Beach Road Magazine - July 2018

Last first ascent

Highpointers climb Agrihan Summit

Summer fun

Things to do on Saipan

Chamorro pride

Artists create traditional jewelry

JULY 2018 Last first ascent

Highpointers climb Agrihan Summit

Summer fun

Things to do on Saipan

Chamorro pride

Artists create traditional jewelry

Local artists create jewelry from local and regional natural sources.

See page 24.

ABOUT THE COVER Gary Reckellhoff and his team of 12 men from across the United States were the first to reach the summit of Agrihan — the highest point in Micronesia. See story on page 4.

3 Calendar

Photo by Josh Gonzales

July events

4-7 Cover Feature The last first ascent

8-9 Listicle 10 summer things to do in Saipan

11 Eater's Digest 17 Cruise Control

Glimpses Publications include Guam Business Magazine, Marianas Business Journal, MBJ Life, Beach Road Magazine and Buenas

2003 Lexus LS430 "VIP"

23 Sports A pescadot's perspective

24-26 Artist Local jewelry celebrates Chamorro pride

30 Event Fisherman gear up for annual fishing derby

33 On the Road Event photos and special messages

35 Coupons Special offers and discounts

We’re Online! www.brmsaipan.com

beachroadmagazine

PUBLISHER Maureen N. Maratita BUSINESS EDITOR Meghan Hickey LIFESTYLE EDITOR Lara O. Neuman REPORTERS John I. Borja Wayne Chargualaf EDITORIAL INTERN Lee Ann Jastillana CREATIVE DEPARTMENT SUPERVISOR Vikki Fong DESIGN & PRODUCTION Conrad Calma Jr. Keisha Marie Gozum Louisa Joy Castro GENERAL SALES MANAGER Ken Duenas MANAGING DIRECTOR Marcos W. Fong Beach Road Magazine, July 2018. Entire contents copyrighted 2018 by Glimpses of Saipan, Inc. Beach Road Magazine is published monthly by Glimpses of Saipan, Inc. P.O. Box 502080, Saipan, MP 96950 • 2/F Transpac Business Center Gualo Rai, Saipan • Tel: (670) 235-7645 • Fax: (670) 234-1801 • E-mail: saipan@ glimpsesofguam.com. All rights reserved. No material may be printed in part or in whole without written permission from the publisher.

Glimpses of Guam Inc. Mission Statement: To connect people with information.

JULY EVENTS June 29 - July 7 Liberation Day festivities: “Sea to Shining Sea” Time: 6 p.m.to 10 p.m., closing at 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays Location: Garapan Fishing Base Fourth of July Parade starts at 3 p.m., begins at National Office Supply and concludes at the Garapan Fishing base.

July 5 - 8 CNMI’s first Disability Sports Festival Time: 1 p.m. to 8 p.m., July 5; 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., July 6; 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., July 7; 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., July 8 Location: Marianas High School gym and facilities Contact: Email Nick Gross at nick.gross@ cnmipss.org to register.

July 6 “U.S. Constitutional Rights in the Territories and the CNMI” presentations Time: 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Location: American Memorial Park Visitors Center Theater Admission is free. For more details, contact Eulalia V. Arriola via e-mail at cnmibar@gmail.com.

July 10 - 12 American Memorial Park Junior Ranger Summer Camp Session 2 Provides opportunities for youth to explore the great outdoors while learning about the park, Saipan history, and other significant WWII sites on island The camp is open to students in the 6th to 8th grades.

Time: 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Location: San Antonio Youth Center (Pick Up) Contact: Call Ranger Brooke Nevitt at American Memorial Park at 234-7207 ext. 2020 or email at brooke_nevitt@nps.gov.

July 14 - 15 34th annual Saipan International Fishing tournament Time: 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Tournament registration: $150 per boat, inclusive of a captain and one crew member.

Each additional angler is $25. Preregister between 5 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. on July 13 at Smiling Cove Marina.

July 17-19 American Memorial Park Junior Ranger Summer Camp Session 3 Time: 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Location: Tanapag Youth Center July 19 “Excelling in Professional Relationships” training seminar presented by Saipan Chamber of Commerce/ Island Training Solutions Time: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Location: Saipan Chamber of Commerce conference room at Marianas Business Plaza, 3rd Floor, Suite #315 Registration fee: $50 per person for chamber members and $55 for non-members Reservations and advance payment required.

