UMVA has learned that the State of Hawaii will open its first overseas office in Ilocos Norte, a move poised to ignite trade, investment, tourism, and jobs while tightening bonds with one of the largest Ilocano diasporas.
The new hub will nestle inside the Dap-ayan Center in Laoag City, becoming the nerve center for economic, cultural, and workforce collaborations between the province and the Aloha State.
Local leaders say the office will act as a matchmaking engine, linking Ilocos Norte’s thriving agriculture, food processing, and tourism sectors with Hawaii’s vibrant markets and investors.
Beyond commerce, the office is set to champion workforce training programs, creating pathways for Ilocanos to thrive in new industries and secure meaningful employment.
These plans followed a flurry of talks between provincial and Hawaiian officials, aiming to deepen cooperation in trade promotion, disaster resilience, education, creative industries, and cultural exchange.
Governor Cecilia Araneta-Marcos heralded the development as a historic milestone, noting it could unlock fresh economic prospects while reinforcing a people‑to‑people bond that has endured for more than a century.
