H.C.R. 83 Summary

• Requests the Governor of Hawaii to establish a sister state relationship between Hawaii and the Riau Islands Province of Indonesia, a province with 2,408 islands and approximately 1.39 million residents.

• Identifies mutual benefits including cooperation on education (Riau Islands developing a university system similar to Hawaii's community colleges), environmental conservation (coral reef and endangered species preservation), and infrastructure expertise (water, waste disposal, and civil engineering).

• Aligns with the U.S.-Indonesia Comprehensive Partnership initiative and proposes creating a Hawaii-based regional center for international finance and foreign policy focused on the Pacific-Asia region.

• Notes the Hawaii Sister State Committee unanimously approved the Riau Islands application on October 16, 2009, with support from the Indonesian Honorary Consul, Indonesia-Hawaii Chamber of Commerce, Department of Defense, and University of Hawaii specialists.

• Requires certified copies be transmitted to the President of the United States, President of Indonesia, Secretary of State, Governor of Hawaii, Governor of Riau Islands Province, and various diplomatic and business organizations.