Kuen Hee Han, third left, with Master Navigator Mario Benito, 500 Sails staff, and a volunteer. They are standing in front of a contemporary Chamorro canoe which was fabricated in Lower Base at the 500 Sails boatyard.
This photo was taken in the Saipan lagoon near Saipan World Resort. Here two 500 Sails canoes are pictured: Neni, green sail; and Aunty Oba, yellow sail
KUN Hee Han, 500 Sails’ managing director, said when it comes to marine tourism, “500 Sails has all the answers.”
Han is the former tour guide certification manager of the Marianas Visitors Authority. She sat down with Variety to discuss ways the tourism industry can grow.
According to MVA’s “Strategic Plan Toward Sustainable Tourism Industry 2021-2031,” one overarching goal is to “honor the heritage of the Chamorro and Carolinian people,” and to “provide authentic, meaningful, and memorable visitor experiences.”
Right now, however, Han believes that the CNMI’s economic driver lacks something quintessentially local.
“We lack a defining branding activity that makes us special, and that needs to be looked at. What makes us us? What is our identity here?” she asked.
Han said it’s time to develop cultural tourism in the Marianas with the “canoe [as] the star.”
500 Sails, a non-profit organization, fabricates Chamorro fiberglass canoes at its boatyard facility in Lower Base. The design is based on the Anson drawing from 1742. This specific canoe design can be found only in the Marianas, and is historically what Chamorros were sailing hundreds of years ago.
Han said Saturday Sails, a 500 Sails program, allows locals and tourists to ride Chamorro canoes at no cost.
The rides take place at the 500 Sails’ Guma Sakman every Saturday morning.
Han said tourists from Saipan World Resort walk over for rides during Saturday Sails.
“Through the canoes, what we’re doing is giving voice to the local population,” Han said. “With these tourists, we share the culture. In all the excitement of being on a canoe and being in this very serene environment, it’s a good way for us to share who we are.”
Han said right now, 500 Sails is also building capacity for locals to enter the marine workforce. Through its Cultural Maritime Training Center or CMTC, 500 Sails trains locals who want to be lifeguards.
Additionally, the CMTC also assists people interested in obtaining “operator of uninspected passenger vessels” captain’s licenses. Lifeguards and boat captains support tourism operations.
Han said 500 Sails is pursuing funds to build more canoes and expand their ability to offer commercial rides to tourists.
“It would rebrand [the Marianas] as a canoe destination. It would give people jobs and pride. This is something that we could offer that would make this destination special,” she said.
