President Marcos has expressed his desire to strengthen further the tourism linkages between the Philippines and Hawaii, a place where he had "wonderful experiences" during his family's exile in the American state.

Marcos said this during his meeting with delegations of the Pacific Century Fellow (PCF) from Hawaii in Malacañan on Wednesday, Nov. 13.

In his remarks, the President said he is always open to boosting the country's ties with Hawaii.

"It is always a pleasure for me to welcome our friends from Hawaii, especially when the purpose of your visit is to continue to find ways to interact even more closely with the Philippines considering, of course, that the Filipino population in Hawaii is a significant one," he said.

"So, thank you for making time to visit with me. And I hope we will have a fruitful discussion where we can explore what we can do to further what already are close relations between not just the United States but specifically Hawaii and the Philippines," he added.

The PCF, a group of established and emerging leaders in Hawaii, was founded by former Honolulu mayor and current president and CEO of the Hawaii Lodging and Tourism Association Mufi Hannemann.

During their meeting, Hannemann said he wanted to discuss more ways to boost tourism between the Philippines and Hawaii.

"There are many opportunities for us to work together. And it’s not just because I wear a tourism hat but I really would like to see how we can work to see how we can increase tourism both of Philippines to Hawaii and Hawaii to the Philippines," Hannemann told the President.

"I think there are major opportunities that exist to do that. We know United Airlines has increased the air service here but I think [there’s] an opportunity for Alaska Airlines to rejuvenate what Hawaiian Airlines used to do. So, we see many beneficial opportunities there," he added.

According to the Palace, Hannemann is an active supporter of the Filipino community in Hawaii. He pushed for the advancement and promotion of Filipinos in the tourism industry workforce and appointed many Filipinos to his cabinet and various boards and commissions.

Marcos and Hawaii

In November last year, President Marcos returned to Hawaii more than 30 years after his family had lived there.

In his meeting with members of the Filipino community in Honolulu on Nov. 18, 2023, Marcos said Hawaii holds a very special place in his heart, citing the "wonderful experiences" they had there.

"These are the people that kept us alive for six years," he said.

According to the President, the Filipinos in Hawaii were the ones who provided them with their needs when they left the Malacañan Palace in February 1986.

"We had nothing with us; they kept everything to inspect everything. These are the people who kept body and soul together of the Marcos Family," he claimed.

"Even ultimo damit namin, sila ang nagbigay. Sila nagpapakain sa amin. Pati yung mga appliance doon sa Makiki [Heights] sila ang nagdala (They were the ones who gave us clothes, fed us, and gave us appliances in Makiki Heights)," he added.

"Pagka kami ay nalulungkot, sila ang nagpapasaya sa amin. Kung hindi sa inyo, palagay ko wala na ang pamilyang Marcos kaya't hindi ko makakalimutan (When we felt said, they made us happy. If not for you, I think the Marcos family is long gone that's why I won't forget you)," he continued.

With this, President Marcos said he and his family would forever be grateful to the Filipinos in Hawaii and would carry their kindness in their hearts.

"We could not have survived a very difficult period if not for you. Even if I thank you every day for 1,000 years, it is not enough for all the things that you did for us," he said.

"These are the people that we, as a family, as individuals, owe a debt of gratitude that we will never ever be able to pay," he added.

The infamous late former president Ferdinand Marcos Sr. was ousted through the peaceful EDSA People Power Revolution in 1986. The Marcoses were forced to leave the country and fled to Honolulu, Hawaii, on a United States military aircraft.