including President of the House of Ariki, Tou Travel Ariki, and Prime Minister Mark Brown celebrate the Sister City agreement at the Hawai‘i Convention Center.
HONOLULU – Mayor Rick Blangiardi is thrilled to announce the signing of a Sister City agreement with Avarua, Rarotonga, Cook Islands, marking the 37th Sister City partnership for the City and County of Honolulu.
This historic agreement is the second Sister City relationship with an island country in Polynesia and the first to be established under Sister Cities International’s “7 for 70 Program,” an initiative supported by the United States Department of State and the White House National Security Council.
“This historic agreement is more than a formality; it represents a heartfelt commitment to building bridges and deepening our ties across the Pacific,” said Mayor Rick Blangiardi. “With our shared Polynesian roots and values, this partnership feels like a reunion of extended ‘ohana. I am genuinely excited about the meaningful cultural exchanges, collaborative economic ventures, and environmental initiatives that will strengthen both our communities.”
The signing ceremony took place at the Hawai‘i Convention Center on the FestPAC main stage during the opening of the Festival Village. Mayor Rick Blangiardi and Honolulu City Council Chair Tommy Waters signed the agreement on behalf of the City and County, while the Honorable Prime Minister Mark Brown of the Cook Islands and Tou Travel Ariki, President of the House of Ariki, signed on behalf of the Cook Islands.
“As a part of the vast and interconnected network of communities throughout the Pacific, Honolulu is honored to extend the spirit of aloha to nā ōhua ‘o ka ‘ohana Honolulu, our extended family in Avarua, Rarotonga, Cook Islands, as we establish our newest sister city relationship. This will build lasting connections and collaborative growth to benefit both our communities, and our people,” said Honolulu City Council Chair Tommy Waters. “The value of face-to-face meetings and personal relationships across cultures and continents changes the lives of individuals and helps communities worldwide to thrive, and we look forward to deepening our relationship with our extended ‘ohana across the Pacific.”
The “7 for 70 Program” commemorates the 70th anniversary of Sister Cities International by establishing seven new Sister City relationships in the Pacific Islands by 2026 that promote international peace and understanding. The City and County of Honolulu’s partnership with Avarua, Rarotonga, sets a precedent for other cities to follow in strengthening global ties and fostering cultural, educational, and economic exchanges.
“I cannot tell you how important this initiative is going to be as we move forward,” said Kurt Campbell, Deputy Secretary of State. “We will do everything possible at the State Department to build more of these, to make sure that they are sustaining, to make sure that they are strong and they connect us in ways that cannot be broken into the future.”
Prime Minister Mark Brown expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “Our friendship between our people is like the strands of the fiber in the woven net. This friendship extends from the highest of our of people down to the lowest of our people and that closeness brings together all of our people.”
The Festival Village at FestPAC provided a spirited and fitting backdrop for the signing ceremony, highlighting the cultural richness and unity that this new Sister City relationship embodies. The City and County of Honolulu extend their heartfelt gratitude to the FestPAC team for their support and for hosting this significant event.
As Honolulu and Avarua, Rarotonga embark on this new journey together, they celebrate a future filled with hope, collaboration, and mutual respect.
