What's Being Discussed
The Hawaiʻi Sister-State and International Partnerships Commission is holding its meeting on Monday, September 28, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. The meeting will cover several organizational and policy topics for this commission, which oversees Hawaiʻi's formal relationships with other states and countries.

Commission budget and administrative procedures, including expense reimbursements and required ethics filings for commission members.
Review of Act 158 (2025) — a state law that defines what areas the commission is responsible for.
Review of Act 181 (2026) — a newer state law that defines what counts as an "international partnership."
Sister State relationships — discussing how Hawaiʻi selects and maintains formal partnerships with other states or regions around the world.
Inventory of Hawaiʻi's existing international relations — taking stock of current international connections.
Upcoming events that require commission participation.

Decisions Expected
The commission is expected to form several Permitted Interaction Groups (PIGs) — small working groups allowed under state law to research specific topics outside of full meetings. These groups would investigate:

The commission's areas of responsibility under Act 158
The definition and scope of international partnerships under Act 181
The process for selecting and keeping Sister State relationships

Who Should Pay Attention

Businesses and organizations with international trade or cultural ties to Hawaiʻi
Community groups involved in Hawaiʻi's Sister State or Sister City programs
Residents interested in how Hawaiʻi manages its global relationships and diplomacy