HYATT Regency Saipan on Thursday lighted its 20-foot Christmas tree with blue and orange trimmings.
Blue symbolizes the ocean while orange represents the Hyatt brand.
Glushko’s Dance Academy students, Hyatt employees and other community members pose for a photo near Hyatt Regency Saipan’s Christmas tree, Thursday.
“We want the community to be happy,” Hyatt General Manager Guillaume Delemarle said in an interview. “Although, like other hotels on island affected by the pandemic, we are still not commercially making huge profits, this season we just want to give our support to the community….”
He said the highlight of this year’s holiday season at the Hyatt is its New Year countdown and fireworks display.
“We are not going to think about profits on that day, but we want everyone to just enjoy and welcome a new beginning, a new year,” he added.
The hotel has also prepared other holiday activities, including a Christmas Eve dinner, and is inviting the community to come over and enjoy them.
During the lighting ceremony for the Christmas tree in the hotel lobby on Thursday, Glushko’s Dance Academy students entertained community members.
Monetary donations
The Hyatt, for its part, announced its support for non-profit organizations Boonie Babies Saipan and 500 Sails.
They will receive monetary donations from the hotel through a fundraising activity that started on Dec. 1, 2022, and will end on Jan. 15, 2023.
“I am a pet lover myself and…we understand that one of the critical issues we are facing right now is stray dogs and we want to help address this situation by supporting organizations that take care of dogs,” Delemarle said, referring to Boonie Babies Saipan.
“This is a beautiful island, and we want our guests to be able to walk around and explore the islands without being concerned about stray dogs,” he added.
He said the Hyatt also wants to promote 500 Sails, which has “a lot of activities such as swimming and canoeing, and these are activities that we should promote as an island that is surrounded by beautiful beaches.”
Founded by siblings Aria and Grace Keilbach, Boonie Babies Saipan takes care of stray dogs and helps find secure homes for them on island and in the U.S.
“We thank Hyatt for this great opportunity to promote what we do,” Grace Keilbach said.
Canoe culture
As for 500 Sails, which is led by Emma and her husband Peter Perez, it aims “to revive, promote, and preserve the maritime cultural traditions of the Mariana Islands through community engagement in canoe culture and activities.”
500 Sails invites the community “to participate in our regular programs, which include Dolphin Club Saipan Adult-Learn-to-Swim every morning at 6 a.m.; adult swim class on Wednesdays at 6 a.m.; Sirena Project, swim class for women on Sundays at 10 a.m.; and Gamsun Project for teenagers in preparation for lifeguard certification class on Sundays at 12:30 p.m. and Wednesdays at 4:30 p.m. Also, Lalayak (learn to sail) on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 11a.m., and rides for the community from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. All these programs take place at the Guma Sakman in Susupe and are free. Check our community calendar on Facebook at 500 Sails & Dolphin Club Saipan and on Instagram at 500sails. Also check out the classes at the Cultural Maritime Training Center at www.500sails.org.”
According to 500 Sails President Emma Perez, “The Hyatt holds a special place in my heart, since my first job on island almost nine years ago was there as a lifeguard. I learned a lot about the community and the true ‘Hafa Adai’ spirit from my coworkers and newly found friends. As president and co-founder of 500 Sails, I am honored that the Hyatt has chosen us for their fundraising campaign this holiday season. We at 500 Sails wish the community and the Hyatt smooth sailing, with strong and happy winds, lots of turtle and dolphin sightings, and shared adventures in and on the water.”
Extra special
Bea O’Malley, Hyatt’s marketing and communications manager, said: “This Christmas is extra special for the management and staff of Hyatt Regency Saipan because there is no more uncertainty now that our land lease has already been renewed.”
She added, “Our Christmas theme is a representation of how deeply committed we are to the islands and to the people.”
For the past 40 years, the lighting of its Christmas tree has been an annual tradition that Hyatt Regency Saipan shares with the community.
“It is very special because we share it with the people,” said Hyatt’s Food and Beverage Director Hani Min who arrived on island in October.
She said the ceremony gave her a feeling of closeness to the community.
