The 2017 launch of “Neni,” the first of the 500 Sails fleet.
500 Sails proudly announces its 10th anniversary celebration with a fundraiser on Nov. 15, 2024, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan. This special evening will feature raffles, entertainment, and more, promising a night of joy and unity.
A decade of impact: our programs
500 Sails has been on a mission to revive Saipan’s cultural maritime traditions and empower the local community. Inspired by the seafaring heritage of the Chamorro and Carolinian people, 500 Sails connects youth and adults to the island’s cultural roots while fostering skills development, environmental stewardship, and cultural pride. By offering hands-on experiences in swimming, canoe-building, and sailing, the organization promotes community resilience and supports future generations.
“Neni” sails around Saipan in 2022 led by Master Navigator Mario Benito.
Over the last decade, 500 Sails has impacted the community through outreach in schools and public events and with community programs that aim to bring canoes and canoe culture back into daily life in the Marianas Islands. Some of the most popular free community programs are:
• The Sirena Project – swim lessons for women and teenage girls
• The Gamsun Project – swim lessons for high school youth in preparation for lifeguard certification classes
• Saturday Sails – traditional sailing canoe rides for the public
500 Sails partners with the Northern Marianas College Community Development Institute to train a maritime workforce in the CNMI through the Cultural Maritime Training Center. The CMTC provides professional and vocational maritime training in canoe building, professional sailing, traditional navigation, and voyaging. The CMTC also provides U.S. Coast Guard certified training for professional mariners including OUPV and master captains licenses, and American Red Cross certified training for water safety instructors and lifeguards.
A child pushes a canoe. The next decade begins.
Join us for a night to remember!
The 10th anniversary fundraiser is a celebration of the incredible milestones achieved by 500 Sails over the past decade. All proceeds from the event will support ongoing programs, ensuring the next generation can swim, build, sail, and thrive.
Don’t miss out on this memorable event — buy your tickets today! Join us for an evening of island flavors, live entertainment, raffles, and festivities at Hibiscus Hall, Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan.
Ticket Price: $100 per person or $1,000 for a reserved dinner table for eight.
Date & Time: Nov. 15, 2024, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Location: Hibiscus Hall, Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan
Program: Coming soon!
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit 500sails.org/celebration, or contact (670) 323-7245(SAIL).
Interested in becoming a sponsor? Visit 500sails.org/sponsor
Celebrate 10 years of making waves with 500 Sails — where heritage, community, and joy come together for a brighter future!
About 500 Sails
500 Sails is a 501(c)(3) and CNMI tax-exempt nonprofit organization dedicated to reviving, promoting, and preserving the maritime cultural traditions of the Mariana Islands through community engagement in canoe cultural values and activities. 500 Sails’ vision is a healthy thriving native community that has successfully integrated traditional cultural values into modern life. Major supporting partners include the CNMI Office of Indigenous Affairs and IT&E.
