By Candy Alexis D. Feliciano
Variety Features Writer
Photo by Emmanuel Erediano
A CORNERSTONE of local transportation, Islander Rent-A-Car has served the community for 41 years as a recognized Woman-Owned Business. With 10 locations across Saipan, Tinian, Rota, and Guam, the company provides an extensive line of Toyota vehicles, supported by the friendliest staff on the island.
In 1984, a handwritten contract for a manual-transmission car was the standard for getting around the island. The internet was science fiction and “sustainability” wasn’t a buzzword. That was the world Norma Marfega Arnold stepped into when she founded Islander Rent-A-Car with a few cars and a big dream.
Since then, the company has adapted to monumental shifts. It’s amazing to see how far the industry has come, the company’s management said.
These days, Islander Rent-A-Car offers a modern fleet that ranges from sedans and sports utility vehicles to minivans, because “technology has transformed the way we operate.”
What hasn’t changed is the company’s commitment to treating every customer with genuine care and island hospitality.
That commitment is the daily mission for employees like car rental agent Rizza M., who says, “I just want to make sure the customer is happy and everything goes well for them. I try to be friendly and help them the best I can, so they leave smiling.”
Her colleague, Aizel L., focuses on “making sure every customer feels welcomed and leaves happy with our service.”
“At the heart of our success is a simple but powerful formula: consistency, community, and compassion,” the management shares.
This ethos was pioneered by the company’s founder and president, Norma Marfega Arnold, a strong and empowered woman whose legacy continues to foster a unique workplace culture.
“I feel like family here,” says Aizel L. “We care about our customers and each other, and we take pride in showing real island hospitality.”
This family feeling extends to their customers. “Many companies have come and gone, but Islander Rent-A-Car has become family to most of our clients,” notes Sales and Marketing manager Maria Aileen Marfega Arnold.
This trusted relationship is what the company is most proud of. “We’re proud of the trust we’ve earned. Generations of customers have come through our doors, and many return year after year.”
As they celebrate the company’s 41st anniversary this year, Islander Rent-A-Car is not slowing down. They are “excited about what’s ahead,” with a “new branch opening at Hotel Tano Guam in December 2025.”
Looking further out, Maria Aileen Marfega Arnold shares her vision: “As we open a branch in Hotel Tano Guam this December 1st, I would like [to see Islander Rent-A-Car]
opening opportunities in Palau and [the Federated States of Micronesia].”
For its employees, being part of this 41-year legacy is a source of great professional pride.
According to Leah Capuyon, it’s “really meaningful” to know her work supports a business that’s been “helping people travel and stay connected for so long.”
Accounting assistant Mary Jhune E. feels a similar reward. “This milestone reminds me how vital consistency, accuracy, and teamwork are in sustaining something truly meaningful.”
As Islander Rent-A-Car looks ahead to the next chapter, it does so with the same spirit that started it all, a powerful dream, a commitment to community, and the same genuine care, ready to welcome customers for the next 41 years and beyond.
