Half Moon Bay Sister City Association

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The Half Moon Bay - Kariwa Sister City Association was officially established in 1992 and is based on student exchanges between Half Moon Bay and its "Sister City" Kariwa, Japan. Kariwa-Village is similar to Half Moon Bay in that they are both coastal towns with similar size, populations, and demographics.  The program consists of an alternating annual exchanges of two or more high school students, resulting in a greater understanding and appreciation of our two nations and their cultures.  Our student “Ambassadors” whom we send to Japan often have life-changing experiences that they bring back to Half Moon Bay!

The Sister City Program runs on a two-year cycle. The first year, HMB students travel to Japan and typically stay with more than one host family. American students may spend each week with a different host family, creating a wide breadth of experiences. The students stay with their Japanese families from about the last week in July through mid-August. The students are required to make a presentation to the Sister City Committee upon their return from Japan and is usually poignant and personal. Many describe their homestays in Japan as "Life-Changing."

The following summer, Japanese students travel to Half Moon Bay to learn about life in Half Moon Bay and beyond. Host families are often the families of students who have gone to Kariwa or would like to go in the future, but that is not always the case. Host families can be anyone in the community that shares a love of the coastside and would like to participate. The committee hosts a welcome party for the Japanese students' and a sayonara (farwell) party at the end of their stay. Many times photos of the visit are shared, as are many thank you's and tears of joy. Throughout their stay here, the host families are free to determine the activities of the student delegates. Many travel to San Francisco and the Bay Area tourist sites to expose the students to as much American life as possible. Many times, camping, hiking, going to the beach or the redwoods is on the agenda for the students.

Testimonials

Tom Wilkins- Founder
I personally have a deep love for Japan and its people, having lived in Japan for more than 10 years. First as an English Teacher in Utsunomiya, Tochigi-Ken, then as a director of the Tokyo American Club, in Azabu-dai, Minato-ku, Tokyo. Since my family and I moved to HMB directly from Tokyo in 1989, it was my dream to put together this Sister City structure with a similar town in Japan, one that shared common traits and demographic statistics. We were so fortunate to have made this relationship with Kariwa-mura official in 1992 and are incredibly pleased with the way our friendship has blossomed over the years.