To register, call 234-7150 or email coordinator@ saipanchamber.com.

July 24 – 26 American Memorial Park Junior Ranger Summer Camp Session 4 Time: 7:30 a.m.to 2:30 p.m.

Location: Chacha Oceanview Middle School

COVER FEATURE

THE LAST FIRST ASCENT

By Meghan Hickey What Gary Reckelhoff didn’t know when he started his highpointing pursuit in 2016 was that the highest point in both the Northern Mariana Islands and all of Micronesia — the approximately 3,200-foot top of Agrihan — was believed to be the last entity under a flag to have its peak unclimbed.

“The goal of reaching the top of Agrihan was important, because it's the last first ascent to the highest point of a U.S. state or territory,” Reckelhoff says. “The NMI is part of the fabric that makes up the United States, so I knew I wanted to climb it and the other territories before I even climbed my first state highpoint. I learned it had been attempted twice in 2014 and 2015 without success and instantly became infatuated with the romance of climbing this sleeping volcano in the remote Pacific Ocean. The allure of being the first if we succeeded was just icing on the cake.”

Reckelhoff grew up hiking small trails in local parks, but it wasn’t until he began studying abroad in college that he found himself spending a lot of his free time seeking out hikes across fields in rural England or in the rugged Swiss Alps. Hailing from Cincinnati, Ohio — which he admits “is no bastion of mountaineering” — he discovered the University of Cincinnati Mountaineering Club in 2012 and fell in with its huge community of likeminded outdoor enthusiasts who not only encouraged him to seek out his own adventure but, more essentially, he says, passed down the skills to do it and come back alive.

“Personally, I think I climb for the pristine wilderness, the time spent laughing (and suffering) with friends and for the challenge to see if I can find my limits.”

It was through this group that Reckelhoff became a “highpointer” — someone who aspires to reach the point with the highest natural elevation in a given area. Highpoints can range from the summit of continents to that of local counties. Only about 305 people have reached the top of all 50 states, though Reckelhoff himself chose in 2016 to pursue all 56 U.S. highpoints — the states, five island territories (American Samoa, the NMI, Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands) and Washington D.C. 4

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Photo by Gary Reckelhoff

COVER FEATURE

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Photo by Peter Frick-Wright

Photos by Gary Reckelhoff

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Highpointing is eventually what brought the 12 men from across the United States and around the world together on May 26 to board the Super Emerald — which originally ferried passengers between Saipan and Tinian in the early 1990s — out of Saipan with an untold amount of gear and six hired local guides to begin the estimated 22-hour, 250mile journey north to Agrihan.

Upon reaching the expansive black sand beaches of Agrihan on May 27, the team lost no time in beginning their ascent through jungle, sword grass and steep ridgelines, which navigated incorrectly could easily add one to two days to the exploration. The knowledge of having fallen short of reaching the summit in 2015 due to limited supplies and knowledge meant that the team intended not to waste any time or resources.

“Entering the jungle-like forest environment at lower elevation is thick, so much that full shade is one of few redeeming traits amidst the innumerable flies, humidity, branches and floor of coconuts trying to upend you with every step,” Reckelhoff says. “The sound of large feral hogs just off trail and long monitor lizards with sharp claws clinging to palm trees keeps your senses heightened.”

For six days the team of 18 foraged ahead, marking trail with pink tape to aid the supply line following and clearing coconuts, tree trunks and adjusting the trail to match the contour of the land. Streamlining the trail was essential to moving supplies up the mountain when immovable obstacles like slick volcanic rock creek beds and ravines stood in the way. Each climber carried up to 32 pounds of water in

COVER FEATURE

Photos by Gary Reckelhoff

addition to their own gear and water supply in their pack, as well as ropes, climbing equipment and tarps for sleeping under along the journey.

On the morning of June 2, day seven of the ascent, the 12 non-local team members woke up from the camp they had set up just below P960 — the point previously named for its presumed elevation in meters — and together they summitted the peak. Ten continued to traverse with steel and aluminum stakes, rope lines and a narrow cable caving ladder run up an otherwise impassible mud wall to reach P952, which they later would calculate to be the true summit of Agrihan.

