Though they’ve yet to meet face to face, international friendship is blossoming between students at Hawaii Community College in Hilo and those from the Hiroshima University of Economics. What else but friendship describes a relationship with someone willing to invest sweat equity into getting you somewhere?

That somewhere is Japan, and those trying to get there are Hilo students in Hawaii CC’s Career and Technical Education program, where they learn carpentry, welding and culinary skills, plus more.

“The Hiroshima school approached us and proposed a cross-visitation,” said Carrie Mospens, adviser of the Hawaii Community College Culture Club. Mospens, the school’s English as a Second Language program coordinator, is in charge of all education-related cultural exchanges and study-abroad programs.

“We wear many hats at this school,” she said.

Hawaii CC accepted Hiroshima’s proposal, and Japanese students will arrive on the Big Island on Thursday. Slated for their visit: observing classes and learning to make pizza from Hilo culinary students.

But the Hiroshima group suggested one more activity: throwing an okonomiyaki festival, Hiroshima style, to benefit their Hawaii peers’ trip. Okonomiyaki is a Japanese savory pancake. While many preparations call for incorporating various items into the batter, Hiroshima okonomiyaki layers each item on top of the pancake instead.

Hawaii CC agreed, and the festival will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the school’s Manono campus. Hiroshima students will also take part in an origami workshop, and the Puna Taiko group will perform. Tickets, available at the Hawaii CC Information Center, are $5. Call 934-2800.