We sent Taizo braden on an exclusive trip to find out about the business of flying north to Sapporo.
For the first time in almost a decade Japan‘s fourth largest city with a population of almost two million people has direct flight to Honolulu, Hawaii.
"Big news for Hawaii to have our home carrier Hawaiian fly to sapporo and it fits into our strategy," said Mike McCartney, Hawaii Tourism Authority.
The Hawaiian Airline flight will arrive three times a week and expects to bring 41,000 visitors to Hawaii each year.
"But Sapporo and Fukuoka are places that haven’t been served in a many years so we saw opportunity with the strong pull of japanese want to come visit hawaii and we think there is a great opportunity to be successful on these routes," said Peter Ingram, Hawaiian Airlines.
Compared to most Japanese city Sapporo is actually quite young only about 200 years old and it is laided out in a grid pattern very similar to New York City.
And like New York, Sapporo has significant banking, shopping and hi-tech manufacturing facilities.
But along with big business small Japanese businesses are looking forward to the economic boost from the flight.
Sapporo native Yoko Kimura owns the only Hula supply store on the entire island of Hokkaido.
"I love hawaiian Hula and I always want to share the Hawaiian culture here," said Kimura.
After being in business for 12 years she is sure that Sapporo residents will rush to Hawaii.
"So Hokkaido people love Hawaii so I am sure that a lot of Sapporo locals will go to Hawaii but I am not sure about Hawaiian locals coming here. I am sure they know about our festivals but I don’t know if they will know much else about Hokkaido," said Kimura.
Coming up tomorrow, we’ll travel the city to show you the big draws for Hawaii residents heading to the region.
See the original article at: KHON2 Local News