Exhausted and accomplished, most of the team descended to the beach — a hike that can now be done in four hours ascent and three hours descent by an experienced hiker thanks to the markings and trail cut by the summit team. Four team members stayed at the summit for one more night at camp, before descending and helping the rest of the team work to clear the trail of any evidence they were there. A few relaxing days at the beach, and the Super

Emerald was back to pick them up on June 6 — 11 days after originally dropping the team off on Agrihan.

Welcomed back to Saipan with hot pizza and cold drinks waiting for the team on shore, the last first ascent was accomplished. Customary for the mountain climbers of a successful first ascent to name the summit, the team chose to defer the naming of Agrihan’s summit to the people of the NMI. “We ask community members to consider the beauty, ruggedness and nature of the island’s summit and submit suggestions in the native Chamorro language to Gary Sword at KKMP 92.1FM in Saipan or online at www.cnmiradio. com,” Reckelhoff says.

Summit achieved, team member Reid Larson is the first, and for the moment, only person to hold claim to having achieved all 56 summits, with many of the team hot on his heels. Following his successful climbs of Agrihan and later Mt. Lamlam on Guam, Reckelhoff now has 46 under his belt with eight states and two territories remaining, which he hopes to finish in mid-2019.

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LISTICLE

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10 SUMMER THINGS TO DO ON SAIPAN

By Lee Ann Jastillana

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lthough summers are technically year-long in Saipan, the months from June through August more energetically call for spending time with friends, ordering (and snapping pictures of) smoothie bowls and taking advantage of the island’s natural beauty. Here are ten things to do to enjoy the summer months.

1. Unwind at Mandi Asian Spa It’s important to take a break from work and school, and Mandi Asian Spa at the Marianas Resort & Spa is the perfect place to do so. Be sure to bring a local ID (driver’s license, student ID, etc.) with you to avail the $15 local rate. General entry gives you access to all the spa facilities including the pool, sauna, jacuzzi, flower bath, library, locker and shower room and gym. For inquiries, contact the spa at 322-0770.

2. Hike to Bird Island Bird Island looks better up close, and a short hike with friends could be very rewarding. Before the Bird Island lookout, there is a hike trail heading left, right down Bird Island Lane. The hike is short, roughly around 10 to 15 minutes down a steep hill. The small pools of water and cave structures around Bird Island are filled with colorful fish and crabs, making it excellent for marine wildlife viewing.

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3. Befriend a stingray at Seatouch Saipan Located at the Fiesta Resort and Spa beach, Seatouch Saipan offers the unique opportunity to swim with, hold and even kiss a stingray. The activity is great for those who want to connect with marine wildlife. The activity lasts for about an hour, with 40 to 45 minutes of it spent in the water. For visitors, the experience costs $60 for adults and $40 for kids. For locals, the experience costs $40 for adults and $20 for kids. For inquiries or reservations, contact Seatouch Saipan at 233-7297 or sales@seatouchsaipan.com.

4. Take a day trip to Mañagaha Mañagaha’s clear blue waters and gorgeous views make it a great weekend getaway. To get there for free, locals can make a reservation with Tasi Tours at least one day before the intended visit. Locals are required to bring photocopies of their IDs to the Tasi Tours office in order to be issued a ferry ticket. For inquiries and reservations, contact Tasi Tours at 237-4259.

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5. Enjoy an acai bowl at The Shack The Shack menu looks and feels exactly like summer should — fresh and vibrant. An acai bowl is a must during the summer months because it’s a great way to beat the heat and will equally look good on that Instagram feed! An acai bowl comes in at $6, but The Shack also offers other fruity bowl options. For inquiries, contact The Shack at 235-7422.

jungles via all-terrain vehicle. You’re given the option of driving the ATV/UTV but drivers must be at least 16 years old and should have a valid driver’s license. The tour lasts one hour and costs $85 for visitors and $60 for locals. Pair the land tour with other Let’s Go Marianas activities to avail more discounted rates and local restaurant deals. For inquiries and reservations, contact Let’s Go Marianas at 322-5387 or sales@letsgo-saipan.com.

6. Book a karaoke room at Zoom Café Booking a karaoke room with friends and family is a terrific way to let your hair down at the end of a long work day (or tough school year). The karaoke rooms at Zoom Café in Susupe go for $20 an hour. Belting out your favorite ballads and dancing to throwback songs make for a lively summer evening out. For inquiries and reservations, contact Zoom Café at 234-1010.

