There shall be established the Hawaii sister-state committee, to be placed within the department of business, economic development, and tourism for administrative purposes only, consisting of five members appointed by the governor as provided in § 26-34.

The purpose of the committee shall be to advise the governor and the legislature on matters relating to sister-state or province relations and relations, in general, between the State and the states or provinces of foreign countries. The governor shall appoint five members, one member from each of five lists of nominees submitted respectively by the following:

A chair and vice chair of the committee shall be appointed by the committee members from among themselves. Members shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for expenses, including travel expenses, necessary for the performance of their duties.