Flood of support backs Kan Pacific

Kan Pacific Saipan, the owner of Mariana Resort & Spa, has received an avalanche of support from members of the public, all of whom are calling on the government to renew the company’s public land lease in Marpi.

Kan Pacific’s service for over three decades in the CNMI has prompted many to speak out against the Department of Public Land’s stance to put the property up for bid once the lease expires in 2018.

Saipan casino licensee Best Sunshine International, Ltd. has expressed an interest in the property.

In one of many letters addressed to both Kan Pacific and the Legislature, community member Raymond Muña expressed his full support for Mariana Resort and its continuing display of respect and hospitality.

“The infrastructure of Kan Pacific is a perfect fit for the location of Marpi…[which] is one of the most treasured places of Saipan. It remains untouched with significant development and embraces what Saipan should actually be. Kan Pacific offers the most with the least amount of development. I understand development generates additional revenue that could benefit the CNMI; however, disregarding Kan Pacific and possibly establishing a bigger hotel under a different owner will destroy the beauty of Marpi. Marpi is rich in history from both the Latte Period and [World War II] era and it should be kept that way. Additional development in Marpi will alter our historical and traditional look,” Muña’s letter states.

He pointed out that Kan Pacific has adapted to the needs of the native culture while supporting a local workforce.

“I completely understand that the CNMI needs additional revenue for our ailing economy; however, if we keep developing our natural beauty and destroying our cultural resources, we…will lose our cultural identity to greed. It’s not us who suffer, but our children and grandchildren. When we pass on and our children and grandchildren become the future generation, they will have no cultural identity left to protect,” he adds.

Others expressed the need for tourism diversity, especially since the decline of the Japanese market and the current influx of Chinese and Korean visitors.

“A continued decline in arrivals may result in less flights from Japan… It is an eye opener that, when considering the resort may lose its lease, we lose more arrivals from Japan…Seriously, we all need to really look at what is at stake here! …If we RFP the property, are we saying we are to do this with Hyatt Regency when their lease is up about 10 years from now? Is Fiesta Resort up in 10 plus years too? How about all other properties? Are we setting ourselves up for failure in booting out businesses that have committed themselves to the CNMI? Ask yourself that and then think about what we, [including our government] is doing. Are we setting precedence? Are we ready to lose a property that continuously focuses on bringing Japanese tourist to our island? I support the renewal because it is the right choice!” said former Marianas Visitors Authority staff Wayne Pangelinan.

Others lamented what they described as the “unfair treatment” of investors on Saipan.

“I am against unfair treatment to all investors. I think they are dealing Mariana Resort a bad hand, and I am very much against that. I strongly believe we must be fair in dealing with our investors, and especially those such as Mariana Resort and Spa, which has been with us through thick and thin…I support the renewal/ extension of the Mariana Resort and Spa’s lease,” said private citizen Gloria Hunter.

“Many of our people have moved on in search of greener pastures. Many have stayed. We do what we do with the hope that our decision is what is best for those we love most. That is why we leave. It is why choose to remain. This philosophy is also shared by our business community. Many have come and gone. Some have chosen to not only stay back but stay in business. I’d like to think it is because they believe in our island and have chosen to continue to serve as they did when their doors first opened. To them, like to many of us, Saipan is home. Marianas Resort is one of those places. Like a good deal of folks, I have many fond memories of our little getaway to the north. Mariana Resort believed in Saipan long before any casino saw potential in our tropical gem. Food for thought—one may think that someone who gave $100 loves you more than the one who only gave you $5. The one who gave $100 had $10,000 in his pocket. The other only had $5 in theirs. Marianas Resort has given and continues to give us all it could. That’s love. Saipan is home,” wrote Jay Sanchez.

Another letter writer, Jack Diaz, said: “Mariana Resort is one of those companies that remained despite the declining tourism arrivals from Japan. I am in support of their renewal and I think we should not let this government have its way. The deal with BSI was for them to build, not buy. We should ask the Marianas Visitors Authority board to step up and support Mariana Resort…”

Will Hunter also chimed in on the issue: “As a witness to what I have observed when foreign investors first came to the CNMI, they were never given an option to purchase property due to Article XI/XII of the CNMI Constitution. The foreign investors believed in good faith that the ability to renew the lease after such a large investment would be present and the option would be given to them by the CNMI government. It is reasonable to believe that the foreign investors understood that the positive changes in the economy would result in potentially higher lease amounts in the years to come. With the potential for higher lease amounts, it is fair to assume that…such increases would be fair and equitable and that in good faith they would continue to invest in the CNMI…I support and I think it is important to support the renewal of not only the Marianas Resort & Spa lease, but also the renewal of all those leases that will be coming to expiration by 2025. These leases include those that were given to Pacific Islands Club, Hyatt, Kanoa Resort, and the Fiesta Resort…”

Hunter said the RFP process is worrisome and may chase away foreign investors, seeing that not many companies have weathered the challenging economy. “Although it is welcoming to see many companies interested in becoming long-term partners of the CNMI, it is equally important for us to preserve our existing long-term relationships that have reaped positive benefits for the CNMI. By doing so, it can only add credence and proof that the CNMI stands by and is committed to companies that make positive investment in our islands and for our people.”

If you’d like to support the renewal of Kan Pacific’s lease, a rally will take place this Saturday, Nov. 14, from 9am to 1pm at the Minachom Atdao Pavillion in Susupe.