"Pilialoha" (pee-lee-aw-loh-ha) is the Hawaiian word for "friendship."

The Deaf communities of Japan and the United States would seem to have little in common, but in fact, the similarities between them are more remarkable than the differences. They share a common experience of oppression. Most Japanese schools for the deaf employ a rigidly oral methodology, and are, of course, run by hearing administrators and teachers. The two communities also share a common bond of Deaf experience—a hunger to communicate, connect, and celebrate their sign languages and sign-languaged-based artistry: storytelling, theater, and folklore.

The Deaf Pilialoha Conference is the first of its kind. It aims to bring together Deaf Japanese and American people in the spirit of friendship and interchange. The focus will be on sharing our cultures, sign languages, and histories.

The Conference will include workshops, tours, informal chats, and fun events. On Thursday evening, December 17, MSM Productions, Ltd. will celebrate its 25th anniversary with a gala banquet. On the following day, there will be a special farewell cruise/dinner. And since you'll be staying on Waikiki Beach, don't forget to pack sunglasses and sunblock!

To ensure a comfortable and enjoyable experience, attendance will be limited to 200—100 Japanese and 100 Americans.