9. Catch up on summer reading with Joeten Kiyu’s Annual Collaborative Summer Library Joeten Kiyu Public Library hosts its second annual collaborative summer library this year, and the theme, “Libraries Rock,” pulls in music-related books and events including writing workshops and music classes. On-site registration is open to teens and adults. Reading logs are to be submitted by July 25 — the last day of the program.

For inquiries, contact the library at 235-7322.

7. Go parasailing Take in an exhilarating view of Saipan’s waters through a parasailing tour. The tour costs $50 for both tourists and locals through Saipan Tours. The experience lasts for 25 minutes (10 minutes in the air), and reservations are accepted online or by phone. For inquiries and reservations, contact Saipan Tours at 789-8329.

8. Take an ATV/UTV land tour with Let’s Go Marianas Som etimes it’s necessary to take a break from the air-conditioned indoors and truly explore the island. The Let’s Go Marianas land tour takes you around Saipan’s

10. Invite friends to Pacific Island Club’s happy hour Drinks with friends are always a good idea. You don’t even have to be 21 to enjoy PIC’s Seaside Grill happy hour as it offers a selection of discounted smoothies and virgin drinks to choose from. Located outside the Seaside Grill restaurant, the line-up of chairs and tables by the beach ensure a gorgeous ocean view, making it a great place to be during golden hour. The bar also gives out complimentary seasoned potato skins, which is reason enough to go. Happy hour lasts from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. For inquiries, contact PIC’s front desk at 234-7976.

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Feature sponsored by Subway

EATER'S DIGEST

“It’s delicious. I prefer wraps to the sandwich — it tastes different. I get the rotisserie-style chicken and I put everything in, everything except tomatoes. It’s Subway’s best thing on the menu.”

— Steven Llagas, baggage handling system supervisor, Commonwealth Ports Authority

“It’s light and it’s filling and it’s still not as heavy as the regular bread. I like spinach, grilled chicken and light salt and pepper. I’ve tried it with the steak, and it works with all different fillings. It’s good to have that flavor without the heaviness of the bread. I like the avocado green wrap with a little bit of chicken, light sauce like chipotle mayo.”

— Shayne Villanueva, owner, Roil Soil Clothing

“The prime rib at Kevin's — The Prime Rib & Seafood is phenomenal. The high-quality meat served reminds me of upscale steakhouses found in Tokyo, San Francisco or New York. The ambiance, accompanying dishes and great service make it stand out even more. The personal attention to detail is something not found in most restaurants in the Marianas. The CNMI needed a new high-end dining venue and Kevin's answered that call. It's a great place for a date night or a family dinner. I highly recommend Kevin's to our residents and visitors alike.”

— Christopher A. Concepcion, managing director, Marianas Visitors Authority

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One of the oldest local restaurants on Saipan keeps doing what they do best — service with a smile and serving local favorite entrees from the corn beef fried rice to the traditional golden fried chicken. You are assured nothing but great flavor with local veggies and home-style cooking. The restaurant has every entrée for every mood every day of the week. Stop by today and treat yourself to a well-deserved meal at a reasonable price.

CRUISE CONTROL

Sponsored by

2003 Lexus LS430

Owner: Paul Guerrero Engine: 4.3L DOHC V8 Body: Duraflex five-piece body kit Paint: 202 black Chromax paint Suspension: Megan EZ Street Coil overs Wheels/Tires: front — XIX 20X9 rims wrapped with 225/30/20 nankang tires / rear — XIX 20x10 wheels wrapped with 255/30/20 Nankang tires Stopping: Front and rear cross-drilled/slotted brake rotors with ceramic brake pads ICE: Pioneer double din media/video player, (2) 12-inch Sundown Audio subwoofers with custom built ported box, Sundown 1500-watt Class D amplifier

Interior: Junction Produce Gold Tsuna Knot, Fusa Kiku Knot, seat cushions, neck pads, steering wheel cover Shout-outs: My wife Mae, our kids would be the first.

Shout out to Charlie Peters and Jason Forrestor for their help and most important the sponsors: Proline Guam, Jimbo Cruz, GSM, Atkins Kroll Saipan, Uttams, Mid-Pac Micronesia, Team Tang’nga.

“It’s the only one this style on Saipan. It’s always nice to be unique. It also brings our family together because even our kids are into anything with wheels and a motor.”

