Mariana Resort prexy confident they will get lease extension

Rep. Christopher Leon Guerrero (Ind-Saipan) shakes hands with Kan Pacific Ltd. former president Naoki Kirami, while president Yoshiro Kitami, left, and chair Harou Kitami look on during last Friday’s commemorative resolution presentation honoring Mariana Resort & Spa and its owners at the House of Representatives’ chamber. Also in photo are Mariana Resort general Gloria Cavanagh and Rep. George Camacho (R-Saipan) with other representatives in the background. (Mark Rabago)

The House of Representatives on Friday presented a commemorative resolution to Kan Pacific and a commemorative plaque to the Kitami family “for over 36 years of exceptional services provided to the people of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.”

Kan Pacific president Yoshiro Kitami, on behalf of his family, thanked the House for the honor.

“The ceremony and the recognition are greatly appreciated. It is a wonderful, humbling experience to be so respected and honored. We don’t just see ourselves as a business operating on a piece of land. We feel that we are a part of a community, and it has been a pleasure being a part of this wonderful community. We are at home here in the CNMI.”

The Marpi land lease of Mariana Resort is set to expire in 2018.

Despite reports that Best Sunshine International Ltd. wants to build is $7.1-billion integrated casino resort on the property, it is Kitami’s hope that Mariana Resort will continue to operate on the island.

“We are confident that another long-term arrangement will be entered with the CNMI because that is truly what is in the best interests of this community. We are looking forward to continuing to be a contributing member of this wonderful community,” he said.

The author of the commemorative resolution, Rep. Christopher Leon Guerrero (Ind-Saipan), said he wanted to honor Mariana Resort and the Kitami family for close to 40 years of being a loyal and responsible corporate citizen of the CNMI.

The lawmaker said despite the bursting of the Japanese economic bubble in the late 1990s and the departure of Japan Airlines in 2005, Kan Pacific has remained on the islands and is one the longest-tenured Japanese-owned businesses in the Commonwealth.

“We still need Japanese businesses. In fact, I’d like to see Japanese businesses return and thrive in the CNMI and eventually bring back the Japanese tourist market,” said Leon Guerrero.

As representative of Precinct 4, where the Marianas Resort property is located, Leon Guerrero said he would like to see Kan Pacific’s 40-year land lease extended anew by the Department of Public Lands.

Mariana Resort general manager Gloria Cavanagh said some 50 of the hotel’s employees attended Friday’s commemorative resolution and plaque presentation.

Other heads of Japanese businesses on the island also went to Capital Hill, including Pacific Development, Inc. president Takahiro Tomie and general manager Masanori Takahashi, R&C Tours general manager Takayuki Tanaka, HIS Tours general manager Ryusuke Asakura, Aqua Resort Club general manager Hiroyuki Toyoshima, Tropical Laundry president Mr. Kobayashi, Laolao Bay Golf & Resort general manager and senior vice president Tetsuya Matsunaga, and PMT Tours Saipan general manager Masaru Sunaga. Matsunaga also serves as president of the Japan Association, while Sunaga is the head of the Japan Saipan Travel Association.

According to the commemorative resolution, Kan Pacific and the CNMI government executed a lease agreement in December 1977 for approximately 146 hectares of property in Marpi. Since then, Mariana Resort has grown into a first class facility that includes a 74-room low-rise set of suites, 50 Bali-style cottages, acclaimed spa and dining facilities, racing circuits for go-karts, a mini golf course, driving range, and an 18-hole golf course.