We say “Mahalo” for the opportunity to bring East and West together through journalism.
My Korea-U.S. Journalists Exchange came full-circle with a concluding dialogue in Hawai`i and included rigorous discussion of the challenges and opportunities in covering the U.S.-Korea bilateral relationship, the state of journalism in both countries, and the political landscape of the Indo-Pacific.
I’ve been a fellow since my first program in 2018, but have not had an opportunity to visit until now.
The East-West Center’s headquarters in Honolulu is situated on a 21-acre campus at the University of Hawai`i at Mānoa, with buildings designed by famed architect I.M. Pei.
The East-West Center is an education and research organization established by the U.S. Congress in 1960 to strengthen relations and understanding among the nations of Asia, the Pacific, and the United States. The Center promotes the development of a stable, prosperous, and peaceful Asia Pacific community through cooperative study, training, and research. Funding for the Center comes from the U.S. government, with additional support provided by private agencies, individuals, corporations, and Asia and Pacific governments.
This opportunity to engage in candid conversations with our Korean counterparts provided valuable insight and more cultural exchange.
For many in our cohort, this experience was the first time in each other’s home countries and our first exposure to Hawaiian culture.
I know this East-West Center “Ohana” will stay connected long beyond this incredible experience!
The views expressed in this blog do not necessarily reflect the views of KLTV/KTRE-TV or Gray Media. They are solely the opinion of the author. All content © Copyright 2026 Lane Luckie
