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Candon City and City of Honolulu now sister cities

Honolulu-Candon ties. (From left) Honolulu Council Chairman Ernie Martin, Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell, Candon City Mayor Ericson Singson, and Candon City Council Chairwoman Rhodana Cortez Abrero sign the agreement.


In witness of this significant and historical event in the life and history of both cities, the signing of the Sister City Agreement was held at the Mission Memorial Auditorium in Honolulu, Hawaii, on May 7 at 2:30 in the afternoon.

The program was emceed by Executive Director Nicole A. Velasco of the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development.

The signing ceremony was well-attended—attendees included the Honolulu City Council, Caldwell Administration cabinet, Congressman Mark Takai and representatives of the Hawai‘i Congressional Delegation, members of the State Legislature, and officials from the Philippines Consulate  They were joined by members of the Filipino Chamber of Commerce of Hawai‘i, Filipino Business Women’s Association, Candonians of Hawai‘i, United Filipino Council of Hawai‘i, Ilocos Surian Association of Hawai‘i, Filipino Nurses Organization of Hawai‘i, Hawai‘i Filipino Women’s Club, Filipino Women’s Civic Club, Gumil Hawai‘i, and other Hawai‘i Filipino organizations.

As part of his welcome remarks Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell acknowledged and recognized some distinguished leaders in attendance like Councilmen   Ron Menor, son of the late Ben Menor, first Filipino Senator and first Filipino Justice to the Hawaii Supreme, followed by Mario Ramil, Simeon Acoba. Brandon Elefante, youngest member of the Council, has a root from Santiago, Ilocos Sur. Joey Manahan, root from Tagudin

The writer with Danny Villaruz, Candon City Council Chairwoman Rhodana Cortez Abrero, and one guest.

Members of the Hawaii State Legislature: Romy Cachola, John Mizuno, State Senate Clarence Nishihara, US Congressman Mark Takai were also in attendance.

Some community organizations were also represented like Danny Villaruz Ilocos Surian, Davelyn Quijano Sinait National High School Alumni Association of Hawaii; Maria Cristina White Santiaguenians Association of Hawaii; Arnold Villafuerte Knights of Rizal, Atty. Franz Donnie Juan FilComCenter, Paul Alimbuyao Filipino Chamber of Commerce, Maria Etrata United Filipino Council of Hawaii and many others,

Mayor Caldwell’s speech traced the historical journey and arrival of the first 15 Ilokano sakada from Candon.  It went like this:

“A journey that began when the first 15 sakada boarded the S.S. Doric and left Candon for Hawai‘i back in 1906 came full circle today,” said Mayor Caldwell.  “With the formal recognition of the deep ties between Honolulu and Candon City, our two cities now begin a new chapter in a partnership that dates back over a century.”

Honolulu and Candon City have a significant history.  The first sakada (Filipino plantation laborers) came from Candon and arrived in Hawai‘i on December 20, 1906 to work in the sugarcane plantations, beginning the first wave of Filipino immigration to the islands.

During his trade mission to the Philippines with the Hawai‘i Filipino Chamber of Commerce in February, 2014, Mayor Caldwell visited Candon City where he discussed the Sister City Agreement with Mayor Singson.  That May 7, 2015 signing made Candon City Honolulu 32nd established sister-city.   

In addition to Mayor Singson, Candon City Councilmembers, including Chair Rhodana C. Abrero, came to Honolulu for the historic event.

Mayor Caldwell also recognized other FIRST FILIPINO LEADERS in government as Atty. Peter Aduja [Vigan], as first Filipino legislator; Ben Menor [San Nicolas, IN] as first Filipino Senator and First Justice of the Supreme Court; Benjamin Cayetano [his father from Urdaneta] as first Filipino Hawaii Governor.

Below is the complete version of the agreement as signed by Kirk Caldwell, Ericson Singson, Ernie Martin, and Rhodana Abrero:

“AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY NAD COUNTY OF HONOLULU, STATE OF HAWAII, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND CITY OF CANDON, PROVINCE OF ILOCOS SUR, REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES TO ESTABLISH A SISTER-CITY RELATIONSHIP

The City and County of Honolulu, State of Hawaii, United States of America and the City of Candon, Province of Ilocos Sur, Republic of the Philippines, hereby agree to establish a Sister-City Relationship in an effort to strengthen the mutual understanding of between our cities.

The two cities share similar topography, cultural ancestry, and commitment to excellence and advancement. They both are blessed with abundant, social, cultural and economic ties. The goal of establishing this Sister-City Relationship is to deepen the mutual regard, respect, and understanding between our two cities, and to pass this relationship on to future generations especially with Honolulu citizens who still identify themselves as Candonians.

In the spirit of bilateral collaboration and cooperation, the two cities agree to develop and strengthen sisterly lies between their people by promoting the social, cultural, agricultural, and economic development on a broad range of programs like tourism, education, science and technology, and inter-island communications.

In the spirit of friendship, the leaders and citizens of our cities agree to maintain regular contact to achieve mutually beneficial actions.

Signed on May 7, 2015 in the City and County of Honolulu.”

That day, we had the opportunity to meet a youngest Council member Brandon Elefante, in person who, according to him, has a root from Santiago, Ilocos Sur. He has a promising future in politics in Hawaii. 

Mayor Singson remarks is an expression of his sincere appreciation and gratitude to all persons involved in the preparation of the agreement and also their travel and itineraries.

The two council chairs also greeted the audience.


After the program, there was a sumptuous dinner with Filipino lechon and other delicacies that everybody enjoyed.

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