Honolulu renews ties with Cebu City

CEBU, Philippines - Delegates from the City and County of Honolulu, Hawaii led by Mayor Peter Carlisle paid a visit to Cebu City yesterday to renew sister city ties and discuss future economic partnerships.

Carlisle came with officials of the City and County of Honolulu and members of the Filipino Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii.

The visit to Cebu is part of a trade mission to all of Honolulu’s sister cities in the country, including Manila, Baguio, Clark and Subic.

The trade mission serves as a venue for entrepreneurs in Hawaii interested in conducting trade and business relations in the country to have an overview of the country’s economic potentials.

Yesterday’s visit was mainly to “strengthen sister-city relationships, promote Honolulu as an investment and tourism destination, encourage the trade and economic activity between Honolulu and Cebu City, promote goodwill and the exchange of ideas and technology and celebrate the gains made by Honolulu’s Filipino American community.”

The department of environmental services of Honolulu shared the country’s best practices in solid waste management in which they convert waste to energy. Honolulu has been recognized as one of the best in this field in the entire United States.

In his speech, Mayor Carlisle recognized the Filipinos, who, since a century ago, have significantly contributed to the economy of Hawaii.

Carlisle recalled the first “sakadas” or the group of Filipinos who have gone to Hawaii to work in farms, manufacturing companies and other industries.

Another batch of Filipinos, the post-war “sakadas” migrated to Hawaii in 1946 after the war. Hawaii needed thousands of Filipinos to address the labor shortage caused by the war.

Carlisle said the Filipinos have contributed to what Honolulu, Hawaii has become today. In return, he said, they intend to bring economic opportunities to the country to also contribute to its development.

Mayor Michael Rama said investments to Cebu City by Honolulu entrepreneurs would bring progress to the economy and generate more jobs for Cebuanos.

After the welcome lunch and courtesy call at the City Hall, the City and County of Honolulu delegates, the Filipino Chamber of Commerce in Hawaii, the Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industries and the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industries held a meeting to discuss possible business partnerships. — (FREEMAN)