It’s been 47 years since the Japan Training Squadron was last in the Port of Hilo.
It’s been 47 years since the Japan Training Squadron was last in the Port of Hilo.
The naval squadron of about 750 officers and crew, including 169 newly commissioned officers, arrived in the port Saturday morning for two days of cultural events.
The training cruise began in May for the sailors, and visited 15 ports in North and South America before its final stop in Hilo.
Rear Adm. Yasuki Nakahata, Training Squadron commander, told the Tribune-Herald the purpose of the cruise is to improve officers’ training skills through at-sea exercises. He said it also is a way to strengthen their “international sense” as they visit new ports.
A reception for more than 200 Big Island residents was hosted Saturday evening aboard the JS Kashima, one of three ships that is part of the training cruise. The reception was co-hosted by the Consulate General of Japan in Honolulu. Consul General Yasushi Misawa attended the event, as did Honorary Consul General Arthur Taniguchi of Hilo.
Prior to the event, the naval officers attended a memorial ceremony at Alae Cemetery to honor the first generation of Japanese on the Big Island.
On Sunday, the Navy band performed at Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium in Hilo.
“We hope this visit will strengthen the ties between Hawaii and Japan,” Nakahata told reception attendees Saturday.