Nick and Pamela renew marital vows

Hyatt Regency Saipan general manager Nick Nishikawa and wife Pamela marked 25 years of wedded bliss on Tuesday with a renewal of vows at the Hyatt’s garden gazebo—an intimate ceremony witnessed by just a few family members, friends, and colleagues.

The couple, clad in matching island attire, renewed their vows in a ceremony officiated by Manuel Cabaluna. Reception immediately followed, with a cocktail menu specially prepared by executive chef Gabriele Colombo.

Malaysian native Pamela revealed that their love story started when they were both working at the Shangri-la owned Golden Sands Resort in Penang where she was employed as a telephonist while Nick was the sales manager. Their union gave birth to two daughters, one of whom is on the family way.

“Nick has a very good heart,” Pamela replied when asked what endeared Nick to her. “He’s shown his good heart in so many ways. He is a good father and a good husband. He takes care of all of us.”

Their silver wedding anniversary is indeed a special and meaningful day, according to both Pamela and Nick, who also said that Pamela’s caring ways have made him love her more through the years.

“Twenty-five years of being married is a memorable event to celebrate. There were many ups and downs but it’s very important for a family to get together and keep a tight relationship. We’re very much happy to share this occasion with our family and colleagues,” said Nick, who hails from Nagasaki.

Nick and his wife look forward to a complete family celebration of their anniversary once their other daughter arrives in November from Australia. “By then, our family is complete and we will celebrate the occasion.”

When asked what their secret is to a successful marriage, both husband and the wife replied “patience” and “God.”

“Marriage is always a struggle. For every married couple, there is always the good and the bad but the main important thing is to have God in your life. Your faith in God can help keep the marriage going,” Pamela told Saipan Tribune after the ceremony.

Hyatt executive chef Colombo said the food selection are some of the Nishikawa couple’s favorites, which included crepe with smoked salmon and sour cream, parma with bread, chicken kelaguen and titiyas, tuna tatake, Malaysian spring roll, spinach bacon tart, macaroon and coconut tartlet.

Hyatt’s Star Society Band provided background entertainment.

The ceremony was coordinated by Watabe Wedding. Branch manager Ayumi Hiramine disclosed that this is the first time that their company organized a ceremony for renewal of wedding vows.

“We thought it’s a great way to better promote Saipan to tourists as both a wedding and a wedding anniversary destination,” she said.

Hiramine said the opportunity came when Nick and Watabe Wedding general manager Kentaro Egawa, who have a very good relationship, talked about doing the ceremony during Hyatt’s 30th anniversary party.

Watabe Wedding, Hiramine said, started coordinating weddings on Saipan in 1994. These weddings are normally held in chapels of different hotels on island.

Previously, 95 percent of their clients were Japanese, Hiramine said. These days, Chinese tourists take up about 10 percent of their market, with a few local couples now and then.

“We hope that Mr. and Mrs. Nishikawa’s renewal of vows will encourage more tourists to celebrate their wedding anniversaries here on Saipan. We’re also very happy that we made Mr. and Mrs. Nishikawa happy on their special day,” she added.