HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - Two mayors, one from Honolulu and another from Shonai, Japan, officially signed a Friendship City Agreement Monday morning.

Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi and Shonai Mayor Toru Togashi were at the center of the ceremony at the Mission Memorial Auditorium.

“The friendship between Honolulu and Shonai began 23 years ago when a young man from Shonai studied in Hawaii,” said Togashi.

Officials said the student went on to build lifelong relationships that eventually led to student exchange programs between Shonai and Honolulu schools.

City officials also credit Masashi Ando, a Honolulu native now living in Shonai, for the programs’ continuation.

Togashi took time during the ceremony to give thanks to other important figures.

“Through the warm support of many peop

See Full Page