PRESS RELEASE NO. 46-2021

2 December 2021, Honolulu – During the call last Tuesday of the Philippines’ new Consul General in Honolulu, Emil Fernandez, Hawaii’s Governor, David Ige, underscored the crucial role members of the Filipino community continue to play during the pandemic with their employment in key industries, such as the state’s healthcare and tourism sectors. The Governor highlighted the deep historical ties between Hawaii and Philippines and emphasized the active and vibrant part Filipinos have contributed to society.

Governor Ige and Consul General Fernandez discuss areas of collaboration between the Philippines and the State of Hawaii.  (Photo credit: Joel C. Bulos)

Consul General Fernandez conveyed his commitment to further bridge Hawaii-Philippine relations and was humbled by the opportunity to serve his country. He emphasized the importance of further improving the provision of services to the Consulate’s constituents, a task that has been made challenging with the COVID-19 pandemic and its emerging variants. The two officials pledged to continue efforts in increasing the vaccination rate among Filipino Americans, among other areas.

Consul General Fernandez presents a token of appreciation to Governor Ige. (Photo credit: Joel C. Bulos)

Joining Governor Ige in the meeting were Mr. Dennis Ling, Administrator of the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT), Ms. Marlene Hiraoka, DBEDT Economic Development Specialist, and Ms. Carole Hayashino, Director for Protocol and Community Affairs of the Office of the Governor, while Consul General Fernandez was accompanied by Consul Grace Bulos and Protocol Officer Joel Bulos.

According to the American Community Survey of 2019, approximately 317,000 of the Aloha State’s 1.4 million population (22.6 percent) identify as having Filipino ancestry.  (END)