Minister of Tourism, the Hon. Albert Nicholas, will this week welcome Hawai'i State Senator Dru Mamo Kanuha and his delegation to the Cook Islands.
This week's visit follows earlier officials level talks held in Tahiti in May last year between Prime Minister, the Hon. Mark Brown, and Senator Kanuha to initiate the first inaugural Hawaiian Airlines flight between Honolulu and Rarotonga.
Minister Nicholas said he was delighted to be able to welcome Senator Kanuha and his delegation of Government and Hawaiian Airlines officials to the Cook Islands for in-person bilateral discussions and the arrival of the first inaugural Hawaiian Airlines flight.
"I am delighted to be able to welcome Hawai'i State Senator Kanuha and his delegation to the Cook Islands this week, to continue discussions held in Tahiti in May last year between Senator Kanuha and Prime Minister Brown," said Minister Nicholas.
"The Cook Islands and Hawai'i share deep cultural links and connections, which are bound together by Te-Moana-Nui-o-Kiva, with this visit also reaffirming the Cook Islands' willingness to reconnect shared history between our two countries."
During his visit, Senator Kanuha and his delegation will engage in a series of meetings with key stakeholders on the island of Rarotonga and Aitutaki.
Minister Nicholas will host Senator Kanuha and his delegation on arrival in Rarotonga, to lay the foundation for their following engagements which also includes a special visit to the island of Aitutaki.