Okinawa group makes 43rd pilgrimage to Saipan

Eighty-six members of the Micronesian Repatriation of Okinawa, who were born in Micronesia during the Japanese era of administration, arrived on island yesterday morning for their annual pilgrimage.

This year marks the group’s 43rd visit to Saipan and the 35th for Tinian, said director Gordon I. Marciano of PDI, which coordinated the visit.

Marciano said the visiting group will hold its memorial service for Saipan at the Okinawa Peace Memorial in Suicide Cliff in Marpi at 11am today and is scheduled to hold another service at the Tinian Suicide Cliff Okinawa Peace Memorial on May 31 at 10am.

“The community is invited to participate in the peace ceremony tomorrow and on the 31st on Tinian,” he said.

According to Marciano, many of the guests were excited upon arrivingat 3:05am, looking forward to visiting the sites where they grew up in the Commonwealth. He said they were willing to pay extra so they could stop over on Saipan and Tinian before heading out to Guam.

PDI president Takahiro Tomie led MRA’s board chair Taira Genichi, vice chair Ginoza Asami, and board member Inoue Chizu during their courtesy visit to various governmental offices.

“The group wanted to extend their utmost appreciation for the continued support the group has been receiving over the year,” said Marciano.

He said acting governor Eloy S. Inos extended his appreciation to the MRA for their continued pilgrimage tour to the Commonwealth and offered them any assistance to make their visit “most memorable.”

Saipan Mayor Donald G. Flores shared with the group a photo of his great grandfather who served during the Japanese period as municipal adviser for the local community.

Marianas Visitors Authority managing director Perry Tenorio welcomed the group with his warm Hafa Adai and Tirow salutations. The group presented Tenorio a blueprint for the interpretive signs on important sites, which Marciano said would remind Okinawans and other visitors of the places where they grew up, educated, and worked.

MRA thanked MVA’s Ed Diaz and Martin Duenas, PDI, Reps. George N. Camacho and Frederic Deleon Guerrero for cleaning the Okinawa Peace Memorial in preparation for today’s ceremony, as well as Jesus Castro of San Roque and the mayor for hosting dinner for the guests while on Saipan. Tinian Mayor Ramon M. Dela Cruz will also host a separate dinner for the group while on Tinian.

Board chair Genichi said he looks forward to the participation of the man’amko in hopes of continued goodwill between both groups.

Genichi and vice chair Asami extended their appreciation to the people of the CNMI and urged everyone to remember the late Choken Ginoza, who provided “untiring support” and contributed a collection of photos that were presented to both the CNMI Museum and the Tinian Municipality. Choken Ginoza passed away three years ago.

“Mr. Ginoza will always be remembered as the Tinian Boy,” they said.