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Delta Management Corp. won Shell’s Retailer of the Year and Gold Retailer awards again this year.

“This is particularly rewarding since in May Delta Management celebrated its 20th year in business,” says Owner James T. Arenovski.

The awards are part of Shell’s People Make the Difference Real program. Winners are chosen based on meeting or exceeding fuel and store sales targets, a mystery customer/service excellence program, physical site visits for the station and property appearance and cleanliness and health, safety, security and environment records and adherence.

Station operators who attend this event are considered the top 1% of Shell operators in the world.

“This is quite an honor and this is our second year winning our region. We operate four sites in Saipan and the collective scores are tallied to determine the winner,” Arenovski says. “It is always a tight competition, which makes it even more satisfying to win two years in a row.” Winners travelled to the PMDTR Smiling Stars event, held May 9 to May 11 in Dubai.

SPORTS

Photos courtesy of Diego and Vicky Benavente

A PESCADOT'S PERSPECTIVE

By John I. Borja Seasoned fisherman Diego T. Benavente knows a thing or two about reeling in all kinds of fish, given he has spent 50 years of his life fishing out at sea.

Many Saipan residents may know Benavente as a politician. He was the lieutenant governor of the Northern Mariana Islands from 2002 to 2006 and served in the NMI House of Representatives from 1989 to 2001 and 2007 to 2012. Beyond the political career, however, is a lifelong passion to sail out to the reef and throw lines.

“I’ve been fishing almost all my life,” he says. “I grew up with my father owning several boats. He also had a fish market which started off selling from our house.”

Benavente had to slow down a bit with fishing as he engaged in public service, but now six years away from politics, he says he tries to fish at least once a week. He is an original member of the Saipan Fishermen’s Association and the rules chairman for the association’s annual Saipan International Fishing Tournament, of which his team won twice for biggest catch.

The 59-year-old often fishes with his core team of wife Vicky Benavente, son James Benavente and longtime friend Scott Shular. Equipped with the proper lure and baits to attract bigger fish, especially marlin, the team of four rides out on a 24-foot locally built catamaran to troll. This fishing method essentially casts a bunch of lures and lines behind the boat and slowly pulls it along. It’s an effective method, Benavente says, not only for catching but to calm his motion sickness.

“I tend to get seasick when the boat’s not moving, like when you’re going bottom fishing. That’s a really

good way to get the big fish but I feel better when there’s movement and wind breeze,” he says.

Benavente, who finds thrill in competing, always has his eyes set on the big fish — those more than 100 pounds — and it’s the category he tends to compete in at fishing derbies. He and his team have fished in the NMI, Guam, Majuro, Pohnpei and Palau. The team holds the record for biggest marlin in the Palau fishing tournaments, weighing more than 400 pounds, according to Benavente.

It may sound tough to land the heavier catches, but Benavente said it can be done with patience and a synergistic team. The boat itself has to be used to pull the fish, making sure to veer left or right to tire the fish and keep it in the boat’s posterior, he says.

“You’re fighting the fish with the boat. You always want it behind you, so make sure you keep the boat moving,” he says.

A man of his experience has a lot of other pointers to give when fishing. Benavente says the ideal time to fish is usually two hours before high tide until two hours after the tide recedes. He also says fish tend to be harder to find and catch during a full moon, and that a flock of birds is a good indicator of where a school of yellowfin tuna, skipjack tuna or mahi mahi may be.

The NMI has an abundance of productive fishing spots, such as the reefs north and west of Saipan and west and south of Tinian. But before any boat detaches from the harbor, Benavente says fishermen should always take three things into consideration.

“There’s boating safety, making sure you have the right equipment and having adequate knowledge of the ocean,” he says. “Just be prepared.”

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ARTIST

Photos by Chelu Photos

LOCAL JEWELRY CELEBRATES CHAMORRO PRIDE

By Lee Ann Jastillana

T

he seashell and tortoise-shell necklaces ancient Chamorros wore slowly faded during Spanish colonization, replaced by rosaries and, later, gold and silver jewelry. Today, however, we see Chamorro jewelry making a comeback as more men and women don traditional shell adornments. Two local artists, Zenn Tomokane and James Aldan, have taken to simple, handheld tools to create traditionally-inspired jewelry that both capture the island’s natural beauty and inspire local pride.

