Saipan Mayor Donald G. Flores appointed Hofschneider, the Saipan Higher Education Financial Assistant administrator, as officer-in-charge before leaving for Hawaii where he will attend the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Council. He will be back on Aug. 8.
Hofschneider said he will remain SHEFA administrator while performing the responsibilities of the mayor whose travel to Hawaii, he added, was paid by the federal government.
The Sanpoen group and some staff of the mayor’s office, including Mayor Flores’ wife Cecilia offered prayers before sending off floating lanterns in the lagoon.
Hofschneider said the visiting students were excited to be on Saipan.
The exchange program, he added, should be promoted extensively to allow participation of more local government agencies and private companies.
Schools and institutions from Japan and South Korea have been sending students to Saipan for the cultural exchange program for many years now.
Flores’ predecessor, Mayor Juan B. Tudela, wanted to make the annual pilgrimage a big event on Saipan with the support of the CNMI government, business sector and community.
The mayor’s executive secretary and cultural exchange program coordinator Vinycia Seman said the Sanpoen group arrived here on July 29.
While on Saipan, the group will be staying with their homestay sponsors. They will leave the island on Aug. 4.
During weekend, the group visited American Memorial Park, Sugar King Park, the Last Command Post, Banzai Cliff, Suicide Cliff and other tourist sites.
Yesterday, the group was on Managaha.
Seman said the mayor’s office will hold a Sayonara Party on Aug. 3 for the Sanpoen group.
