For more than 40 years, Stryker Weiner & Yokota Public Relations, Inc. (SWAY), has built a strong reputation in Hawaii for its expertise on local issues. While local knowledge is still an essential need for many of our clients based in Honolulu or relocating a business to our state—having a global perspective and access to counsel from a network of communications and public relations experts from across the globe has never been more important than now—during this time of unprecedented change in our world.

We have found value in working with several Worldcom partners over the years. We partnered with AZ.WORLDCOM JAPAN Co., Ltd., for more than 10 years on Shinnyo Lantern Floating Hawaii—the largest Memorial Day observance in the U.S.

Before COVID-19, this annual event held in Honolulu would draw more than 50,000 residents and visitors from across the globe—mainly from Japan—to honor fallen service members and loved ones who have passed with 7,000 candle-lit lanterns bearing remembrances and prayers set afloat in the ocean at sunset. The organizers are Shinnyo-en, a Buddhist sect based in Japan with members around the world, and Na Lei Aloha Foundation, the secular, community-building arm of the Shinnyo-en Buddhist community in Hawaii. Working with Worldcom partner AZ.WORLDCOM JAPAN Co., Ltd., based in Japan, was important in ensuring messaging about the event was accurate and respectful to both Japanese and Hawaiian cultures, and the U.S. Military since the event is held on Memorial Day. The event is generously covered each year by local media in Hawaii and Japan—as well as national U.S. press.

In 2009, President Obama selected Hawaii as the location for the annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) 2011 Leaders’ Week meetings, a global gathering of 21 Asia-Pacific economies last hosted by the U.S. in 1993. In the history of our state, this was the first time Hawaii had hosted an event of this magnitude and prestige. Approximately a year in advance of the meetings, the APEC 2011 Hawaii Host Committee was formed to take a leadership role in supporting the U.S. Department of State’s (DOS) efforts to make APEC Leaders’ Week in Hawaii a success. SWAY was retained to develop and implement a comprehensive communications program to support the Host Committee’s strategic goals that included engaging the local community and repositioning Hawaii as a premier destination to conduct business. We engaged several Worldcom partners in Asia who provided invaluable access to media in their respective markets and helped deliver Hawaii’s message to the world.

During these challenging times it’s invaluable to have access to local knowledge and best practices from experienced leaders across the globe. All the agencies in this network have gone through rigorous vetting and their leaders have become trusted resources and friends of SWAY. We look forward to emerging from this crisis working alongside our fellow #WorldcomStrong partners.