Christopher Concepcion
ON Feb. 16-17, 2024, the 20th Annual Tinian Hot Pepper Festival will take place in the Marianas highlighting Tinian’s famous “donne sali,” the island’s diminutive but famously potent hot pepper.
The Tinian Hot Pepper Festival is one of a handful of annual signature events conceptualized by the then Board and management of the Marianas Visitors Authority to attract visitors and media attention to the Marianas. As with the new Rota Marathon inaugurated a couple weeks ago, Pika Festival is traditionally held on a federal holiday day weekend — Presidents Day weekend, in this case — to make it more convenient for visitors. The festival — affectionately called Pika Fest by locals — is organized in close cooperation with the Tinian Mayor’s Office, who provide a tremendous amount of manpower and in-kind support. “Pika,” of course, means “spicy hot.” “Pika” can also mean “excellent.” And if it’s extraordinarily hot or excellent, you would say “pikakaka!”
It’s been more than a decade since MVA began to place more emphasis on the Marianas as a multi-island destination. While most people in our source market countries are still more familiar with the name of “Saipan,” as a result of our marketing efforts of Tinian and Rota — their unique charms, historical and scenic sites, and special events like the Tinian Hot Pepper Festival — there is growing awareness and interest in what each of these islands has to offer. In fact, in MVA’s recent media blitz in Korea, we invited people to vote online for their favorite island, and nearly one-fourth of voters chose “Energetic Tinian” (another quarter of voters preferred “Romantic Rota”). It’s well known that some visitors simply prefer Tinian or Rota over Saipan once they experience these islands, returning time and time again to visit and even building ties with local families. This emotional connection is what many of today’s travelers are looking for — something meaningful beyond sand, surf, and sun — and the hospitality and close-knit community of Tinian offers this 365 days a year.
In addition to the charm of the people, MVA has recently turned its attention to opening historic trails to immerse visitors further in Tinian’s lush nature where they can also encounter buildings, structures, and artifacts from decades, centuries, and even millennia past. As funding allows and with the further military development of northern Tinian, we will continue look for and develop new sites to add to Tinian’s current highlights, which include the giant limestone latte stones of House of Taga and the World War II era North Field complex — both sites on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.
MVA is also always looking for ways to improve our annual signature events, and this year’s Tinian Hot Pepper Festival is no exception. We will hold the first ever Pika Run — featuring a 5K course this year — at 6 a.m. on Feb. 17. Registration is only $10, and cash prizes will be awarded in Men’s and Women’s Divisions. Registration can be made on race day from 5 a.m. to 5:30 a.m. at the start line at the Fiesta Grounds.
We’re also leveling up our classic “donne sali” eating competition — officially the Triple J Hot Pepper Eating Contest this year. We’re pitting the genders against each other in two separate showdowns on both days, again with cash prizes. May the bravest and toughest prevail! Or if you like a bit of beef with your “donne sali” check out the JC Café Burger Eating Contest. A cha-cha contest, beach volleyball contest, Mr. & Miss Pika contest for children, and Estafao Pika (spicy chicken stew) Cooking Contest are all in the works, with registration details to be announced shortly. And helping to make all the fun possible this year is our Exclusive Pika Sponsor, Docomo Pacific.
From what we’ve heard, most hotel accommodations are sold out — great news, really, but there are some excellent camping accommodations with bathrooms and showers right next to the festival grounds. Why not hop on the plane or book a ride on our boat ferry and make it a weekend with us? You can find more festival details at www.mymarianascom or @visitTheMarianas on Facebook.
As I mentioned last month when writing about Rota Marathon, convenient and affordable interisland air service is the single most important factor to the further development of interisland tourism. A longer length of stay for our average visitor would also help, as most now spend their short three-day visit only one island. But we know there is market demand for Tinian.
For sure, Pika Fest is one of the best weekends of the year to visit Tinian, along with the annual fiesta of the patron saint San Jose. But let me extend an invitation to consider travelling to Tinian on any of the other 50 weeks in the year. For the culturally curious, consider the Chief Taga Festival. For World War II history buffs, any of several memorial events held during the year, often attended by both American and/or Japanese veterans or their family members. For gourmets, the up-and-coming Beef, Beer, & Bands Festival. Or escape on any quiet weekend for some rest, relaxation, and rejuvenation on the quiet beaches and roadways of this picturesque and tranquil destination. Discover for yourself why Tinian is just “pikakaka!”
