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JM SY O M��, ',,., • <br /> COUNTY OF HAWAII •:� / •I STATE OF HAWAII <br /> RESOLUTION NO. 77 li <br /> (DRAFT 2) <br /> A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A SISTER -CITY <br /> RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ORMOC CITY, PHILIPPINES AND THE COUNTY OF <br /> HAWAII, AND AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAII TO <br /> ENTER INTO A FORMAL SIGNED AGREEMENT. <br /> WHEREAS, the Mayor of the County of Hawai`i and the Hawai`i County <br /> Council have jointly promoted a Sister -City program to foster friendship and understanding <br /> among all of the world, particularly those in the Pacific Basin; and <br /> WHEREAS, the Sister -City program benefits the people of the affiliated cities <br /> through the exchange of economic development, cultural and educational information of mutual <br /> interest, and other matters of common interest; and <br /> WHEREAS, contact has been made between officials of the government of <br /> Ormoc City and the County of Hawai`i to discuss the establishment of a Sister -City relationship <br /> between Ormoc City, Philippines and the County of Hawai`i; and <br /> WHEREAS, The Philippines and Hawai`i have a long historical connection beginning <br /> with the introduction of agricultural workers, known as sakadas, in 1906; and <br /> WHEREAS, according to the 2005 American Community Survey, 23.5% of the <br /> population of the State of Hawai`i is of Filipino descent; and <br /> WHEREAS, Ormoc City and Hawai`i Island share many commonalities, which includes <br /> the use of geothermal energy to power their utility grids to meet their pressing needs for clean, <br /> locally produced energy; and <br /> WHEREAS, Ormoc City and Hawai`i Island are said to be the most beautiful islands in <br /> their respective island chains, relying on the economies of tourism, construction, and <br /> governmental services to support their populations; and <br /> WHEREAS, Ormoc City and Hawai`i Island share cultural commonalities such as the <br /> Leyte Dance Troupe and Hawai`i Island's annual Merrie Monarch Hula Festival; and <br /> WHEREAS, benefits to a Sister City agreement between Ormoc City and the County of <br /> Hawai`i include geothermal information & technical exchange, enhanced economic & business <br /> partnerships, and educational & cultural exchange; and <br /> WHEREAS, this resolution will be augmented with written covenants between the <br /> mayors of both the County of Hawai`i and Ormoc City and additionaly supported with a signed <br />