(MVA) — A beach cleanup and culture presentations kicked off and a sunset fun run closed out the celebration of World Tourism Day in the Marianas on Sept. 27, 2021.
The Japanese Society of the Northern Marianas, Saipan Keepers CNMI, Miss Marianas Savannah Delos Santos, and the Marianas Visitors Authority rallied at 8:30 a.m. to clean the beach from Kilili Beach Park to Quartermaster Rd. Approximately 500 lbs. of trash was collected.
Free tours were held at the Northern Mariana Islands Museum of History & Culture beginning at 9 a.m. with students of high school Marianas Youth Welcome All Visitors Enthusiastically or MY WAVE clubs. Saipan Southern High, Marianas High, and Kagman High participated in the tours, which included cultural presentations and demonstrations of coconut oil making, coconut candy making, coconut frond weaving, and mwar (floral head lei) making by artists with the Commonwealth Council of Arts & Culture. Free museum tours were also offered to tourism partners and the general public later in the day.
“MVA is pleased to coordinate this year’s activities in celebration of World Tourism Day as a reminder of the importance of tourism for our Marianas economy and that tourism is still everybody’s business,” said MVA Managing Director Priscilla M. Iakopo. “As one Marianas, we should continue to protect our environment and take pride in our culture, our pristine islands, and our warm hospitality. We extend a warm si Yu’us ma’ase, olomwaay, and thank you for everyone who joined this year’s celebration,”
World Tourism Day 5K Sunset Fun Runs were held on Rota, Tinian, and Saipan in the early evening. In Saipan’s run beginning at Kilili Beach Park in Susupe, 65 individuals participated, with place prizes awarded for the 5K trot. In the Men’s Division, first to cross the finish line were Dev Bachani (16:49), Tomas Abel (16:55), and Shuji Kuroda (17:21). In the Women’s Division, top finishers were Akiko Miller (19:00), Tiana Cabrera (20:13), and Lydia Tan (22:22). Brad Ruszala won 1st place for best Chamorro or Carolinian attire. Rota’s run commenced at East Harbor, and Tinian’s run began at Taga Beach.
Representatives of the Japanese Society of the Northern Marianas, Saipan Keepers CNMI, and Marianas Visitors Authority conduct a beach cleanup beginning at Kilili Beach Park in Saipan on Sept. 27, 2021, in celebration of World Tourism Day. Other volunteers begin at the Japanese tank in Chalan Laulau, Saipan.
Hitoshi Yamaguchi, left, and Seiji Sato participate in a beach cleanup in Saipan on Sept. 27, 2021, in celebration of World Tourism Day.
Katsuko Takahashi participates in a beach cleanup in Saipan on Sept. 27, 2021, in celebration of World Tourism Day.
Representatives of the Japanese Society of the Northern Marianas, Saipan Keepers CNMI, and Marianas Visitors Authority and Miss Marianas Savannah Delos Santos conduct a beach cleanup beginning at Kilili Beach Park in Saipan on Sept. 27, 2021, in celebration of World Tourism Day.
In celebration of World Tourism Day, free tours were held at the Northern Mariana Islands Museum of History & Culture for students of high school Marianas Youth Welcome All Visitors Enthusiastically or MY WAVE clubs on Sept. 27, 2021.
Mike Naputi, right, teaches coconut oil making to students of Marianas Youth Welcome All Visitors Enthusiastically or MY WAVE Clubs of Kagman High School and Saipan Southern High School in Garapan, Saipan on Sept. 27, 2021, in celebration of World Tourism Day.
Troy Laniyo, left, demonstrates coconut frond weaving to students of Marianas Youth Welcome All Visitors Enthusiastically or MY WAVE Clubs of Kagman High School, Saipan Southern High School, and Marianas High School in Garapan, Saipan on Sept. 27, 2021, in celebration of World Tourism Day.
Sixty-five participants join the World Tourism Day Sunset Run Fun in Saipan on Sept. 27, 2021. Runs were also held in Tinian and Rota.
Participants gather for the World Tourism Day Sunset Run Fun in Rota on Sept. 27, 2021.
Marianas Visitors Authority Managing Director Priscilla Maratita Iakopo awards winners of the World Tourism Day Sunset Fun Run in Susupe, Saipan on Sept. 27, 2021. From left, Shuji Kuroda, Dev Bachani, Tomas Abel, Brad Ruszala, Iakopo, Akiko Miller, Tiana Cabrera, and Lydia Tan.
