“I’m really sorry to hear that the graffiti at the lighthouse has gotten even worse, but unfortunately, Beautify CNMI has no immediate plans to do a cleanup or repainting of the lighthouse at this time, although I would like to see that happen in the future,” Cinta Kaipat of Beautify CNMI said.
Beautify CNMI conducted several cleanups and repainting jobs on the structure in the past years.
Marianas Visitors Authority said it is sorry for the sad state of the lighthouse as it is supposed to be one of the beautiful tourist destinations on island, but there are no plans for improvements or to clean up the lighthouse because it is not under MVA’s jurisdiction.
“We would have loved to see the lighthouse transformed and made into a beautiful destination for tourists,” MVA said.
It noted that several organizations and schools have exerted efforts in the past years to clean up the lighthouse and repaint its walls but after a few days, the vandals were at it again.
The walls of the lighthouse are at the mercy of the vandals.
Outside, tall bushes and thick shrubbery have almost hidden the structure from view.
Information from the internet showed that the lighthouse, which was built by the Japanese during the 1930s, was severely damaged by U.S. warships during the Battle of Saipan in 1944, but it was repaired by the Seebees and used as a U.S. Navy communication center. It was turned into a restaurant in the 1990s but was abandoned a few years after.
In 1974, the lighthouse was placed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.
