Filipino fishermen in Honolulu, Hawaii felt the spirit of Christmas even away from home when the Philippine Consul General in the city visited them to hand over some Christmas gifts.
A consulate team led by Philippine Consul General Emilio T. Fernandez made a goodwill visit to the Filipino fishermen at Honolulu Harbor on Dec. 17, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Friday, Dec. 24.
Fernandez said to ease the burden of being away from home for long periods of time, Consulate personnel visit the fishermen and provide them with food from the Philippines.
They gave away boxes of used, but in very good condition, clothes, shoes, accessories, books and toys for their children in the Philippines.
Around 30 fishermen where present during the visit. They are documented workers working onboard vessels that fish in the high seas of the Pacific.
According to Fernandez, they are often away for months at a time. During his visit, they were docked in the harbors of Honolulu but are not allowed to venture out of the pier except for emergency reasons.
The visit was coordinated with the Waipio Community Baptist Church and the Hawaii Seafarers Ministry headed by Pastor Jerry Saludez. The DFA said the activity has been ongoing since 2018.
Meanwhile, Fernandez also met Hawaii County Mayor Mitch Roth at the Philippine Consulate General on Dec. 21, days after his visit to the Filipino fishermen.
During the meeting, the two officials discussed areas of collaboration between the Philippine Consulate and Hawaii County.
Fernandez and Roth agreed to work together to increase the provision of consular services to members of the Filipino community in the Big Island with the resumption of outreach missions by the second semester of 2022, should the health situation permit.