WAILUKU, MAUI, HAWAII – Exchange students from Miyakojima City, Japan visited the Maui County Council Chamber today for a crash course on policy-making and poi pounding.
The Maui County Council’s presiding officer uses a pohaku ku’i, or “poi pounder,” in place of the traditional gavel.
Council Vice-Chair Robert Carroll welcomed the group and entertained several questions. He was joined by Councilmembers Mike White, Stacy Crivello and Don Guzman.
The students were particularly interested in the poi pounder and the Maui County “blue” flag, displayed together with the U.S and the Hawaiian flags.
The students are staying with local host families for a week-long exposure with Maui High School. The student-exchange program with Miyakojima City has brought students to Maui County for four consecutive years.
Miyakojima City (formerly Hirara City) of Miyako Island in Okinawa, Japan has been a Sister City of the County of Maui since 1965.
The Maui County Sister Cities Foundation website has a list of sister cities for Maui County.
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