annual East-West Fest. From Bottom Left to Right: Chinese Taipei, Peru and Indonesia.

Byodo-in Temple in Kahalu’u, O’ahu

Brief written by Nikola Komailevuka, UH Mānoa Economics undergraduate student, and does not necessarily reflect the views of UHERO or the University of Hawai‘i.

Diplomatic RelationsOn a diplomatic note, Honolulu

hosts a tirade of diplomatic mis-sions. Included in this are that of 10 APEC member economies – Aus-tralia, Chile, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Peru, Taipei, Thailand and Russia. Offering a variety of services ranging from issuances of Visa’s to simple travel advisories, these missions are set up to offer their citizens whatever support is required. Recognizing its unique geographical location, this location offers an ideal diplomatic location as a gateway into the west and the east – depending on which direc-tion you are headed.

ALL PHOTOS BY NIKOLA KOMAILEVUKA & JOSEPH BRIDER. Top: The Royal Sala Thai Pavillion was gifted to the East West Center in 1967 by the Thai Royal Family in recognition of the Center’s contribution to US-Thai relations. It is one of only four official royal pavillions outside of Thailand. Center: Thai students performing at a cultural event on the UH Mānoa campus. Bottom: A Filipino economics graduate student engages a child.

University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa The University of Hawai‘i’s flagship campus at Mānoa is

a haven for broadening mindsets. This is attributable to the vast variety of students present on campus – a vari-ety which translates into active discussions of different perspectives in a classroom setting.

UHM has invited students from around the globe as part of its exchange program, to study and grow academi-cally in this unique Hawai‘i setting. It has in place exchange agreements with 11 APEC member economies: Australia, Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Singapore, New Zealand, Taiwan, Thailand and Viet Nam. UH-Manoa’s Shidler College of Business introduced the Executive MBA Vietnam program in partnership with the International University and based out of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City in Viet Nam. Targeted at Executive Officers, this program has been especially tailored to suit the needs of that booming economy.

Moreover, for the academic year 2009 – 2010, the University sent 86 students abroad on exchange to the APEC region and received 87 students. Asian stu-dents make up 43.8% of the student population. The University’s relation with the East West Center has added to the cultivation of intercultural exchange be-tween students of the Asia Pacific region. Thus, the University sets a global level of experience for students and visiting students at the academic institution.

United States 4,280,286

Canada 346,583Russia 2,202China 41,924Chinese Taipei 8,536Hong Kong 4,910Indonesia 448Japan 1,168,000Korea 51,353Malaysia 182Philippines 3,016Singapore 3,655Thailand 576Mexico 6,908Chile 669Peru 730Australia 121,482New Zealand 15,234

APEC visitors to Hawai‘i

Data courtesy of DBEDT

Total APEC foreign visitors (excluding the U.S.): 1,776,407Total Foreign Visitors: 2,027,289Percentage of APEC foreign visitors: 88%