By Emmanuel T. Erediano
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Variety News Staff
DESPITE the economic and emotional impact of Super Typhoon Sinlaku in April, members of the Saipan Awaodori Team will travel to Japan next week to participate in Awaodori festivals in several cities.
For 19 years, the Saipan Awaodori Team has helped strengthen cultural ties between Japan and the CNMI. The group has taken part in Awaodori festivals in Japan for the past 18 years.
On July 7, 2026, 11 young Awaodori dancers — the largest delegation to date — are scheduled to depart Saipan to perform in festivals held over the course of two months.
The dancers include O’Ryan Wabol, 10, a Grade 4 student at William S. Reyes Elementary School; Ina V. Mettao, a Grade 6 student at Francisco M. Sablan Middle School; Julianne Elizabeth V. Mettao, Grade 8, FMS; Movansa Heben, Grade 8, FMS; Consolacion Andrea V. Mettao, Grade 10, Southern Saipan High School; Eleazir Levy V. Mettao, Grade 9, Southern Saipan High School; Leon Lexon T. Wabol, Grade 9, Marianas High School; Eljan Tibong, Grade 10, Marianas High School; I.S. Kelulau G. Mesik, Grade 9, Southern Saipan High School; and Brayden Jack B. Songsong, Grade 9, Southern Saipan High School.
They will be accompanied by Saipan Awaodori founder and Kinpachi Restaurant president Misako Kamata, along with Kinpachi Restaurant staff member Cassidy Wabol.
Connie V. Mettao, Julianne V. Mettao, Ina V. Mettao, Songsong, Leon Lexon Wabol, and O’Ryan Wabol were among the participants who traveled to Japan last year.
The team will take part in the Fourth of July, Liberation Day Parade on Beach Road before departing for Japan next week.
In Japan, the Saipan Awaodori Team is scheduled to attend the Noda Elementary School Summer Concert on July 10 and perform at the Suginami Cultural Exchange on July 14. They will also participate in a series of Awaodori festivals, including events in Katori, Shirogane, Ome Yotsuba-no-Yu, Shibukawa, Za-Koenji, Aoume, Kitamachi, Tensuiren, Noda Odori, Mitawa Awa, Sazanka, and Koenji.
In addition, the group will take part in an Asuka cruise from Aug. 9 to Aug. 14, and visit the graves of Kinpachi Restaurant founder Keiko Kamata, Tokyo Tensuiren Awaodori head Iwanami Kaichou, and his brother, Renchou. The delegation is scheduled to return to Saipan on Sept. 2, 2026.
In an interview on Thursday, Kamata said that in the aftermath of Super Typhoon Sinlaku, she initially thought it would be difficult for the group to continue its preparations. However, she said she was encouraged to see the children continue to train and prepare for this year’s cultural exchanges.
She noted that the Saipan Awaodori Team has been active for 19 years in promoting one of Japan’s most vibrant cultural traditions in the CNMI. One year after its establishment on Saipan, the team began sending young dancers to Japan to participate in festivals where the tradition originated, and the program has continued to grow since then.
Kamata said she never expected the program to last this long on the island, but credited the dedication of the young dancers. “The children have always done their best,” she said, adding that she is grateful the program continues despite ongoing challenges.
Emmanuel “Arnold” Erediano has a bachelor of science degree in Journalism. He started his career as police beat reporter. Loves to cook. Eats death threats for breakfast.
