Honolulu, on Oahu’s south shore, is the main gateway to Hawaii and a major gateway into the United States. The city is a major hub for international business, military defense, as well as famously being host to a diverse variety of east-west and Pacific culture, cuisine, and traditions. The name Honolulu means "sheltered harbor" or "calm port".

Victoria, capital of British Columbia, is located near the southern tip of Vancouver Island. With abundant parkland, it’s known for outdoor activities. Named after Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom and, at the time, British North America, Victoria is one of the oldest cities in the Pacific Northwest, with British settlement beginning in 1843. Known as the "The Garden City", Victoria is also an attractive city and a popular tourism destination with a thriving technology sector that has risen to be its largest revenue-generating private industry.