By Bryan Manabat
[email protected]
Variety News Staff
THE Commonwealth is reflecting on the life of Lino Mettao “Tata Lino” Olopai, a revered Carolinian cultural leader, master navigator, and guardian of ancestral knowledge who passed away peacefully on Jan. 29 at the age of 86. His loss is deeply felt across the Marianas, where he was widely regarded as one of the region’s most influential cultural figures.
For decades, Olopai devoted himself to preserving and sharing the history, language, and traditions of the Carolinian people. Renowned for his mastery of oral history, traditional seafaring, and non-instrument navigation, he helped spark a renaissance in cultural practices throughout the islands. Generations of navigators, students, and community members credit him as a mentor whose humility and generosity shaped their understanding of identity and heritage.
Gov. David M. Apatang and Lt. Gov. Dennis James C. Mendiola described Olopai as a cultural historian, educator, and advocate who “devoted his life to safeguarding the wisdom of our ancestors and ensuring it would continue to guide future generations.” They extended condolences to the Olopai family and to the many individuals whose lives were enriched by his teachings.
The Indigenous Affairs Office, the Northern Marianas Humanities Council, and numerous cultural institutions echoed those sentiments, calling Olopai a visionary, a knowledge bearer, and a joyful teacher who shared his wisdom freely. His work spanned writing, public education, and cultural revitalization. His book, “The Rope of Tradition: Reflections of a Saipan Carolinian,” was recently honored as the 2024 Official Adult Book Selection for the NMI Center for the Book and was featured at the National Book Festival in Washington, D.C.
As a master navigator, Olopai played a pivotal role in the revival of traditional seafaring in the Marianas. His guidance and participation in cultural voyages connected the CNMI to a lineage of Pacific wayfinders that includes master navigator Pius “Mau” Piailug. Their shared heritage helped inspire the modern resurgence of ocean voyaging across the Pacific.
Community institutions, including Joeten-Kiyu Public Library and the CNMI Supreme Court, paid tribute to Olopai’s lifelong commitment to cultural preservation, literacy, and public service. Many recalled his presence at youth programs, cultural events, and educational gatherings, where he offered stories, chants, and lessons that strengthened the islands’ cultural foundation.
A special display honoring “The Rope of Tradition” is now featured at Joeten-Kiyu Public Library’s Pacific Room, inviting the public to reflect on Olopai’s enduring contributions.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, Feb. 6, at 10 a.m. at St. Jude Chapel in Koblerville, followed by interment at Mount Carmel Cemetery in Chalan Kanoa. Family, friends, and community members are invited to gather in prayer, remembrance, and gratitude for a life devoted to service and cultural stewardship.
Though Tata Lino’s passing leaves an irreplaceable void, his legacy lives on in the knowledge he preserved, the traditions he championed, and the countless lives he touched. His voyage continues through the generations he inspired.
Bryan Manabat was a liberal arts student of Northern Marianas College where he also studied criminal justice. He is the recipient of the NMI Humanities Award as an Outstanding Teacher (Non-Classroom) in 2013, and has worked for the CNMI Motheread/Fatheread Literacy Program as lead facilitator.
