HANAMAULU — When it was announced that the next mayor of Kauai was in the room at the Filipino Chamber of Commerce annual meeting Tuesday, everyone briefly looked around, puzzled. The general election wasn’t for two more weeks.
Then came the punchline.
Both mayoral candidates, Council Chair Mel Rapozo and Councilman Derek Kawakami, were seated in the audience, and both laughed at the political joke.
It was a festive, fun affair during “A Night in the Philippines” attended by about 70 people at the Aqua Kauai Beach Resort that featured a keynote address from Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr., who opened with a song, “God Will Make a Way.”
“There’s a spiritual connection that is so much needed to be talked about and recognized,” he said.
“I feel strongly about that,” he added. “I feel it’s important we continue to stay connected.”
The mayor spoke often of connections and partnerships as he highlighted Kauai’s many Sister City relationships that included such a bond with Davao, Philippines, earlier this year.
That marked the fifth sister city from the Philippines that the County of Kauai has affirmed since 1991.
The mayor briefly showed several pictures from his Sister City visits to emphasize a point.
“Tonight, we focus on the importance of partnerships,” he said.
The connections are in many ways — tourism, culture, education, agriculture and business.
“It all ties in,” he said. “We’re not just going on a vacation.”
That’s why the mayor and others have visited the sister cities where they have toured schools, hospitals, orphanages and tobacco farms.
“I want you to understand the importance of continuing to do that,” the mayor said.
Because tourism continues to be Kauai’s bread and butter, he said the island should be welcoming to all. That’s why his Holo Holo 2020 vision is about excellent customer service.
He pointed out the Kauai Marathon sends its overall winners to the Iwaki Sunshine Marathon in Japan and that marathon sends its winners to the Kauai Marathon. Kauai and Iwaki have been sister cities since 2011.
“It’s very important to keep those connections in relationships moving in the right direction,” he said.
The mayor and a delegation will be making a final business trip to Portugal.
“This trip to Portugal ties back to many of the families right here,” he said.
Growing up on Kauai, Carvalho said, “it didn’t matter if you were Portuguese or Filipino. We all worked together.”
The business community has the opportunity to reach beyond Kauai thanks to these Sister City bonds, “making sure we have the right hearts and souls, really take it to the next level and bring it home.”
The mayor praised the Filipino Chamber of Commerce for taking the lead on the Kauai Philippine Cultural Center, which he called “a building for all,” under construction in Puhi.
“Filipino leaders, thank you for all you do,” he said.
Carvalho’s time as mayor is ending soon, after 10 years, and he has a total of more than three decades with the county, including other roles.
“I’m blessed over the years to have the opportunity to continue to work and bridge and connect,” he said.
He said he is looking forward to the next administration coming in. Key, he added, is “honoring each other, respecting each other.”
“To me, that’s the big thing,” he said.
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Bill Buley, editor-in-chief, can be reached at 245-0457 or bbuley@thegardenisland.com.
