GOVERNOR LINGLE AND GOVERNOR GRACE PADACA OF ISABELA PROVINCE, PHILIPPINES SIGN SISTER-STATE-PROVINCE AGREEMENT

For Immediate Release:  August 31, 2006

HONOLULU – Governor Linda Lingle and Governor Grace Padaca of the Philippine Province of Isabela have signed an agreement to establish a sister-state-province relationship between the State of Hawai`i and Isabela Province.

The agreement, which builds on the historic relationship and cultural ties between Hawai`i and the Philippines, will provide increased opportunities in the areas of economic development, trade, tourism, agriculture, education, health care and social and cultural development. 

“By formalizing our relationship between Hawai`i and Isabela Province, we are recognizing the special bond of friendship and cooperation that will grow for many years to come,” said Governor Lingle.  “This relationship will foster opportunities to partner with Isabela’s government and private sector to improve the lives of the people of our state and province.  It will also allow Hawai`i to share our expertise particularly in the areas of tourism, agriculture, and health care.”

“This sister relationship with Hawai`i is both significant and historic as it is the first sister relationship Isabela Province has had with any place in the world,” said Governor Padaca.  “As Governor of Isabela Province, I am proud that we are forming this important relationship in the centennial year of the immigration of the first sakadas to Hawai`i.  Isabela Province and Hawai`i share many similarities in our culture, our people and our tropical environment.  Through this relationship, I believe we can learn from all the experiences that have made Hawai`i successful.”

The signing, which took place at the Philippine Consulate in Nu`uanu, culminates a visit to Hawai`i by Governor Padaca who was a featured speaker earlier this week at the International Women’s Leadership Conference hosted by Governor Lingle.  The two Governors met in the Philippines in January when Governor Lingle led the Hawai`i Philippines Centennial Mission to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the immigration of Filipinos to Hawai`i.

The Hawai`i-Isabela Province relationship is the 15th sister-state relationship Hawai`i has with cities and provinces around the world.  It is the fifth sister-state relationship with the Philippines.  On February 1, 2005, Governor Lingle and Ilocos Norte Province Governor Ferdinand “Bong Bong” Marcos, Jr., signed an agreement to establish Hawai`i’s 14th sister-state relationship.  Cities and provinces that Hawai`i has official sister-state relationships include:

     Philippines: Cebu, Pangasinan, Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte, Isabela
     Japan: Fukuoka, Okinawa, Hiroshima, Ehime
     China: Guangdong, Hainan, Tianjin
     Taiwan
     Korea: Jeju Island
     Portugal: Azores Islands.

Read a copy of the sister-state-province relationship agreement here. 

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For more information, contact:
Russell Pang
Chief of Media Relations
Phone: (808) 586-0043