Honolulu and Candon, a city in the Illocos Sur province of the Philippines, became sister cities during a recent ceremony.

Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell and Candon City Mayor Ericson Singson signed the sister-city agreement at the Mission Memorial Auditorium. Candon became Honolulu’s 32nd sister city.

Honolulu and Candon have a significant history, according to a press release from the Mayor’s Office. The first Filipino plantation workers, also known as sakada, came from Candon and arrived in Hawaii in 1906.

They were the first wave of Filipino immigrants to work in the sugarcane plantations in Hawaii, stated the press release.

“A journey that began when the first 15 sakada boarded the S.S. Doric and left Candon for Hawaii back in 1906 came full circle today,” said Caldwell in the press release.  “With the formal recognition of the deep ties between Honolulu and Candon City, our two cities now begin a new chapter in a partnership that dates back over a century.”

The signing ceremony was attended by members of the Honolulu City Council, the Caldwell administration cabinet and U.S. Rep. Mark Takai. Officials from the Philippines Consulate and city council members from Candon were also in attendance.

Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell, left, and Candon City Mayor Ericson Singson exchange gifts at a sister-city ceremony.

Courtesy of City of Honolulu