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Tudela backs use of Managaha landing fees
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Posted on Jan 11 2005
Saipan Mayor Juan B. Tudela supports using funds derived from landing fees paid by tourists when visiting Managaha Island to shoulder expenses for the renovation of the old Garapan Head Start Center as well as other projects.
In a letter to Sen. Pete P. Reyes, Tudela affirmed his support of House Bill 14-48, which seeks to provide $500,000 to the CNMI Council of Arts and Culture for the projects from the Managaha Island Landing User Fee Trust Account created by Public Law 11-64.
The measure would provide $300,000 for the renovation and reconstruction of the Garapan Head Start Center for use as an art gallery and office of the Council.
“This facility, located adjacent to the beachside Chamolinian Village, is an excellent location for an art gallery for traditional arts and handicrafts for the benefit of local residents and tourists alike who frequent the area,” Tudela said.
The appropriation would also provide $100,000 for the construction of three canoe houses, which Tudela said is needed to house the hand-carved traditional long-distance sailing canoes that are replicas of ones used by the islands’ ancestors.
“In recent years, we have witnessed a resurgence of the art of traditional sailing within the community,” he said. “The Municipality of Saipan supports efforts to protect and strengthen our indigenous Chamorro and Carolinian cultures and traditions, including traditional sailing for the benefit of future generations.”
The remaining $100,000 would be divided among public sculptures and Youth Indigenous Cultures Arts and Language Program. The fund would provide sculptures of traditional latte stones, the legend of Serena, or a Carolinian sailing canoe.
Tudela said that part of the traditional culture program will include learning about canoe-making, navigation, rope-making, fish trap-making, adze-making, weaving, food preparation and other activities.
Community historians, artists, linguists, scholars, and teachers will facilitate the program, he said.