The island’s gold Zenn Tomokane Zenn Tomokane meticulously scans Saipan’s beaches in search of shells. He picks a piece up, places it on his wrist and imagines the bracelet that could come out of it.

The shell is then tucked away for later use. Although the 24 JULY 2018

search is tedious, Tomokane says finding special pieces feels just like striking gold.

When he’s not fulfilling his duties as the executive sous chef at Hyatt Regency Saipan, Tomokane spends hours in his bathroom, cutting, shaping, sanding and buffing shells to make locally-inspired necklaces, earrings and bracelets.

Tomokane’s jewelry pieces are simple, and he enjoys preserving the natural beauty of shells he uses. To him, a shell’s bumps, curves and scratches give it character and make each jewelry piece one of a kind. His signature piece, which he named, “the executive,” is a knotted string bracelet with a rectangular shell at the center.

Though cut, the shells maintain a lot of their natural color and texture.

He describes his jewelry as being very versatile — one can wear a necklace out to both casual and dressy events.

One of his necklaces has white jade beads leading up to the center piece — a spondylus shell cut in the shape of a sinahi, or crescent moon.

ARTIST

“There’s a local pride to it — wearing it,” Zenn says.

“It stands out.”

Tomokane’s interest in Chamorro jewelry began with a spondylus shell necklace his cousin’s husband gave to him. After returning to Saipan from New Jersey in 2015, Tomokane wanted his children to sport local jewelry much like the piece gifted to him. He quickly discovered that similar jewelry sold on island carried heavy price tags and decided to try his hand at jewelry making.

“Oh, did I find out right away how difficult it was to make the jewelry,” Tomokane says. “I understood the reason why it was so expensive — it takes so much time.”

Through seeking advice and tips from other local jewelry makers, Tomokane taught himself the ropes and worked hard to perfect his signature touch. Coworkers, friends and relatives took notice of the handcrafted pieces Tomokane wore, and the requests for jewelry poured in.

The jewelry making process begins outdoors at the beach where Tomokane spontaneously collects shells.

Occasionally, he acquires shells online or through trading and sharing. He brings the collected shells home and roughly pencils out the parts he intends to cut. He then makes the cuts, grinds the shell and sands it to achieve a “mirror-like” or glass effect.

Tomokane primarily works with shells, precious stones and braided fishing line. He uses a simple Dremel rotary tool to craft his pieces. Given he works full time at the hotel, completing a bracelet takes him about a week.

Necklaces and shell beads take him months to finish.

“I don’t mind the long, tedious process because it just

comes out a better product,” Tomokane says.

When it comes to creating art, Tomokane heavily emphasizes the significance of staying true to himself and doing what he can with the island’s resources.

“People from mountain countries may be really good at making a bow and arrow, a wooden spear or stone artifacts. They might be next to a gold mine, so they’d have gold jewelry,” Tomokane explains. “These shells are our gold. These are our resources.”

Although he’s put jewelry making on hold to pursue his executive food and beverage certification, Tomokane’s already got shells and ideas set aside for future projects.

Worn with pride James Aldan James Aldan lays out three of his art pieces on the wooden table at MangoSix Cafe: a smooth, white hook, a smaller ridged purple hook and a simple black string necklace with a big purple shell pendant. Aldan, a local jewelry maker, has always been enamored of nature and much of his work is reflective of such.

“I’m not fascinated with gold or silver,” Aldan says. “It just came to me that I wanted to wear something local.”

Aldan’s rings, necklaces, earrings and bracelets are made of shells, tusks, bones and beads. His specialty, however, is his hooks, which he’s recently been making out of spondylus shells.

Spondylus shells, or oyster shells that usually don a bright orange color, are regularly used in Chamorro jewelry. According to Aldan, the ancient Chamorros used JULY 2018 25

ARTIST

spondylus shells as a form of currency. Aldan believes that the resurgence of spondylus jewelry is heavily tied to this traditional use.

Like other jewelry makers, Aldan looks through beaches for shells that catch his eye. Other times, Aldan trades and shares shells with fellow artists. When he does pick a piece up, he says it doesn’t take long for him to feel inspired.

“The shell tells me what I’m going to do with it,” Aldan says. If it looked like a shark tooth, he’d carve it like one.

Aldan begins by first examining the shells he intends to use. Some shells require more cuts and sanding, while others are found ready to use. As much as possible, Aldan tries to keep his shells looking natural.

