The beginning of Haari Boat Races in Hawaii started with a dream when members of the Hawaii United Okinawa Association (HUOA) went to Okinawa on a study tour and paddled in the Itoman Haari Boat Race in 1986. On April 9, 1986, the Hawaii County Council approved a sister city resolution between Nago City and Hawaii County. On June 13, 1986 a delegation from Hilo joined the HUOA tour to Nago to attend the sister city ceremony in Nago City.