June 10 – Celebrating Portugal Day: The Portuguese Legacy in Our Streets

June 10th marks Portugal Day, a celebration of Portuguese history, language, and global cultural impact. In Honolulu, several public spaces bear testimony to the vibrant contributions of the Portuguese community. Here are just a few places where Portugal’s legacy lives on: Azores Street – Punchbowl Named after the Azores Islands, this street honors the many… Continue reading June 10 – Celebrating Portugal Day: The Portuguese Legacy in Our Streets

May 2, 2025 – Vice Mayor of Shibuya meets Chief of Staff in Honolulu Hale

Chief of Staff Andy Sugg had the pleasure to meet with Vice Mayor Kaoru Matsuzawa of Shibuya. They are standing in Honolulu Hale in front of the ‘Umeke Lā‘au created by Artist Meleanna Aluli Meyer. Vice Mayor Matsuzawa updated Chief of Staff Sugg on all of Shibuya’s future initiatives with Honolulu, including an exciting Hawaii-Japanese… Continue reading May 2, 2025 – Vice Mayor of Shibuya meets Chief of Staff in Honolulu Hale

May 1, 2025 – Republic of the Marshall Islands Constitution Day

On behalf of the Mayor’s Office of Culture and the Arts, we extend our warmest congratulations the people of the Republic of the Marshall Islands as they celebrate their Constitution Day on May 1. As neighbors in the Pacific and members of a diverse and vibrant island community here in Honolulu, we deeply value the… Continue reading May 1, 2025 – Republic of the Marshall Islands Constitution Day

April 23, 2025 – Mayor Blangiardi meets with Consul General Arman Talbo and Consul Pamela Durian-Bailon

Mayor Blangiardi, Deputy Managing Director Krishna Jayaram and Chief of Staff Andy Sugg had a courtesy visit from the newly appointed Consul General of the Philippines, Mr. Arman R. Talbo, and Consul Pamela Durian-Bailon. Consul General Talbo mentioned 300,000 Filipinos live in Hawaiʻi, between 150,000 and 180,000 of them live on Oʻahu. It is also… Continue reading April 23, 2025 – Mayor Blangiardi meets with Consul General Arman Talbo and Consul Pamela Durian-Bailon

April 3, 2025 – Honolulu Japanese Junior Chamber of Commerce and their Kurashiki, Kojima and Tamashima Jaycee sister chapters

Kurashiki, Kojima, and Tamashima Jaycees visited Honolulu Hale to meet with Chief of Staff Andy Sugg. They have a 40 year relationship with the Honolulu Japanese Junior Chamber of Commerce. They visited Honolulu in 2024 and the HJJCC visited to Kurashiki, Kojima, and Tamashima in the Fall to continue to strengthen the bonds between their… Continue reading April 3, 2025 – Honolulu Japanese Junior Chamber of Commerce and their Kurashiki, Kojima and Tamashima Jaycee sister chapters

March 31, 2025 – Visit of the Ambassador of Portugal and Consul General of Portugal in San Francisco

Mayor Blangiardi had the pleasure to meet with Ambassador Francisco Duarte Lopes, Ambassador of Portugal to the United States and Filipe Ramalheira, Consul General of Portugal in San Francisco. Ambassador Duarte Lopes and Consul General Ramalheira were in Honolulu to visit the Portuguese community living in Hawaii. They indicated 2028 will mark the 150th anniversary… Continue reading March 31, 2025 – Visit of the Ambassador of Portugal and Consul General of Portugal in San Francisco

March 14, 2025 – Visit of the Honolulu Japanese Junior Chamber of Commerce and their Kobe Sister Chapter

The Honolulu Junior Japanese Chamber of Commerce alongside their Kobe Jaycee sister chapter visited Honolulu Hale and met with Deputy Managing Director Krishna Jayaram and Executive Director of MOCA Kaʻili Trask O’Connell. The delegation consisted of Heather Furutani (HJJCC President), Jennifer Ezaki (HJJCC VP of International Relations), Aya Kamine (Kobe JCI President), and 20 Kobe… Continue reading March 14, 2025 – Visit of the Honolulu Japanese Junior Chamber of Commerce and their Kobe Sister Chapter

March 7, 2025 – Mayor Saito from Edogawa visits Honolulu Hale

Deputy Managing Director Krishna Jayaram and Kaʻili Trask O’Connell Executive Director of MOCA met with Mayor Saito of Edogawa who was accompanied by Deputy Mayor Yumiba, Chair Shinichi, Vice Chair Kubota and Councilmember Fukumoto. Mayor Saito highlighted the exciting activities and initiatives that have occurred since the 2022 Sister City agreement between Honolulu and Edogawa.… Continue reading March 7, 2025 – Mayor Saito from Edogawa visits Honolulu Hale

March 7, 2025 – Visit from Nagaoka City & Nagaoka Fireworks Foundation

Nagaoka City and Nagaoka Fireworks Foundation officials visited Honolulu Hale to meet with Deputy Managing Director Krishna Jayaram and Executive Director of MOCA, Kaʻili Trask O’Connell to express their appreciation for the City & County of Honolulu’s cooperation during Honolulu Festival. In 2012, Honolulu and Nagaoka established their sister city relationship. That same year, Nagaoka… Continue reading March 7, 2025 – Visit from Nagaoka City & Nagaoka Fireworks Foundation

March 6, 2025 – Visit from Mayor Sato and Chair Kishi of Chigasaki

Mayor Blangiardi, accompanied by Deputy Managing Director Krishna Jayaram, Chief of Staff Andy Sugg, Executive Director of MOCA Kaʻili Trask O’Connell had the pleasure to welcome Mayor Sato, Chair Kishi of Chigasaki and Ms. Rika Hirata, Ambassador Extraordinary for the City of Chigasaki, at Honolulu Hale. This was Chair Kishi’s first time meeting Mayor Blangiardi.… Continue reading March 6, 2025 – Visit from Mayor Sato and Chair Kishi of Chigasaki