For necklaces and bracelets, Aldan’s next step is to match the shell piece with beads. A fan of mixing in jewelry pieces from other cultures, Aldan often orders Hawaiian, Palauan and Native American beads and materials to use in his jewelry. In this way, Aldan tries to set himself apart from other artists.

“Not only do I want to represent our culture, I want to represent others, too,” Aldan says. “I want to mix it up.”

The necklace is then cut, smoothed down and strung depending on the preferences of the person who ordered it. Aldan uses a hacksaw, sandpaper and a simple Dremel

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rotary tool to accomplish this. Sometimes, the shells are shaped into whale tails, latte stones or seahorses.

No jewelry duplicates are ever created, and all sales made are individual, specialized orders. Customers even have leeway to choose what beads they want and where they want the beads from. Aldan heavily emphasizes the importance of ensuring his pieces are sturdy and high quality because, in this way, he hopes his customers are able to wear the jewelry like he would — with confidence.

“Even if I’ve sold it to them, it’s still precious to me,” Aldan says. “I made it and I want them to wear it proudly.”

Growing up, Aldan never saw his parents making Chamorro jewelry. He says the younger generations are responsible for the growing popularity of the local accessories, and he encourages participation in the craft.

“We first start seeing it and hearing about it, and then we start learning about it,” Aldan says. “The best way to learn about it is to be hands-on.”

Collaboration plays a big role in the craft. Aside from just trading and sharing materials, Aldan plans on collaborating and registering as an artist with fellow jewelry maker Zenn Tomokane. With Tomokane, Aldan hopes to bring something new to next year’s Flame Tree Arts Festival by utilizing natural materials and taking in other cultural influences.

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EVENT

FISHERMEN GEAR UP FOR ANNUAL FISHING DERBY

By John I. Borja The 34th annual Saipan International Fishing Tournament is expected to bring in dozens of contestants to test their skills in wrangling in their best catch. The tournament is set to kick off July 14 and continue into July 15.

Edward Diaz, community projects specialist with the Marianas Visitors Authority, says the event over the years has been a great opportunity for tourism.

“Our main participants are from Guam and Saipan, but we’ve also seen interest from Korea, China and Japan,” he says.

Even fellow islanders from the Federated States of Micronesia come out to participate, according to Saipan Fishermen’s Association President Gene Weaver. Entering his 11th year as the association’s lead, Weaver says the tournament was created to bring together all kinds of fishermen for a fun-filled event.

“This is something we started to give our weekendwarrior type fishermen something fun to do. The event draws out a lot of people who like to watch the boats, too. You tend to see a lot of people hanging out and barbecuing,” Weaver says.

Contestants are divided by boats, and each boat can have a captain and at least one angler. A team can add on more anglers at an additional cost. Boats will launch at the Fishing Base, the Sugar Dock and the Smiling Cove Marina between 6 a.m. to 8 a.m., with the later crowd allowed launching at the latter location only.

The teams will use the trolling method, which includes casting numerous lines with hooks and bait from the boat while slowly moving through the water. This method usually attracts a lot of fish, Weaver says. Contestants will be out in the waters between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m.

On determining the best time for fishing, Weaver says the association “looks at the tide and the moon phase during that time frame. We also talk to fishermen to get an idea of which dates would be best.”

The categories are divided by type of fish: billfish, yellowfin, wahoo, mahi mahi and skipjack. There is also a special prize for the team that can catch a marlin weighing more than 942 pounds, which is the current record set in Saipan.

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Photos courtesy of Saipan Fishermen’s Association

Contributed photos

The Filipino community of Saipan celebrated Pistang Pinoy, or Filipino Fiesta on June 10 at the Marianas Business Plaza. The event was presented by the United Filipino Organization CNMI Inc. and sponsored by IT&E, LBC, TSL Foundation and Marianas Business Plaza.

Contributed photos

The Filipino community of Saipan held a flag-raising ceremony on June 12 at Kanoa Resort.

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Contributed photos

Studio 29:11 held a fundraising concept on June 16 at the Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe.

Contributed photos

Barny’s Pizza celebrated its 20th anniversary on June 16 at Saipan World Resort.

For more On The Road photos, visit BRM’s Facebook page. Submit your photos, with a caption, to lifestyleeditor@glimpsesofguam.com.

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