For the third time around, the Philippine Consulate General in Honolulu welcomed on 21 July 2017 thirty-eight (38) participants of the 2017 Nuuanu Consulates Tour, an annual activity organized by Hawaii Representative Takashi Ohno to give his constituents the opportunity to visit and to get to know more about foreign consular posts and offices in the Nuuanu district.
Representative Ohno represents District 27 covering Liliha, Alewa Heights, Puunui, and Nuuanu, of which the Philippine Consulate General is part of.
The tour participants were able to visit the Consulates General of the Philippines, Republic of Korea and Japan, as well as the Taiwan Cultural and Economic Office, which are all located along Pali Highway, dubbed as Honolulu’s “Consulate Row”.
Rep. Ohno and his constituents were given a tour of the Philippine Consulate General premises, highlighting the history of the Consulate building as a historical site in Honolulu and as a legacy of the first Filipino sakadas in Hawaii who first purchased the half-hectare property in Pali Highway which was later purchased by the Philippine Government to serve as Philippine chancery. The tour also described the history of the creation of the Philippine Consulate General, the first Philippine consular mission in the United States. The Consulate also prepared a brief presentation on the mission and mandate of the office as well as the services, activities and programs undertaken by the Consulate General as it carries out the three pillars of Philippine foreign policy – (1) preservation of national security; (2) promotion and attainment of economic security and (3) protection of the rights and welfare of overseas Filipinos.
The participants were treated to merienda of ensaymada. a popular Filipino snack. Acting Head of Post Roberto T. Bernardo also gave his welcome remarks and fielded questions from the participants on Philippine culture, sports, food and the arts.
The participants expressed appreciation to the Philippine Consulate for graciously welcoming them to its premises. Representative Ohno also expressed hope that this activity will continue in the following years. (END).
