Chief of Staff Andy Sugg welcomed Dr. Hiroya Sugano of Shizuoka, Japan, at Honolulu Hale during his visit to Hawaii for the Pearl Harbor memorial events taking place December 5-10. Dr. Sugano came to express his gratitude to the city and people of Honolulu for their continued support of U.S.-Japan reconciliation efforts. For decades, Dr.… Continue reading December 10, 2025 – Chief of Staff meets Dr. Hiroya Sugano, peace advocate (Blackened Canteen Ceremony)
Honolulu Sister City Connection to Bruyères, France Lives On Through New Film Project In November 2025, a delegation from Honolulu embarked on a powerful 20-day journey through France and Italy, filming scenes for an upcoming documentary that celebrates the legacy of the 100th Infantry Battalion and honors Honolulu’s enduring sister city relationship with Bruyères, France:… Continue reading November 2025 – Honolulu Residents Document Historic Journey in France and Italy for “The 100TH, Seeds of Aloha” Documentary
City and County of Honolulu Official Press Release HONOLULU — The City and County of Honolulu and Shonai, Japan, officially signed a Friendship City Agreement today during a ceremony at the Mission Memorial Auditorium, celebrating the long-standing bond between the two communities and their shared commitment to promoting educational, cultural, and economic exchange. Honolulu Mayor… Continue reading November 3, 2025 – City signs Friendship City Agreement with Shonai, Japan
Mayor Blangiardi participated and read a proclamation in the 114th National Day Reception on October 6th, invited by Director General Jerry S. Chang from the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Honolulu (TECO).
The Principal and International Office director from Kanto Daiichi School in Edogawa-ku (Sister City with Honolulu since 2020) visited Chief of Staff Andy Sugg on September 24, 2025. Kanto Daiichi has 2,500 students (8th, 9th, 10th grades). They are building a program with Island Pacific Academy in Kapolei that will be launched in 2026. They… Continue reading September 24, 2025 – Kanto Daiichi School (Edogawa-ku) visits Chief of Staff
City and County of Honolulu Official Press Release HIROSHIMA, Japan – Mayor Rick Blangiardi on Wednesday joined hundreds of international representatives and thousands of Japanese citizens at the Hiroshima Peace Park for a solemn ceremony commemorating the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima on August 6, 1945. The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony is… Continue reading August 6, 2025 – Mayor Blangiardi attends Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony on 80th anniversary of atomic bombing
City and County of Honolulu Official Press Release TOKYO, JAPAN — Mayor Rick Blangiardi began his first international Sister City visit as mayor on Friday with a full slate of meetings at the Shibuya City Office and a guided tour of the historic Meiji Jingu, a Shinto shrine located in the heart of the Tokyo… Continue reading August 1, 2025 – Mayor Blangiardi visits Shibuya City Office, Meiji Jingu on first day in Japan
On July 14th, 2025, Mayor Blangiardi said goodbye to the Consul General of the Republic of Korea, Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Lee Seo-Young who is going back to South Korea and retiring from public service. Mayor Blangiardi mentioned how great it was to work with Consul General Lee during his time in Honolulu and how much… Continue reading July 14, 2025 – Mayor Blangiardi says goodbye to Consul General Lee Seo-Young
The Mayor’s Office of Culture and the Arts extends its warmest congratulations to the people of the Philippines as they celebrate their Independence Day on June 12. The City and County of Honolulu is lucky to have 7 Sister Cities in the Philippines: We have 7 Sister Cities: Maligayang Araw ng Kalayaan!
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
