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Fond memories
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Posted on May 19 2005
I read with some fond memories William H. Stewart’s article in the Saipan Tribune “The beginning of tourism on Saipan.” The beginning actually began in 1967. At that time, Hawaii Architects and Engineers was awarded a government contract to do physical master planning for the Districts of the Trust Territory, including Saipan. The focus was on the economy, growth and development of the islands.
As HA&E project manager for the TT Planning Program, I oversaw the completion of all District Master Plans, including the one for Saipan. The Saipan Master Plan was completed in 1968. It not only called tourism to be the mainstay of the Saipan economy, but also located the hotel sites now occupied by Hyatt, Dai-Ichi, and the surrounding hotel sites near Royal Taga. The TT Planning Program was the first planning effort undertaken by government to guide the growth and development of the various islands. Unfortunately, except for tourism, most of the other components of the Saipan Plan gathered dust, as witnessed by the current development practices on the island. Too bad we can’t start over and go back to the past as envisioned in the 1968 Plan.
The Stewart article mentions several businesses that have since disappeared from the scene. I noted with some sadness that the list fails to note the passing of Josie’s Bar, which Micro Hut replaced. It would also have been nice to recognize some of the businesses that survived and grew, like Hamilton’s—it was (and to many still is) the place to eat—they even had bingo every week. Joeten should also be recognized—they grew and grew, and when they did, they made sure their customers were provided with convenient off-street parking—that’s good business sense!
William E. Wanket
Saipan
