Kaua‘i County, Laoag City celebrate Sister City ties

Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami and his staff, the Kaua‘i County Council, and members of the Kaua‘i Filipino community welcomed Laoag City Mayor Michael Marcos Keon and his delegation to the island of Kaua‘i last week to celebrate and strengthen their Sister City ties.

“Mayor Keon and the City of Laoag were the very first officials to welcome us with open arms during our Sister City visit to the Philippines last summer,” said Mayor Kawakami. “On behalf of my family and the County of Kaua‘i, we are very grateful for their hospitality and welcome them to Kaua‘i.”

On Aug. 9, Kawakami and his team, with the county council, welcomed Keon and his delegation to a courtesy visit and gathering at Kilohana Plantation.

“We thank our delegation from Laoag City for visiting,” said Kaua‘i County Council Chair Mel Rapozo. “I look forward to exploring future opportunities where we can collaborate.”

The following day, Aug. 10, in coordination with the Office of the Mayor, Office of the Economic Development, and members of the Kaua‘i Filipino community, Keon and his delegation conducted site visits of Lydgate Beach Park, Ke Ala Hele Makālae, Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative’s Anahola Solar Farm, and Hā‘ena State Park.

“Public, private, and community partnerships are part of the groundwork for successful initiatives and projects for our island,” said Kawakami. “We wanted to illustrate to our Sister City Delegation from Laoag the collaborative efforts here on Kaua‘i, especially with our partners with the Friends of Kamalani Playground and Lydgate Park, KIUC, Hanalei Initiative, the State of Hawai‘i, and Hui Maka‘ainana o Makana.”

Keon’s delegation included the following:

• Hon. Mayor Michael Marcos Keon
• Ms. Simonette c. Soriano, wife of Mayor Keon
• Hon. James Bryan Q. Alcid, Councilor
• Hon. Handy Lao, president Philippine Councilor’s league/Councilor
• Hon. Jaybee G. Baquiran, Councilor
• Hon. Jason Bader ll. Perera, Councilor
• Hon. Derick B. Lao, Councilor
• Hon. Roque Benjamin C. Ablan, President Association of Barangay Council/ Councilor
• Hon. Michael Christophe R. Agustin, SK Federarion President/Councilor
• Ms. Angel A. Lao, City Tourism Officer
• Ms. Jennifer Frances N. Gapuzan, Community Affairs Officer II
• Mr. Smith Gerardo, Administrative Aid I