Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell will travel to Hawaiʻi on June 6-7 to attend the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture (FestPAC). During his visit, he will hold bilateral meetings with leaders and ministers from Pacific Island nations and participate in various FestPAC cultural events and ceremonies. The aim is to demonstrate the United States’ commitment to strengthening ties with the Pacific region through public diplomacy.
Campbell will be accompanied by Deputy Assistant to the President and Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander liaison Erika Moritsugu, as well as representatives from several U.S. government agencies including the National Security Council, Department of Interior, National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Peace Corps, and USAID.
One key event on Campbell’s agenda is attending a signing ceremony that will establish a Sister City relationship between Honolulu, Hawaiʻi, and Rarotonga, Cook Islands. This partnership is part of the “7 for 70” Initiative announced by the White House and Sister Cities International at last year’s U.S.-Pacific Islands Forum Summit.
Additionally, Campbell will join Hawaiʻi Governor Josh Green in delivering keynote remarks at policy roundtables with Pacific leaders, ministers, and delegates. He will also meet with participants of the Young Pacific Leaders network. This network aims to bring together young individuals from across the Pacific region to develop new connections, advance leadership skills, and create opportunities for collaboration in addressing regional and global challenges.
