Saipan, Hachioji South Rotary strengthen ties

Rotary Club of Tokyo Hachioji South president Shinichi Yamaguchi, center, speaks as Rotary Club of Saipan president Curtis Dancoe, left, and president-elect Ivan Ilmov listen in yesterday’s fellowship meeting hosted by the Rotary Club of Saipan at Hyatt Regency Saipan’s Sand Castle. (Jon Perez)

The Rotary Clubs of Saipan hosted a group of 50 members from Tokyo Hachioji South further strengthening their ties. A fellowship was hosted by Rotary Saipan yesterday at the Sand Castle of the Hyatt Regency Saipan.

The Tokyo Hachioji South group also left yesterday but not without giving a going-away gift—a $2,000 check—presented by president Shinichi Yamaguchi for the Typhoon Soudelor recovery program.

Rotary Saipan president-elect Ivan Ilmov thanked the kind gesture given by Japanese club as they hope to work together in other future projects. Hachioji South has already donated more than $2,500 last year in the CNMI’s Typhoon Soudelor recovery fund.

“This is a fellowship of two clubs with great leaders and members just like two spirits who are good in working together. The money will be used to support the recovery of those who are affected by the typhoon,” said Ilmov.

He also thanked Hachioji South for their hospitality and in making sure the trip of Interact members Andrea Camacho and Coleen Triana Duenas a memorable one. Rotary Saipan also hosted Shiori Koiki and Riko Yamamura in the Cultural Exchange Program.

“This a project worked together by both clubs. There’s one more program again next year. And we are looking forward for more years of our partnership,” said Ilmov.

Yamaguchi also thanked Rotary Saipan for being a hospitable host especially during Saturday’s barbecue at Hyatt’s beach side, the same day they arrived after taking the three-hour trip across the Pacific.

Aside from interacting with Rotary Club of Saipan members and discussing the exchange program, Yamaguchi said that having a memorial service for all those who died in the Battle of Saipan during World War II was also the reason for their visit.

Tokyo Hachioji South has two Shinto Buddhist priests as members and they led the memorial service held at the Banzai Cliff last Sunday, which Rotary Saipan president Curtis Dancoe said was a very solemn and moving ceremony.

Yamaguchi said that Koiki and Yamamura also enjoyed their trip to Saipan and vice versa with Camacho and Duenas. “Our students had a lot of fun and wanted to go back to Saipan and we are glad to hear that Andrea and Coleen also feel the same.”

He added that this time they are inviting Rotary Saipan members to make the trip to Japan to join them in celebrating their anniversary on May 25. “Hope to see you soon.”