Big Island to take part in Japan expo

Big Island to take part in Japan expo

The Big Island Visitors Bureau will participate in the Aichi Expo in Nagoya, Japan May 17-23.

The theme for this year's expo is Nature's Wisdom, and the island plans to showcase its assets.

Applegate and Margo Mau, the bureau's director of Japan sales, will attend the event. Hawaiian cultural expert Nalani Kanakaole, fashion designer Sig Zane and kumu hula Nani Lim Yap along with seven dancers from Na Lei o Kaholoku will take part in the tour.

Along with the Big Island hula group, 60 Japanese hula halau will be performing at the Aichi Expo.

In addition to the dancing, the bureau will broadcast nature videos filmed on the Big Island.

"With the start of direct JAL Kona service a number of years ago, we diversified our visitor product to attract Japanese travelers to the Big Island," said Big Island Visitors Bureau Executive Director George Applegate.

Japan Airlines flies daily direct flights from Tokyo to Kona International Airport.

"We've succeeded in gaining market share and Hawaii's Big Island now attracts more Japanese visitors than any other island with the exception of Oahu," he said.

The Big Island received 216,153 visitors from Japan last year.