U.S. Rep. Charles Djou has invited the new president of the Philippines to visit Hawaii.

Djou announced yesterday that he had sent President Benigno Aquino III a letter asking him to visit the islands during his upcoming trip to the mainland next month.

He says Filipino-Americans in Hawaii are ready and willing to offer Aquino a warm welcome.

In a statement, Djou says he has made strengthening relations with the Philippines a priority.

Doing so also has political benefits for Djou, who faces a tough re-election race in November against likely Democratic foe Colleen Hanabusa. A significant percentage of Hawaii voters are of Filipino heritage.

Meanwhile, Djou has submitted a resolution urging North Korea to release seven South Korean and Chinese fishermen detained Sunday while operating their boat on the eastern inter-Korean sea border.

Djou’s resolution, filed Tuesday with the House Foreign Affairs Committee, "condemns North Korea for the detainment of the Daesung 55 and hostile activity towards the Republic of Korea" and demands North Korea "release the 7-member crew of the Daesung 55."