Sablan steps down as HANMI chair

Pacific Gardenia Hotel general manager Ronald D. Sablan has resigned as chair of the Hotel Association of the Northern Mariana Islands, amid negative publicity resulting from the hotel owners’ case in the Superior Court.

Sablan’s resignation took effect on Sept. 15. The following day, HANMI named Sablan as an honorary member of the organization, in recognition of his longstanding contribution to the hotel industry. He was HANMI’s longest serving chairman, having held the post since 1996.

In an interview, Sablan said he decided to resign from HANMI because he did not want the negative publicity about Pacific Gardenia to affect the organization’s image.

“I think it was just proper that I step down,” he said.

CDA has alleged that as of last Jan. 20, Pacific Gardenia Hotel and its officers—Ronald, Maria Ana, and Jeannette Sablan—owe CDA over $2.4 million, and are more than five years delinquent in their payment.

Last July, CDA asked the court last July to appoint a trustee to manage and collect the profits of Pacific Gardenia Hotel until the case against the hotel’s owners is resolved. CDA’s motion is still awaiting decision from the Superior Court.

Further, Pacific Gardenia filed for bankruptcy protection last week with the U.S. District Court. The hotel declared an estimated asset of up to $10 million and an estimated debt of the same amount.

“I’m a realist. I’m not ashamed to admit my situation. I’m facing the fact that we have a problem that we need to solve,” Sablan said.

Nevertheless, HANMI’s chair for the past eight consecutive years maintained that he will continue contributing to the organization.

“I feel very much part of HANMI. I will come back. I just need to get rid of the negative issues around me right now,” he said.

Sablan said a new HANMI chair cannot be elected until the group’s rules on chairmanship have been amended.

HANMI’s bylaws state that a chairman must have at least a full year of service as an officer prior to election. All of the existing officers in HANMI’s board are new, Sablan said.

For the meantime, World Resort Saipan general manager B.K. Park is acting as HANMI chair.

In a meeting held at the Marianas Resort & Spa last Thursday, HANMI members elected two new board members to fill vacancies on the board. They are Lynn Knight, general manager of Century Hotel, and Yutaka Fujita, general manager of Hotel Nikko Saipan.

During the meeting, HANMI legal adviser Marcia Schultz recognized Sablan for guiding the association throughout the years. “We owe him a lot,” said Schultz.

Michael von Siebenthal, Hyatt Regency Saipan general manager and HANMI secretary, expressed his sincere thanks to Sablan for his “untiring efforts in achieving the best possible solutions for the hotel and tourism industry on Saipan as well as for the benefits of the community.”

Park, who came on board this year as HANMI vice chair, said, “It was such a pleasure to assist him. Mr. Sablan and all of our board members had a very good relationship together. As HANMI chairman, Mr. Sablan showed his highly qualified ability in carrying out his work. I would like to shower him with praises on his conduct.”

Sablan led the association in an active campaign with the community, private sector and government to help represent the interests of the hotel industry during the economic downturn brought about by the 1997 Asian currency crisis, 9/11, and the SARS outbreak, among other events.

Sablan, along with co-founders that included former Aqua Resort Club general manager Mark Murai, set up a charity fund from which donations were made to various civic groups like KARIDAT, American Red Cross and the CHC Volunteers.

Likewise, HANMI has been able to set up an educational fund for deserving students, and is currently working with the Northern Marianas College on funding a tourism scholarship program.

HANMI’s community involvement is also showcased in several activities including the annual Christmas luncheon for the man’amko and support for the MY WAVE Tourism Clubs.

HANMI was organized in 1988 as a non-profit organization for the hotel industry.