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LC execs visits Hawaii, renew sister ties with Honolulu

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The Laoag City delegation to Hawaii, headed by mayor Michael Keon and the 10 Sangguniang Panlungsod members pay a courtesy call to City and County of Honolulu chairperson and presiding officer Tommy Waters and members of the City Council. (Photo courtesy of MMK)


By Dominic B. dela Cruz (Staff Reporter)

Laoag City—City mayor Michael M. Keon led the city government’s delegation to the State of Hawaii this August as per invitation of Honolulu city council chairperson and presiding officer Tommy Waters.

Waters, in his invitation, expressed his gratitude for the signing of the sisterhood relationship between Honolulu and the City of Laoag a few months ago held here in the city that resulted in the strong foundation for future collaborations.

It was learned that Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi, Keon and Laoag vice mayor and Presiding Officer Rey Carlos Farinas signed the sister city agreement, renewing the two cities’ commitment to the prosperity of the relationship between them.

As this developed, Waters formally invited the Laoag officials, headed by the mayor, saying he believes that this would not only strengthen their bonds but also provide them the opportunity to explore new avenues of cooperation.

As a result, Keon accepted the invitation along with a majority members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod and several city government department heads.

Keon said the delegation’s first item in their itinerary was a courtesy call to Blangiardi and the Honolulu City Council headed by Waters.

The delegation was welcomed by Waters and were serenaded by the Royal Hawaiian Band with traditional Hawaiian songs followed by a meeting with Blangiardi. The delegation likewise proceeded to the council chambers to meet with other council members including Val Okimoto, Radiant Cordero, Tyler Dos-Santos Tam and Calvin Say. Say is a former Speaker of the House concluding his 53 years of public service after his last term.

Keon disclosed that his meeting with Blangiardi and Waters primarily focused on potential areas of cooperation, information exchange, and collaborative programs, especially in the areas of climate change and resiliency, emergency preparedness and management, tourism, and sustainable agriculture.

“One of the exciting topics we explored was the potential for direct flights between Honolulu and Laoag City which aims to promote investments, boost tourism, and enable the Filipino citizens particularly the Ilocanos to reconnect with their roots and further strengthen family ties by visiting their beloved hometown, Laoag City,” Keon said

The Laoag mayor expressed his “heartfelt gratitude” to Blangiardi and the Honolulu City Council, led Waters, for their “warm hospitality and for facilitating fruitful discussions during their visit”.

The delegation likewise paid a courtesy call to consul general Emil Fernandez and they also met with the Filipino Chamber of Commerce and Industry and engaged with leaders and members of the Filipino community in Hawaii, strengthening ties and exploring opportunities for collaboration.


The Laoag City delegation, headed by mayor Michael Keon with the members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod visits and sustains cooperation with Honolulu Consul General Emil Fernandez during their official visit to Hawaii. (Photo courtesy of PCGH

Aside from Keon, joining the delegation were Laoag Councilors Enrico Ang, John Michael Fariñas, Handy Lao, James Bryan Alcid, Derick Lao, Jason Bader Perera, Jaybee Baquiran and Jeff Fariñas, with ex-officio members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod Sangguniang Kabataan Christoph Michael Agustin and Liga ng Mga Barangay President Arbee Ablan and several department heads.  

Laoag vice mayor Rey Carlos Fariñas and Laoag councilor Juan Conrado Respicio stayed behind as they served as acting mayor and acting vice mayor, respectively, along with Laoag councilor Roger John Fariñas.

The delegation is expected to arrive back in the country on Aug. 13, 2024.

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