Honolulu and Edogawa City became sister cities in 2020, but the signing ceremony was delayed due to COVID-19. Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi and Mayor Takeshi Saito of Edogawa City, Japan signed the agreement on Thursday during a ceremony at Kapolei Hale.

With the passage of Resolution 20-264, proclaiming the sisterhood, the ceremony became the first such in-person ceremony of the Blangiardi administration.

“Though this partnership is built upon the foundation of our two nations’ history of cooperation, it is my sincere hope that we can reimagine the ways in which we work together, especially with regard to the manner in which we build opportunities for both the people of Edogawa and Honolulu,” Mayor Blangiardi said in a news release.

“We always want to create mutually beneficial exchanges, and not just for the betterment of our individual cities, but for our collective humanity.”

Edogawa City and Honolulu share a special relationship and many similarities. First are the many hula halau that call both cities home. Seaside parks, surf beaches and the desire to encourage responsible tourism that promotes and preserves their local culture and environment are also shared.

With the signing of the agreement, Edogawa City becomes one of the city and county of Honolulu’s approximately 30 sister cities.